Final answer:
Procrastination is the act of delaying or postponing a task, which can lead to a variety of negative outcomes including increased stress and poor performance. It is important to recognize and overcome procrastination by adopting better time management and planning strategies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The act of putting off a task until another time is referred to as procrastination. Procrastination involves delaying or postponing an action or task, often without a valid reason apart from not wanting to do it at that particular time. This behavior can be observed in various scenarios, such as a student leaving their assignment to be completed at the last minute due to procrastination, or someone like Jane, who, despite her supervisor's urgency, indicates she might have to postpone other projects to meet her deadline.
Even with positive intentions, such as planning to use money later like 'saving a $5 bill to buy a sandwich tomorrow', the concept of procrastination holds a negative connotation when it comes to productivity and time management. It can lead to rushed decision-making, increased stress, and poorer performance.
To avoid such consequences, proactive measures can be taken, such as learning from experience to leave home earlier to prevent lateness as mentioned in one of the examples. Ultimately, procrastination is a common challenge that many individuals face, and the key to overcoming it involves recognizing its impact on one's goals and responsibilities.