A recent study by the Shapeways Insights team highlights the negative effects of procrastination, including poor decision making and prolonged datelessness. The team followed around a group of subjects between the ages of 18 and 45 over the course of their adult lives to track their procrastination patterns, avoidance behaviors, and excuse generation abilities. The researchers were particularly interested in understanding the correlation between procrastination and happiness.

In summary, the team found that “procrastinators” were less happy, corroborating research conducted by Steel (2007).

Procrastinators were far more likely than Planners to get ridiculous and ill-advised gifts for their loved ones during the Valentine’s Day season; though, several Planners gave the same gifts but noted their ironic undertones. Similarly, Procrastinators were far more likely than Planners to break-up around Valentine’s Day, or worse, spend countless hours procrastinating other tasks in the hopes of winning back their partners.

Planners, by contrast, had perfectly wonderful lives and continued relationship bliss. Some Planners (30%) experienced continued stress throughout their adult life, but anecdotal evidence showed that this stress was likely caused by periods of Internet downtime when planning tools like Google Calendar could not be accessed.

The study was global in nature, which allowed the researchers to explore the cultural dynamics of procrastination. Interestingly, the breakdown of Procrastinators and Planners was equally distributed across countries.

The Shapeways Insights team offered some prescriptive solutions to break the procrastination cycle. They urge concerned citizens to use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to “tap into your inner Planner.” They explained in a recent NY Times interview:

“In
an attempt to save the world from widespread break-up chaos (e.g.,
romantic comedy marathons), we’d like to
encourage everyone to stop whatever they are doing and plan for
Valentine’s Day immediately. To help, we’ve assembled a lineup of
beautiful 3D printed gifts.

Order by Jan 31st! Every gift is created on demand. Share the 3D love and revive the Planner in you.”

Those interested in learning more about procrastination avoidance techniques can follow Shapeways on twitter.

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Note: This study was conducted in the future, and thus all findings are
purely illustrative. Shapeways does not endorse or support the use of
falsified research, unless it results in the amusement of its community members.