Inside the mind of a master procrastinator | Tim Urban

Inside the mind of a master procrastinator | Tim Urban

Tim Urban knows that procrastination doesn’t make sense, but he’s never been able to shake his habit of waiting until the last minute to get things done. In this hilarious and insightful talk, Urban takes us on a journey through YouTube binges, Wikipedia rabbit holes and bouts of staring out the window — and encourages us to think harder about what we’re really procrastinating on, before we run out of time.

For more from Tim Urban, visit Wait But Why: http://www.waitbutwhy.com/

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50 Comments

  1. Cade Smith on September 16, 2019 at 7:40 pm

    90×52=4,680

    Were there really 4,680 boxes on that screen…?

  2. NavissEtpmocia on September 16, 2019 at 7:40 pm

    This is me. Oh my, I need to send this to everyone I know.

  3. Shreya Vats on September 16, 2019 at 7:41 pm

    What if the monkey is actually the smarter one is seeing the bigger picture, that we’re gonna die one day so he decides to make the most of the time he has?? Humans may call themselves more advanced and civilized but tbh they are kind of ruining the earth on which other living organisms were living their lives without f*king up the earth and ruining it for everybody else.💁

  4. Danny SJ on September 16, 2019 at 7:41 pm

    Everyone is Procrastinating by watching this Video. Go get to work on your homework!

  5. 지아신타미쎌리아 on September 16, 2019 at 7:42 pm

    why is the dark playground coloured with orange? cuz orange is the new black

  6. Archer 1284 on September 16, 2019 at 7:43 pm

    I don’t know what to make of a video about procrastination while I’m procrastinating.

  7. ProCookieOP on September 16, 2019 at 7:45 pm

    is it weird that this was posted 3 years ago and since im procrastinating right now it decided to be in recommended??

  8. Villager on September 16, 2019 at 7:46 pm

    I’m procrastinating right now.

  9. postsilv71 on September 16, 2019 at 7:46 pm

    brilliant talk…my ‘instant gratification monkey’ brought me here..:-D

  10. John Harrington on September 16, 2019 at 7:48 pm

    I’m behind a chapter in history and there is a test tomorrow….It’s 12:00 am…..I’m watching a video about procrastinating WHILE procrastinating…..

  11. Pega Albarracin on September 16, 2019 at 7:49 pm

    watching this because i’m procrastinating

  12. Sugey Repasky on September 16, 2019 at 7:50 pm

    im procrastinating as i watch this…..

  13. Miles Peterson on September 16, 2019 at 7:51 pm

    ah yes, the classic Freudian model: the id, the ego and the panic monster

  14. Vahe Arshakyan on September 16, 2019 at 7:53 pm

    One of the best I’ve seen so far 🙈🙉🙊

  15. Fiona Kaliqani on September 16, 2019 at 7:54 pm

    *when you’re supposed to be doing homework but watch this instead*

  16. Jonathan Medina on September 16, 2019 at 7:56 pm

    Well maybe not today…… and btw I just finished this talk last night .

  17. Cade Smith on September 16, 2019 at 7:57 pm

    Watching this while I should be writing an essay

  18. Sanjith321 on September 16, 2019 at 7:58 pm

    Who else is procrastinating by watching this instead of doing homework

  19. Rafee Adnan on September 16, 2019 at 8:03 pm

    It’s 2:02 am right now while watching this video and I have trig, AP calc, and AP US History homework to do that due tomorrow. Send help pls

  20. SoloTheSlayer on September 16, 2019 at 8:03 pm

    BUG MAN

  21. Prateek Panwar on September 16, 2019 at 8:03 pm

    Who else thought the video is about to end when you they had seen "For more talks visit TED.com"

  22. Lawrence Keenan on September 16, 2019 at 8:03 pm

    It’s called being LAZY 🤡

  23. Sindhu S on September 16, 2019 at 8:03 pm

    The real reason I procrastinate is because i feel overwhelmed initially when i start approaching the work. The amount of summining of context for the work will have to do overwhlemes me and causes anxiety. Browsing on ipad and other random non productive/ leisure activities ameliorate that anxiety.

    However when i decide that i will work only 20mins and no more i find myself finishing the task next moment 😬 20mins you need to convince yourself thats all.

  24. Pato on September 16, 2019 at 8:04 pm

    Anyone such a bad procrastinator that they are about to do something fun and easy but find something else slightly less fun and easy and end up doing that instead

  25. Nole on September 16, 2019 at 8:04 pm

    I’m watching this video instead of doing my paper that’s due in 2 days.

  26. FUDRVCKER on September 16, 2019 at 8:05 pm

    I honestly don’t remember be asked to do or even make this ted talk

  27. Vivian vee on September 16, 2019 at 8:07 pm

    It is with great embarassment that I say that I became this guy😂😂😂

    Senior theisis written in 3weeks

  28. Stray Cat on September 16, 2019 at 8:08 pm

    STOP TALKING ABOUT MY MINDDDD

  29. Max Buchmacher on September 16, 2019 at 8:09 pm

    I feel like my panic monster scares the decision maker away as well… That’s so stupid I often just give up and then the bad thing just happens 🙁

  30. Ville Heikkinen on September 16, 2019 at 8:09 pm

    This has been in my recommended for like 6 months. My life hasnt advanced at all in the last 6 months. Not sure if there is a connection but i think ill look into that next week

  31. Daniel Taylor on September 16, 2019 at 8:10 pm

    1 month before final exams and I’ve hardly started studying…..

  32. Hanna. N. Eaddy on September 16, 2019 at 8:13 pm

    who elese is watching this whilst procrastinating?

  33. rita funmi obaze on September 16, 2019 at 8:14 pm

    Loved this

  34. Viggo Villalobos on September 16, 2019 at 8:15 pm

    I’m watching this at 1:00am and I have homework to do still. Thanks for teaching me about what I’m doing right now lol

  35. Zachary Hurwitz on September 16, 2019 at 8:16 pm

    When ur watching this to avoid doing homework……

  36. Kanley West on September 16, 2019 at 8:18 pm

    Working on my essay now… oh hey what’s on YouTube recommended?

  37. Sandy cohen on September 16, 2019 at 8:22 pm

    Tip: Watch a stupid YouTubed like Morgz. You’ll lose you will to live but you’ll also be bored and do your work!

  38. krithika upadhya on September 16, 2019 at 8:25 pm

    @Tim Urban Totally agree with your wonderful way of understanding how the brain of a procrastinator works..But
    ..wanted to know how to manage/control of the monkey! Wish you could give a detailed Ted talk on that part..

  39. ethecatlady on September 16, 2019 at 8:26 pm

    Whos not a procrastinator, but still watching this video about procrastinators?

    Oh….me
    Am i the only one….

  40. Jason THE MONSTER Blaha on September 16, 2019 at 8:26 pm

    This guy is a pathetic manchild bugman

  41. Stefan Schüttengruber on September 16, 2019 at 8:26 pm

    After 2 years I’ve finally managed to watch this lmao

  42. Eva Mishevska on September 16, 2019 at 8:28 pm

    instead of doing my work guess what im doing…. trying to understand why im not doing it

  43. One Dollar on September 16, 2019 at 8:34 pm

    who else is in the dark playground

  44. Brian Duong on September 16, 2019 at 8:35 pm

    in my brain, there is a monkey and a rational decision maker but they are always fighting with my self but atleast the rational decision maker wins.

  45. Lincoln on September 16, 2019 at 8:36 pm

    me: *has 4 assignments due tomorrow*
    also me: *watches a video on procrastination, organizes all my binders, folders, pencil bag, and my whole back pack while also washing my clothes and about to take a shower*

  46. Felix K. on September 16, 2019 at 8:36 pm

    You know what the problem is? I should do my homework while I’m watching this

  47. EpIc ChEeSe MaN on September 16, 2019 at 8:37 pm

    No joke, I actually watched this video instead of doing my homework. I can do it after probably

  48. Napoleon Bonaparte on September 16, 2019 at 8:38 pm

    My Procrastination brought me to my Waterloo

  49. Corey DOates on September 16, 2019 at 8:38 pm

    2 All nighters!! This guy doesn’t know me, 😂😂

  50. Champ on September 16, 2019 at 8:39 pm

    I have procrastinated watching TED talks so much that i get half of my recommendations in talks that i already have watched…

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