The second study, Alex, was done on groups of people who *purposefully* put off work to work under pressure, whether their decision to do so was conscious or subconscious.

What I am saying is that this group of people does not include *all* people forced to work under pressure.

The study shows a correlation between *procrastinators* and their work, but 1) does not prove causation, and 2) does not address people who are *not* procrastinators.

Let’s say you find someone who typically always does their work on time, steadily, and often finishes before the deadline because he begins working from the word go.

Studies show that THIS person, suddenly forced into a problem situation (ie, “Hang on! The client’s totally changed his or her mind! Stop everything! Start over – and we need to have something to show today!”) achieves more creative solutions and ideas, often producing better work.

This is NOT the same person as the procrastinator mentioned in your studies, which were very specific.

This is what I’m saying: Strict time limits does not create lesser quality work. Self-enforced strict time limits MAY (not DOES, but MAY) create lesser quality work. There’s a huge world of difference going on here.

James Chartrand – Men with Pens´s last blog post…Getting Zen About Writing

And sorry for my imprecise language – my sinus infection is making me dull today.

In the study I quote the idea isn’t that some people work better under pressure, it’s that they only work under pressure, meaning that yes they do work better I suppose because they need the adrenaline rush to get them going enough to get things done.

Which I guess is what you’re saying – you get creative when you’re pressed because your energy levels rise. And there I have my answer – in my case I get less creative when I feel pressure and you feel more creative because of that rush.

Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog post…Addicted to Downloading: Procrastinating with eBooks

Remember, the article says—”Growing body of research.”

I picked that link because it was a good wrap-up, but do a search and you can dig in to the growing body. I’ve read a few articles in the last year or two discussing the illusion of better work under pressure.

Of course, it won’t apply to everyone, and Men With Pens are above suspicion, but “…procrastinators usually perform more poorly than nonprocrastinators, even when he controlled for intelligence. They also perform more slowly and less accurately when carrying out difficult cognitive tasks under time constraints” is pretty strong words—and yes, it does imply lower quality.

Later,

Kelly

Kelly´s last blog post…Inspiration Points: I’m a Little Over Par This Round, but Next Year, Watch Out!

Also, be careful of key words. The article states, “Procrastinators may…” Yes. They may. This means they might and they might not.

And, the article states, “Procrastinators completed less of a task than nonprocrastinators when given a strict time limit…” This does not mean that a strict time limit produces less quality overall. It states that procrastinators – people who deliberately avoid undertaking a task until the last minute – do less well. The nonprocrastinators – people who do NOT put off work – had the same strict time limit, from what I understand, did not produce less quality work.

So the article/research/study may not prove anything at all, save that procrastinators have issues with their fears.

Critical thinking, people. Critical thinking.

I’ve read that lately, also, so when James asked, I went looking…

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20030319-000001.html

It’s a quick, insightful commentary on last-minute work and research on its effects.

Later,

Kelly

Kelly´s last blog post…Win Win Win Win Win

I’ve decided the moaning and wailing is my way of getting the creative juices flowing.

Now a question for the majority of under pressure types – research has shown that the better work under pressure thing is actually a myth, so what is it about the last-minute pressure that makes you think you do better work?

As I said, doing it last minute means fewer opportunities to review and make it better – a major plus for the do it early side.

What would you say is the major benefit (other than the adrenaline rush) of doing it at the last minute?

Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog post…Addicted to Downloading: Procrastinating with eBooks