Procrastination

Procrastination is the avoidance/delaying of accomplishing a task that has to be accomplished.

Causes

- According to Kendra Cherry, MSEd "One of the biggest factors contributing to procrastination is the notion that we have to feel inspired or motivated to work on a task at a particular moment." See also: Motivation

- Self-regulation problems. Some researchers indicate that procrastination is a "form of self-regulation failure characterized by the irrational delay of tasks despite potentially negative consequences."

- Cognitive distortions relating to: how long a task will take (or how much time is left to do a task) or how motivated one will be in the future to do a task.

Procrastination management

- Self-awareness as far as habits and thoughts that lead to procrastinating.

- Avoid perfectionism

- Conquer self-defeating problems such as fear, difficulty in concentrating, poor time management and indecisiveness.

- Set priorities

- Goal setting including the setting of deadlines

- Structure activities of daily life to develop positive habits

- Create an environment which eliminates/reduces distractions

- Increase self-discipline

- Break down projects into smaller tasks

- Track your performance in terms of timely attainment of goals

External links

• What Is Procrastination? by Kendra Cherry, MSEd

• How to Stop Procrastinating: Top Tricks - Reader's Digest

• We're Sorry This Is Late ... We Really Meant To Post It Sooner: Research Into Procrastination Shows Surprising Findings; Gregory Harris; ScienceDaily.com; Jan. 10, 2007

• Why We Procrastinate And How To Stop; ScienceDaily.com; Jan. 12, 2009

Impulse control:

• Look Before You Leap: New Study Examines Self-Control; ScienceDaily.com; June 2, 2008

Motivation

• Integrating Theories of Motivation, Academy of Management Review 2006, Vol. 31, No. 4, 889–913