Don't Delay

Wisdom

My Father's Wisdom

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on September 1, 2015

My father has always been a source of wisdom in my life. Most recently, he gave me some of the most important anti-procrastination advice I have ever heard.

My father has always been a source of wisdom in my life. Most recently, he gave me some of the most important anti-procrastination advice I have ever heard.

Procrastination

Media Use, Escapism and Procrastination

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on August 21, 2015

We use media for many purposes including information, entertainment, social interaction and to escape the stresses of daily life. A recent study by a German colleague answers the question: “Is this escapism the same as procrastination?”

We use media for many purposes including information, entertainment, social interaction and to escape the stresses of daily life. A recent study by a German colleague answers the question: “Is this escapism the same as procrastination?”

Procrastination

Why We’re Reluctant to Get Specific

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on August 12, 2015

Do you ever put off doing the thing that would decrease your procrastination? An aversion to planning or adequately specifying what you need to do may be the problem.

Do you ever put off doing the thing that would decrease your procrastination? An aversion to planning or adequately specifying what you need to do may be the problem.

Procrastination

Where Did The Summer Go?

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on September 16, 2014

While all procrastination is delay, not all delay is procrastination. New research has defined six types of delay. What kind of delay do you experience most?

While all procrastination is delay, not all delay is procrastination. New research has defined six types of delay. What kind of delay do you experience most?

Procrastination

Pre-crastination: What Is It, You Ask?

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on June 6, 2014

Is pre-crastination, like its namesake, “procrastination,” another example of a suboptimal choice? In a recent series of studies, researchers posed a simple question: "Would people naturally prefer to pick up an object that could be carried a short distance rather than an object that would have to be carried a long distance?" The answer will surprise you.

Is pre-crastination, like its namesake, “procrastination,” another example of a suboptimal choice? In a recent series of studies, researchers posed a simple question: "Would people naturally prefer to pick up an object that could be carried a short distance rather than an object that would have to be carried a long distance?" The answer will surprise you.

Procrastination

The Role of Goal Focus in Reducing Procrastination

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on May 27, 2014

If we want to overcome procrastination, is it more important to focus on the means of goal pursuit (i.e., how we will do a task) or to focus on the outcome of the task (i.e., the possible reward)? It depends.

If we want to overcome procrastination, is it more important to focus on the means of goal pursuit (i.e., how we will do a task) or to focus on the outcome of the task (i.e., the possible reward)? It depends.

Procrastination

Preparedness Procrastination

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on May 7, 2014

One of my hobbies is amateur radio. I’m a “ham.” This week, amateur radio enthusiasts are marking Preparedness Week in Canada. Given how often I hear people talk about preparedness while doing not too much of anything, I think it might be better to co-celebrate Preparedness Week with National Procrastination Week. What might account for preparedness procrastination?

One of my hobbies is amateur radio. I’m a “ham.” This week, amateur radio enthusiasts are marking Preparedness Week in Canada. Given how often I hear people talk about preparedness while doing not too much of anything, I think it might be better to co-celebrate Preparedness Week with National Procrastination Week. What might account for preparedness procrastination?

Procrastination

Procrastination: Blame It On My Genes

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on April 25, 2014

A recent behavioral genetics study revealed that procrastination is moderately heritable, and that genetically it was not separable from impulsivity. Does this mean that impulsivity is the cause of procrastination? No, not at all. It’s all about goal-management ability.

A recent behavioral genetics study revealed that procrastination is moderately heritable, and that genetically it was not separable from impulsivity. Does this mean that impulsivity is the cause of procrastination? No, not at all. It’s all about goal-management ability.

Procrastination

Learning Disabilities and Academic Procrastination

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on March 28, 2014

Students with learning disabilities face special frustrations with academic tasks. They report stress, anxiety, self-doubt, diminished persistence, lower expectations for success and negative emotions associated with school work. Of course, procrastination may also be a problem. A new study explores procrastination in relation to students with learning disabilities.

Students with learning disabilities face special frustrations with academic tasks. They report stress, anxiety, self-doubt, diminished persistence, lower expectations for success and negative emotions associated with school work. Of course, procrastination may also be a problem. A new study explores procrastination in relation to students with learning disabilities.

“I’ll feel more like it tomorrow.” How often have you said that? Present self doesn’t feel like it, but certainly future self will. Why do we do this? Is it true?

Procrastination

Procrastination: Why Mindfulness Is Crucial

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on March 12, 2014

In a recent paper, some colleagues wrote, “The connection between mindfulness and improved emotion regulation is certainly an intuitive one…” I agree. What seems less intuitive to many people is how these also connect to our procrastination. In fact, I think understanding this is the central thing we need to understand about procrastination.

In a recent paper, some colleagues wrote, “The connection between mindfulness and improved emotion regulation is certainly an intuitive one…” I agree. What seems less intuitive to many people is how these also connect to our procrastination. In fact, I think understanding this is the central thing we need to understand about procrastination.

Motivation

New Year's Resolutions: Ringing in the New with the Old

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on December 31, 2013

One of my thesis students is in her last day of data collection. She has been out on the streets requesting brief interviews with people. Her questions revolve around new year’s resolutions. Do you make them? If so, what are they this year? How successful were you last year? Do you have a plan along with a goal?

One of my thesis students is in her last day of data collection. She has been out on the streets requesting brief interviews with people. Her questions revolve around new year’s resolutions. Do you make them? If so, what are they this year? How successful were you last year? Do you have a plan along with a goal?

Procrastination

Breathe, Count: This is a Basic Volitional Strategy

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on November 1, 2013

Inhale, count 1. Exhale, count 2. Continue until you reach 10. Do you ever use this strategically to decrease procrastination? You should.

Inhale, count 1. Exhale, count 2. Continue until you reach 10. Do you ever use this strategically to decrease procrastination? You should.

I’ve gotta get this done. I’m going to try and do that tomorrow. Both of these statements signal upcoming problems for really getting things done.

Addiction

How not to Be Pavlov's Dog

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on October 24, 2013

“I couldn’t help it. I can resist everything except temptation” (Oscar Wilde).
“Those who restrain desire do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained” (William Blake). What do we know about individual differences in resisting temptation?

“I couldn’t help it. I can resist everything except temptation” (Oscar Wilde).
“Those who restrain desire do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained” (William Blake). What do we know about individual differences in resisting temptation?

Health

You Can Develop Desired Health Behaviors

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on October 4, 2013

How do we develop more healthy habits?

How do we develop more healthy habits?

My personal mantra for fending off procrastination is "just get started." Here's a short post by a professional coach that explains how and why this is so important.

Procrastination helps creative thinking. You might come back to it with a fresher approach if you procrastinate. These are two of 13 positive beliefs that some chronic procrastinators reported. There are some negative beliefs as well. A paradox? The truth?

Procrastination

Intentional Procrastination or Procrastinating on Intentions

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on September 24, 2013

My annual physical was in July. My doctor gave me a requisition for blood work. It's almost October and I haven't done that yet. Is this procrastination?

My annual physical was in July. My doctor gave me a requisition for blood work. It's almost October and I haven't done that yet. Is this procrastination?

The problem with self-control is that we are usually paying now for a reward later. The consequence is that we discount future rewards and give in to feel good now. How can we learn to delay gratification? Here’s some new research that might help.