Don't Delay

Procrastination

I'll Feel More Like It Tomorrow

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on March 31, 2012

"Tomorrow - A mystical land where 98 percent of all human productivity, motivation and achievement is stored." (Unknown) Ah, tomorrow, what promise it holds . . . at least that's what we want to believe.

"Tomorrow - A mystical land where 98 percent of all human productivity, motivation and achievement is stored." (Unknown) Ah, tomorrow, what promise it holds . . . at least that's what we want to believe.

Procrastination

Due Tomorrow. Do Tomorrow.

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on February 20, 2012

The problem for some of us is that these mean the same thing. Why do I think I'll feel more like doing it tomorrow? Why do I procrastinate?

The problem for some of us is that these mean the same thing. Why do I think I'll feel more like doing it tomorrow? Why do I procrastinate?

Cognition

How to Flip It "Bright Side Up"

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on February 19, 2012

What's one thing you could do right now to be happier?

What's one thing you could do right now to be happier?

Procrastination

Why Teachers Shouldn't Reward Bullsh*t

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on January 27, 2012

Students procrastinate. Teachers know it, students do too. The thing is, teachers can reinforce procrastination and undermine motivation. Here's a student's account of how this happens.

Students procrastinate. Teachers know it, students do too. The thing is, teachers can reinforce procrastination and undermine motivation. Here's a student's account of how this happens.

Personality

What Will You Do? What Would We Predict?

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on January 23, 2012

The honest answer to this question is, "it depends." However, far too often we're led to believe, or we'd like to believe, that someone can actually predict what we'll do. Although it's true we're like all other people in some respects, we're also like no other person.

The honest answer to this question is, "it depends." However, far too often we're led to believe, or we'd like to believe, that someone can actually predict what we'll do. Although it's true we're like all other people in some respects, we're also like no other person.

Relationships

If a Job Is Worth Doing, . . .

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on December 19, 2011

You probably filled in the rest of this sentence. Here's a new twist on an old expression that may just help you make more of the opportunities in your life.

You probably filled in the rest of this sentence. Here's a new twist on an old expression that may just help you make more of the opportunities in your life.

Procrastination

Awareness: A Key Piece in the Procrastination Puzzle

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on December 7, 2011

It is well known that mindfulness is an important coping resource. Did you know that there are a number of sub-components to mindfulness? One of these is more highly related to reduced procrastination than the others.

It is well known that mindfulness is an important coping resource. Did you know that there are a number of sub-components to mindfulness? One of these is more highly related to reduced procrastination than the others.

Procrastination

The Power of a Plan

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on November 17, 2011

A recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology along with new features on smart phones may mean a lot less thinking and more timely doing!

A recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology along with new features on smart phones may mean a lot less thinking and more timely doing!

I recently delivered an invited talk for an authors' series around the theme of "unnecessary illusions and truth." The theme fit what I've learned about procrastination over the past decade. Here are 10 illusions about procrastination with relevant research that challenges each.

Procrastination

What Do Procrastinators Think?

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on September 29, 2011

What we think about matters. The experience of frequent procrastination-related thoughts contributes to increased psychological distress.

What we think about matters. The experience of frequent procrastination-related thoughts contributes to increased psychological distress.

Self-Control

Self-Control and Fatty-Food Consumption

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on September 24, 2011

We have an evolved preference for fatty foods, but in today's world we need to resist these consumption urges. A new study reveals the role of executive function in this self-restraint.

We have an evolved preference for fatty foods, but in today's world we need to resist these consumption urges. A new study reveals the role of executive function in this self-restraint.

Procrastination

Why Do I Clean Out My Fridge?

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on August 20, 2011

Have you ever wondered why you end up cleaning out your fridge rather than writing a report. You could put off the report and go and have some fun instead. At a recent conference, my colleague proposed an answer.

Have you ever wondered why you end up cleaning out your fridge rather than writing a report. You could put off the report and go and have some fun instead. At a recent conference, my colleague proposed an answer.

It's often the case we want things now for which we do not have the money. Credit solves this problem. Credit can create problems too. So it is with procrastination.

Procrastination

Debt-Ceiling Procrastination?

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on July 28, 2011

I just finished a NPR Marketplace Morning Report interview about the apparent procrastination around approving a required rise in the debt ceiling. The thing is, this isn't procrastination.

I just finished a NPR Marketplace Morning Report interview about the apparent procrastination around approving a required rise in the debt ceiling. The thing is, this isn't procrastination.

Procrastination

Procrastination and Performance in Online Learning

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on July 10, 2011

Do you spend time learning online? This new study on procrastination, learner participation in online discussions and course performance may interest you. There are certainly good suggestions for educators.

Do you spend time learning online? This new study on procrastination, learner participation in online discussions and course performance may interest you. There are certainly good suggestions for educators.

The links between executive functioning and procrastination.

Procrastination

Are You Procrastinating on Financial Matters?

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on June 21, 2011

Got 3 minutes to learn about how procrastination affects our financial lives?

Got 3 minutes to learn about how procrastination affects our financial lives?

Free Will

Free Won't: It May Be All That We Have (or Need)

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on June 20, 2011

There's lots of research evidence demonstrating that many of our actions are not initiated consciously. Perhaps it's not a matter of free will, but "free won't," and this matters in terms of procrastination.

There's lots of research evidence demonstrating that many of our actions are not initiated consciously. Perhaps it's not a matter of free will, but "free won't," and this matters in terms of procrastination.

Procrastination

Do You Do What You Say You'll Do?

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on May 27, 2011

To what extent do you keep your promises to yourself even if later on you don't feel like doing what you had promised yourself to do? A recent study reveals the predictive power of say-do correspondence in relation to procrastination.

To what extent do you keep your promises to yourself even if later on you don't feel like doing what you had promised yourself to do? A recent study reveals the predictive power of say-do correspondence in relation to procrastination.

Procrastination

He Had a Year to Do It in

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on May 13, 2011

If you have ever put a task off—particularly a task that just never seemed to go away, or one that never got done—you'll enjoy this poem, "He Had a Year to Do It in." Some laughter for this Friday the 13th!

If you have ever put a task off—particularly a task that just never seemed to go away, or one that never got done—you'll enjoy this poem, "He Had a Year to Do It in." Some laughter for this Friday the 13th!