Don't Delay

Procrastination

Resistance Can Control Us

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on June 16, 2022

Our thoughts can be our own worst enemy when it comes to goal pursuit. We think of many reasons not to act as we intended. How can we escape?

Our thoughts can be our own worst enemy when it comes to goal pursuit. We think of many reasons not to act as we intended. How can we escape?

Procrastination

"Wash Your Bowl": Insight on Procrastination From a Koan

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on May 17, 2022

Here’s what I think is the most important insight about procrastination. It changed my life.

Here’s what I think is the most important insight about procrastination. It changed my life.

Procrastination

How Mindfulness Can Reduce Procrastination

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on April 1, 2022

Our minds have never been so distracted and procrastination so problematic as in this digital age. Fortunately, the solution is only a breath away. Let’s simply begin again.

Our minds have never been so distracted and procrastination so problematic as in this digital age. Fortunately, the solution is only a breath away. Let’s simply begin again.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

COVID-19 and Fear in Our Children

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on June 5, 2020

Is the fear of others a potential effect of COVID-19 physical distancing and social isolation? Many parents are worried about their children’s development.

Is the fear of others a potential effect of COVID-19 physical distancing and social isolation? Many parents are worried about their children’s development.

Procrastination

The Coronavirus and Travel Procrastination

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on March 9, 2020

As my wife contemplates travel for work and holidays, she’s suffering from what she calls “corona-astinating.” Is it procrastination or a wise delay?

As my wife contemplates travel for work and holidays, she’s suffering from what she calls “corona-astinating.” Is it procrastination or a wise delay?

Procrastination

Negative Emotions Today Predict Procrastination Tomorrow

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on March 4, 2020

New research demonstrates that how we feel today predicts procrastination tomorrow, but adaptive strategies could help increase productivity.

New research demonstrates that how we feel today predicts procrastination tomorrow, but adaptive strategies could help increase productivity.

Procrastination

Do To-Do Lists Work?

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on February 26, 2020

Our recent study revealed lower procrastination with to-do list use, but it depends on list type and personality.

Our recent study revealed lower procrastination with to-do list use, but it depends on list type and personality.

Procrastination

A Volitional Resource to Defeat Procrastination: Meaning

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on June 24, 2019

Not able to get stuff done? Procrastinating? Finding more meaning in your tasks and life may help you get going.

Not able to get stuff done? Procrastinating? Finding more meaning in your tasks and life may help you get going.

Motivation

Procrastination: Motivation Deficit vs. Regulation Failure

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on June 12, 2019

Is your procrastination a problem with selecting the wrong goals – a lack of intrinsic interest – or is it a problem with self-regulation?

Is your procrastination a problem with selecting the wrong goals – a lack of intrinsic interest – or is it a problem with self-regulation?

Procrastination

The Dominance Of Emotions In Our Lives

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on April 11, 2019

People spend a lot of time thinking, believing that reason rules. However, if you want to understand the human condition, emotion should be your focus.

People spend a lot of time thinking, believing that reason rules. However, if you want to understand the human condition, emotion should be your focus.

Procrastination

I'll Feel More Like It Tomorrow

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on March 13, 2019

Sticking to our exercise intentions is tough. Too often our present self puts off the workout, believing that our future self is more motivated. Here's why.

Sticking to our exercise intentions is tough. Too often our present self puts off the workout, believing that our future self is more motivated. Here's why.

Procrastination

Do Neurotic Extraverts Procrastinate More?

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on March 12, 2019

Emotionally intense people can swing between highly positive and highly negative emotions. Does this affect procrastination? I think it does.

Emotionally intense people can swing between highly positive and highly negative emotions. Does this affect procrastination? I think it does.

Procrastination

Precrastination, Revisited

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on March 1, 2019

As the CEO—Chief Excrement Officer—around our farm, I’ve learned something about the notion of precrastination and how it relates to procrastination.

As the CEO—Chief Excrement Officer—around our farm, I’ve learned something about the notion of precrastination and how it relates to procrastination.

ADHD

ADHD and Academic Procrastination: A Success Story

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on December 29, 2018

Although ADHD in children is typically associated with academic difficulties and procrastination, there is hope! Here's a success story and the strategies that made a difference.

Although ADHD in children is typically associated with academic difficulties and procrastination, there is hope! Here's a success story and the strategies that made a difference.

Procrastination

Trying Versus Doing

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on December 21, 2018

Did you try to put on your pants this morning, or did you put on your pants?

Did you try to put on your pants this morning, or did you put on your pants?

Sleep

How Sleep and Self-Control Relate to Wasting Time at Work

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on November 8, 2018

Sleep quality is related to many important health outcomes, but this recent study shows that it’s also related to wasting time at work, at least for those low in self-control.

Sleep quality is related to many important health outcomes, but this recent study shows that it’s also related to wasting time at work, at least for those low in self-control.

ADHD

ADHD and Procrastination

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on September 6, 2018

An update on the most recent research exploring the relation between ADHD and procrastination.

An update on the most recent research exploring the relation between ADHD and procrastination.

Procrastination

The Neural Signature of Procrastination

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on August 26, 2018

Using fMRI, researchers reveal brain differences related to action control and procrastination. Not surprisingly, it’s all about emotion.

Using fMRI, researchers reveal brain differences related to action control and procrastination. Not surprisingly, it’s all about emotion.

Self-Control

An Essential Self-Regulation Strategy

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on August 20, 2018

Unable to resist cravings, we believe we’re weak-willed and that more effort is required. It's not. The key is understanding how we mis-regulate, not under-regulate, ourselves.

Unable to resist cravings, we believe we’re weak-willed and that more effort is required. It's not. The key is understanding how we mis-regulate, not under-regulate, ourselves.

Procrastination

Too Soon? A Little More Delay Might Have Been a Good Idea

Timothy A Pychyl Ph.D. on March 22, 2018

Can an author successfully write a book that is both an apology and an apologia for procrastination?

Can an author successfully write a book that is both an apology and an apologia for procrastination?