Procrastination—Not all it's put off to be

Although procrastination has devastating negative effects on performance, many of us employ common myth‐like justifications for it, thereby attempting to alleviate the guilt and stress that commonly accompany putting things off when we know we should not. Working better under pressure, being more creative at the last minute, and avoiding tasks because of perfectionism are three rationalizations that we often give for delay. The consequences of procrastination include missed deadlines, health and financial problems, guilt, stress, and work that isn't our best. To overcome a tendency to procrastinate, focusing on avoiding it is not the best response. Instead, adopting a task‐oriented, problem‐solving focus or set of strategies can work even for people with a long history of putting things off. These strategies include increasing the perceived value of a task, adjusting expectations for success, reducing impulsive temptations, and approaching larger projects or those with longer timelines in smaller segments with progress checks along the way. Procrastinators can learn how to change their approach to getting work done and thereby reduce their tendency to delay.