Results for “what is procrastination” · retrieved September 22, 2026
Procrastination is the voluntary and unnecessary delay of an intended task despite knowing that the postponement will likely result in negative consequences.
Procrastination is often characterized as a failure in self-regulation rather than simple laziness. It involves choosing immediate gratification or mood relief over long-term goals, even when the individual is aware that the delay will likely lead to negative consequences. This behavior is frequently driven by factors such as fear of failure, anxiety, perfectionism, or the perception that a task is unpleasant or complex. While it provides short-term emotional relief, it is often associated with increased stress, guilt, and reduced well-being over time.
Answer details
Self-Regulation Failure
It is widely considered a form of self-regulation failure where individuals prioritize immediate mood repair or gratification over long-term responsibilities.
Emotional Avoidance
People often procrastinate to avoid negative emotions like anxiety, fear of failure, or the discomfort associated with tasks they find boring or complex.
Perfectionism and Fear
Procrastination is frequently linked to perfectionism, where individuals avoid tasks to escape the potential judgment of others or the fear of not performing well.
Negative Consequences
Chronic procrastination is associated with significant negative outcomes, including increased stress, lower productivity, and various health issues like poor sleep and anxiety.
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About this answerPROCRASTINATION | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
Add to word list Add to word list...the act of delaying something that must be done, often because it is unpleasant or boring:...This is no time for procrastination - we need decisive action.Delaying and wasting time
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Procrastination
Procrastination is an avoidance coping behavior that involves unnecessarily delaying or postponing something despite knowing that there could be negative consequences for doing so. It is a human experience resulting from internal stress that leads to delaying everyday chores or even putting off tasks such as attending an appointment, submitting a job report or academic assignment, or broaching a stressful issue with a partner. It is often perceiv
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PROCRASTINATION definition | Cambridge English Dictionary
the act of delaying something that must be done, often because it is unpleasant or boring: This is no time for procrastination - we need decisive action. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases Delaying and wasting time
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What Is Procrastination?
- Procrastination means putting off tasks until the last minute, despite knowing it will cause stress later.- Breaking down tasks into small steps makes them easier to start and finish.- Making a to-do list with due dates can help you stay on track and get things done....Procrastination involves delaying important tasks despite knowing it may lead to stress or negative outcomes. It's commonly linked to poor self-regulation rather than laziness, a
July 2, 2026
Procrastination
Everyone puts things off sometimes, but procrastinators chronically avoid difficult tasks and may deliberately look for distractions. Procrastination tends to reflect a person’s struggles with self-control. For habitual procrastinators, who represent approximately 20 percent of the population, "I don't feel like it" comes to take precedence over their goals or responsibilities, setting them on a downward spiral of negative emotions that further d
March 10, 2026
Procrastination | Counseling and Psychological Services
Procrastination is the act of putting off something until a later time. We procrastinate when we know what to do, but put off doing it until later. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and guilt. It can also leave us feeling unproductive, lazy, and ineffectual. In others words, it can affect the way we feel about ourselves. Everyone procrastinates sometimes, but all of us have areas in our lives in which we don’t procrastinate. We tend to shine i
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PROCRASTINATE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
- procrastinates, present (3rd person singular) - procrastinated, past participle, past - procrastinating present participle 1. to defer action; delay. > to procrastinate until an opportunity is lost....- procrastinates, present (3rd person singular) - procrastinated, past participle, past - procrastinating present participle 1. to put off till another day or time; defer; delay. Synonyms:...: postpone, prolong procrastinate British / prə-, pr
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Procrastination and Stress: A Conceptual Review of Why ...
Whether viewed as an occasional behaviour or a chronic behavioural tendency, procrastination is a common form of self-regulation failure that is linked to negative outcomes. Procrastination is often defined as the voluntary and unnecessary delay in the start or completion of important and intended tasks despite recognising there will be harmful consequences for oneself and others for doing so [1,2]. Yet, the harms from procrastination are not lim
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