It’s easy to tell whether you’re a real procrastinator. According to Joseph Ferrari, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at De Paul University in Chicago, real procrastinators tell themselves five lies:

They overestimate the time they have left to perform tasks.

They underestimate the time it takes to complete tasks.

They overestimate how motivated they will feel the next day, the next week, the next month – whenever they are putting things off to.

They mistakenly think that succeeding at a task requires that they feel like doing it.

They mistakenly believe that working when not in the mood is suboptimal.

Procrastinators also actively look for distractions, especially ones that don’t take heavy-duty commitment on their part. Checking e-mail is just about tailor-made for this purpose. The dirty little secret is that procrastinators distract themselves as a way of regulating their own emotions, such as fear of failure. So face it. Some tasks are never going to be thigh-slappers no matter how long they marinate on your desk. You’ve got to do them now.

How to tackle procrastination? Dr. Ferrari recommends these strategies for reducing procrastination:

1. Make a list of everything you have to do.

2. Write a statement of intention.

3. Set realistic goals.

4. Break it down into specific tasks.

5. Make your task meaningful.

6. Promise yourself a reward.

7. Eliminate tasks you never plan to do. Be honest!

8. Estimate the amount of time you think it will take you to complete a task. Then increase the amount by 100%.

Thanks to www.psychologytoday.com for this article. A great site for all sorts of free psychology stuff.

If procrastination is getting in the way of your life, then email
psychology associates for an appointment…..or may be you could put it off till tomorrow when you feel like it…..