This web site provides access to information and research related to procrastination. Although our site originates at Carleton University (Ottawa, Canada), it represents a compilation of information and research on procrastination from all over the world. Are you visiting our website for the first time? Here are some suggestions: The Procrastinator's Digest:  A Concise Guide to Solving the Procrastination Puzzle Check out procrastinatorsdigest.com to learn about Dr. Pychyl's new book! Order a copy from Amazon BLOG - If you want to understand your own procrastination, visit my Don't Delay blog on Psychology Today as this is a very good source of concise summaries of the latest research along with helpful tips and strategies for change. PODCASTS - Weekly updates are back at iProcrastinate Podcasts  RESEARCH - If you want to know about research in the area, you'll find lots of information on this site including a bibliography (see "Research Resources" in the menu above - Updated April 29, 2010). More recent research is highlighted below the cartoon as well.  COMICS - If you want to smile, check out the Carpe Diem comics Some of the most recent are below, and the archive can be found at the link to the right. The latest comic is here. ABOUT DR. PYCHYL - You can learn more about my work here. Recent Research & Publications Wohl, M.J.A., Pychyl, T.A., & Bennet, S.H. (2010). I forgive myself, now I can study: How self-forgiveness for procrastinating can reduce future procrastination. Personality and Individual Differences, 48, 803-808. Abstract In the present study, we examined the association between forgiving the self for a specific instance of procrastination and procrastination on that same task in the future. A sample of 119 first-year University  students (49 male, 70 female) completed measures of procrastination and self-forgiveness immediately  before each of two midterm examinations in their introductory psychology course. Results revealed that  among students who reported high levels of self-forgiveness for procrastinating on studying for the first  examination, procrastination on preparing for the subsequent examination was reduced. This relation- ship was mediated by negative affect, such that increased self-forgiveness reduced procrastination by decreasing negative affect. Results are discussed in relation to the impact of procrastination on self-directed negative affect. Pychyl, T.A. (2009). Savouring the Flavours of Delay. English Studies in Canada. 34(2-3), 25-29. Simpson, W.K., & Pychyl, T.A. (2009). In search of the arousal procrastinator: An investigation of the relation between procrastination, arousal-based personality traits and beliefs about procrastination motivations Personality and Individual Differences, 47, 906-911. Abstract Arousal procrastination was investigated to determine: (a) If the General Procrastination Scale (GP; Lay, 1986) measures procrastination motivated by arousal, and (b) whether sensation seeking (SS), extraversion (E), and the reducer index (R) account for variance in beliefs about the motivation for academic procrastination. Participants were 311 undergraduate students (60.1% female), primarily Caucasian (63.3%), with a mean age of 20.09 (SD = 3.08). An online questionnaire package included measures of procrastination and 3 arousal-based personality inventories. A factor analysis of the GP and the Sensation Seeking Scale-V (SSS-V; Zuckerman, Eysenck, & Eysenck, 1978) produced 6 factors with the GP and SSS-V items loading on separate factors, indicating no relation. A regression analysis revealed that SS, E, and R together accounted for 5.2% of the variance in participants’ arousal-related beliefs motivating their procrastination. These results challenge the existing literature claiming that the GP is a measure of arousal procrastination, but do indicate that some individuals believe that their procrastination is motivated by a need for heightened arousal. The comic below captures these results (see more at Carpe Diem) Dann, M., & Pychyl, T.A. (August 4, 2009). Approach and avoidance personal goals: Goal appraisal profiles, congruence with personality and procrastination. Paper presented at the 6th biennial conference on Counseling the Procrastinator in Academic Settings, Toronto, Ontario.   Sirois, F., Voth, J., & Pychyl, T.A. (August 4, 2009). "I'll look after my health later": A prospective study of the linkages of procrastination to health and well-being in undergraduate students. Paper presented at the 6th biennial conference on Counseling the Procrastinator in Academic Settings, Toronto, Ontario.  Haghbin, M., McCaffrey, A., & Pychyl, T.A. (August 5, 2009).  Structural Equation Modelling of the relation between fear of failure and procrastination. Paper presented at the 6th biennial conference on Counseling the Procrastinator in Academic Settings, Toronto, Ontario.  Heward, E., & Pychyl, T.A. (August 5, 2009). Emotional intelligence, self-control and procrastination. Paper presented at the 6th biennial conference on Counseling the Procrastinator in Academic Settings, Toronto, Ontario.  Abstract In this study, we explored the role of emotional intelligence, the ability to accurately appraise, utilize, and regulate emotions, in relation to self-control and procrastination.  A sample of undergraduate students completed a battery of tests including the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue; Petrides & Furnham, 2003), the emotion regulation questionnaire (ERQ; Gross & John, 2003), Self-Control Schedule (SCS; Rosenbaum & Ben-Ari, 1985) and the Procrastination Assessment Scale for Students (PASS; Solomon & Rothblum, 1984). A mediated model was tested to determine whether the relation between emotional intelligence and procrastination was mediated by self-control. The results are discussed in relation to self-regulation failure and the central role of emotional regulation in this process. The comic below captures these results (see more at Carpe Diem) Shannahan, M.J., & Pychyl, T.A. (2007). An ego identity perspective on volitional action: Identity status, agency, and procrastination. Personality and Individual Differences, 43, 901-911. Speaking of identity and procrastination . . . Carpe Diem captures it! Research Books & Special Issues Counseling the procrastinator in academic settings Edited by H.C. Schouwenburg, C. Lay, T. Pychyl, & J.R. Ferrari American Psychological Association: Washington, DC. (2004) Abstract Procrastination, as a sporadic or chronic response to task engagement, is a pervasive problem for a large number of individuals in many societies. For example, researchers have estimated that in academic settings in North America, over 70% of students exhibit this behavior. Many of these individuals are highly vulnerable to negative consequences such as poor performance, decreased subjective well-being, negative affect, and reduced life achievements. In Counseling the Procrastinator in Academic Settings, a number of recently designed practical counseling methods for use in academic settings are described with the aim of promoting new intervention that can lead to change. In doing so, the authors also present theories of procrastination and provide an overview of recent research. School counselors, psychologists, educators, and administrators will find this book invaluable as they look for ways to counsel others on procrastination, work habits, productivity, and self-regulation. Special Issue - Procrastination: Current Issues and New Directions Journal of Social Behaviour & Personality (Vol. 15, No. 5 - - Joseph R. Ferrari & Timothy A. Pychyl, Editors) About this Special Issue This volume contains 23 articles about both situational and dispositional forms of procrastination. The first section examines Situational Procrastination, particularly academic procrastination. The articles in this section look at personality and individual difference variables, such as self-esteem, perfectionism, and neuroticism; gender comparisons; and different student populations. Other studies on academic procrastination focus on motivational factors, goals, and planning skills. The second section of the issue explores Dispositional Procrastination. Empirical articles cover emotional states associated with procrastination, cognitions and perceptions related to task delays, motivational and attentional aspects of procrastination, and self-deception and optimism aspects of chronic procrastination.	What's new and in the news . . . For information procrastinatorsdigest.com Updated Weekly Psychology Today Blog - "Don't Delay" Updated weekly Check out my audioblog at audioboo.  3-minute "boos" about procrastination (RSS) IN THE NEWS Procrastination: comment s'en sortir? lapressaffaires By Iris Gagnon-Paradis Stop putting so much off Investors.com By Gloria Lau  Procrastinators often use social networks on the job Pittsburgh Tribune Review By Anita Bruzzese Professor links putting off work to fear of failure The Toronto Star By Trish Crawford A paralyzing fear of filing taxes The New York Times By Charles Delafuente Work Psychology: Stop deluding yourself The Globe and Mail By Craig Silverman The popular practice of putting stuff off The New York Times By Alina Tugend Setting New Year's resolutions that work  healthzone.ca By Monique Savin Procrastination: Ten things you should know Psychology Today By Hara Estroof Marano Six Steps to help you beat procrastination and Getting things done Ottawa Citizen by Donna Jacobs How to put work off - Constructively by Cari Tuna The Wall Street Journal (for more on this see the NPR interview below) Interview and call-in with Dr. Tim Pychyl & Dr. John Perry (Stanford)  NPR blog Stop Procrastinating - Right now! GoodHousekeeping Melissa Kirsch Procrastination a Personality Trait Ottawa Citizen Jennifer Campbell Procrastination: The thief of time By Heather Pringle NewScientist Story and Podcast about procrastination in the workplace The ToDo Institute on procrastination Getting out from under - How to stop procrastinating now By Hara Estroof Marano Psychology Today Procrastination 101 The science of putting it off by Jessica Winter The Village Voice Click the stop sign to learn more about dealing with procrastination   Is the to-do list doing you in? By Kathleen McGowan Psychology Today Tomorrow, I Love Ya! Researchers are learning more about chronic dawdlers but see no easy cure for procrastination By Eric Hoover The Chronicle of Higher Education (Subscription required) Procrastination Nation National Public Radio Archived broadcast (RealPlayer or Windows Media Player required)  For a smile . . . Procrastination is . . . Gotta get my stuff done the show with zefrank (Click on the media type you prefer to use)
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