Procrastinatio

Procrastinatio is the tendency to delay tasks or decisions despite expecting to be worse off for doing so. The term derives from Latin procrastinatio, from procrastinatus “put off until tomorrow.” In contemporary usage, procrastination is the standard English term, while procrastinatio appears in scholarly Latin or historical discussions.

Causes of procrastinatio include time inconsistency, task aversion, fear of failure, perfectionism, low self-efficacy, and poor time management. Environmental distractions and competing priorities often amplify the tendency, and the same individual may procrastinate on some tasks while acting promptly on others.

Scholarly discussions identify subtypes such as emotional avoidance, where tasks are postponed to manage negative feelings, and decisional procrastination, where choices are delayed. Some researchers also describe active procrastinators, who delay deliberately but still complete tasks on time, contrasting with passive procrastinators who postpone until deadlines create crises.

Consequences commonly associated with procrastinatio include lower task quality, reduced productivity, and heightened stress or guilt. While brief or strategically placed delays can occasionally boost motivation or creativity, sustained procrastinatio is generally linked to negative outcomes for performance and well-being.

Measurement often relies on self-report scales such as the Procrastination Assessment Scale or other instruments that assess frequency, reasons, and consequences of delaying. Interventions focus on time management, implementation intentions, cognitive-behavioral techniques, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and altering the work environment to reduce temptations and distractions.