prokrastinacija

Prokrastinacija, or procrastination, is the voluntary postponement of an intended action despite expecting that delaying will worsen or complicate the outcome. It is a common self-regulation failure that affects individuals across ages and contexts. The term derives from Latin procrastinatio, procrastinare, to put off until tomorrow.

Researchers describe procrastination as influenced by multiple factors, including deficits in self-control and executive function, time-discounting, fear of failure or perfectionism, task aversion, and low motivation. Some scholars distinguish between passive procrastination (delay due to difficulty starting) and active procrastination (deliberate delay used to optimize performance).

Impact and consequences: Procrastination is linked to higher stress, poorer academic or work performance, lower satisfaction, and worse sleep and health outcomes. It can become a recurring habit that reduces productivity and creates cycles of guilt and anxiety.

Management: Interventions include breaking tasks into small steps, setting clear deadlines, implementation intentions ("if-then" plans), time-boxing (Pomodoro), environmental changes to reduce distractions, and accountability mechanisms. Cognitive-behavioral approaches and coaching are sometimes used to address underlying beliefs and motivation.

Terminology and context: Prokrastinacija is the term used in Croatian, Slovenian and other South Slavic languages for procrastination. In psychology the phenomenon is studied as a dimension of self-regulation and as a potential comorbidity with ADHD, anxiety, or depression. For many people it is a common behavior rather than a disorder, though chronic procrastination can impair functioning and well-being.