Putting it off until tomorrow may have its rewards

For those of us whose procrastination is simply a bad habit, the site offers self-help strategies for staying on track, taken from Procrastination and Task Avoidance: Theory, Research and Treatment by Ferrari, Johnson & McCown, 1995. The suggestions include making lists, setting realistic goals, doubling the amount of time you think a task will require, and rewarding yourself for getting through the task.

In extreme cases, intervention may be needed. Some of the treatments that have been successful include behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. The latter is thought to be most effective in cases where maladaptive patterns learned in childhood have been carried into adulthood and are contributing to or causing the problem. In those who are resistant to change, paradoxical or confrontational interventions may help.

The PRG site offers a bountiful list of citations, a suggested reading list, and links to related web sites. If you are interested in more information on procrastination, this is an excellent starting point. Also, it's a great place to visit whenever you need to avoid the more pressing task at hand.

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