‘There is hope’: expert writes guide to tackling procrastination

Do you think about tackling your Procrastination but, you know, dog videos, shopping lists, catching up on social media, and the last ever episode of Neighbours with Mike?

A professor at Durham University is trying to help others. Fuschia Sirois has been studying procrastination for 20 years and has heard many heartbreaking stories that she is now publishing a research-based self-help guide.

People whose lives are crippled by Procrastination, they can't move ahead with their goals, it's taking a toll on their health and they are just desperate for any sort of advice."

She said that there is a lot of advice and opinions on the subject. Go do a time-management course and show your self- discipline.

Procrastination needs to be better understood to tackle the problem. They need to be kind to themselves and not beat themselves up about being late.

Procrastination among students is worryingly high according to Sirois. Around 80% of new students Procrastination is estimated, but around 50% of students chronically Procrastination is a real problem.

15% to 25% of people in the wider adult population often Procrastinate.

Some researchers argue that the benefits of positive Procrastination are overstated. Sirois said that the definition of Procrastination is that you unnecessarily and voluntarily delay an important intended task. Can that be a positive thing?

Sirois said that the act is an irrational and emotional one. Procrastination is a type of emotion regulation where sufferers avoid a task that might spark negative emotions by disengaging with it or putting it off.

Sirois said that harsh judgement was not the solution and that people need to know that they are not lazy.

Procrastination is caused by not being able to manage our emotions internally. We are able to manage them outside. We get an immediate feeling of relief when we put that task aside.

It is going to haunt us when we do it again.

One of the reasons Sirois wanted to write the book was to help people find ways of getting out of the cycle of Procrastination.

Stress, anxiety and shame can be caused by chronic Procrastination.

People who suffer have less job security. insomnia and headaches can be caused by it.

Sirois saidProcrastination is not a trivial issue. It can have a big impact on a person's life. It doesn't have to be that way, there are ways to address it and there is hope for those caught in a pattern of chronic Procrastination

My hope is that sharing my expertise via a practical self-help book will help people overcome their problems and fulfill their dreams.

The American Psychological Association published a book called Procrastination: What it is, why it is a problem and what you can do about it.

Famous procrastinators

The Hunchback of Notre Dame was written by Victor Hugo in the early 19th century. After lots of entertaining and pursuing other projects, the book was not finished. Hugo came up with a plan in which he locked away his formal clothes and left himself with a shawl. Two weeks later, it was finished.

The author of The Handmaid's Tale put off writing the novel for three years. She wants to give herself a double identity so she can do laundry and she also wants Margaret to stop using her social media accounts.

The motto for all procrastinators was created by Saint Augustine of Hippo. He asked God to give him chastity and temperance. Bob Dylan once dreamed he saw him, after he gave up his hedonistic ways.

Douglas Adams doesn't like to write. The Hitchhikers Guide to the GALAXY author loves deadlines. They make a whooshing sound as they pass by. An editor thought of locking him in a hotel room for three weeks and sending him food and drink to make up for not finishing his book.