Professor Fuschia Sirois, a globally renowned expert in the psychology of procrastination in our Department of Psychology, has distilled her game-changing insights into a new book to help procrastinators understand the issue, and how to tackle it.

The root of procrastination

Most people would admit to procrastinating every now and again. However, for some it becomes a chronic issue impacting on their health, well-being, and career, which can result in stress, anxiety, shame, and even illness.

But what causes people to procrastinate, for some to a damaging extent?

Professor Sirois argues that contrary to some assumptions, procrastination is not rooted in laziness, or poor time-management. It’s rooted in emotion regulation difficulties.

Procrastinators avoid or delay a task that might spark negative emotions for them, helping to regulate those emotions, at least momentarily.

Expert help in your hands

Now, Professor Sirois has published a new research-based guide for procrastinators, with practical strategies to help them stop delaying, get on with tasks and fulfil their potential.

Procrastination: What it is, why it’s a problem and what you can do about it is published by the prestigious American Psychological Association, and offers evidence-based hope for anyone who finds that procrastination is negatively impacting on their life.

The book eschews harsh judgements and instead guides sufferers to have more self-compassion and develop an understanding of the negative emotions that are leading to their procrastination.

It also provides practical approaches that sufferers can use to address their procrastination. 

Asked about Professor Sirois' new book, Professor Adam Grant PhD from the University of Pennsylvania said: 

No one on the planet knows more about procrastination than Fuschia Sirois – her ground-breaking research has transformed how we understand its roots and remedies. Postpone reading it as your own risk.

Professor Sirois’ hope is that through sharing her expertise, procrastinators the world over can start to overcome the problem and fulfil their dreams and goals.

Find out more:

• Find out more about Professor Sirois
• Read more about Procrastination; What it is, why it’s a problem and what you can do about it