According to traditional thinking – still espoused by university counselling centers around the world, such as the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom and the University of Rochester in the U.S. – procrastinators have a time management problem.
Source: BBC, May 14, 2020. Link. When someone finally recognizes that procrastination isn’t a time management problem but is instead an emotion regulation problem, then they are ready to embrace my favorite tip – “What’s the next action – a simple next step – I would take on this task if I were to get started on it now?” Doing this takes your mind off your feelings and onto easily achievable action.
INSIGHTS: The more important the decision, the more emotion plays the dominant role in decision-making. That explains less important tasks as a procrastination tool.