procrastination
Putting things off
Procrastination is the habit or act of putting off tasks, especially ones that should be done promptly.
The delay is typically voluntary and often irrational—you know you should do it, but you don't: My procrastination on the tax return cost me the early refund.
The word implies avoidance rather than legitimate postponement.
Delay from uncertainty
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- vacillationInability to choose
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
- ditheringProlonged indecisive hesitation
second-guessing · uncertainty · overthinking · fence-sitting · waffling · stalling · deliberating · mulling
Leisurely time-wasting
- dilly-dallyingWasting time indecisively
- lollygaggingAimless time-wasting
- putteringUnhurried aimless activity
- fritteringWasting gradually, carelessly
time-wasting · loafing · foot-dragging · tarrying · lingering · meandering · pottering · shilly-shallying
Delaying to later
- defermentAuthorized delay of obligation
- extensionAdded part or duration
- rescheduleAssign a different time
- adjournmentTemporary suspension of proceedings
lateness · timeline · deadline · last-minute · eleventh-hour · tomorrow · later · eventually
Persistent apprehensive distress
- perfectionismCompulsive pursuit of flawlessness
- overwhelmDefeat by excess
- self-sabotageUndermining your own goals
- guiltMoral self-reproach
shame · regret · stress · panic · paralysis · rumination · self-criticism · motivation
Thing diverting one's attention
- evasionAct of escaping detection
- sidetrackingDiverting from main purpose
- busyworkMeaningless assigned tasks
- displacementRemoval from usual location
escapism · Netflix · scrolling · tangent · detour · excuse-making · rationalization · denial
hesitation
Delay from uncertainty
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- vacillationInability to choose
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
dithering · second-guessing · uncertainty · overthinking · fence-sitting · waffling · stalling · deliberating · mulling · irresolution
dawdling
Leisurely time-wasting
- dilly-dallyingWasting time indecisively
- lollygaggingAimless time-wasting
- putteringUnhurried aimless activity
frittering · time-wasting · loafing · foot-dragging · tarrying · lingering · meandering · pottering · shilly-shallying · laziness
postponement
Delaying to later
- defermentAuthorized delay of obligation
- extensionAdded part or duration
- rescheduleAssign a different time
adjournment · lateness · timeline · deadline · last-minute · eleventh-hour · tomorrow · later · eventually · someday
anxiety
Persistent apprehensive distress
- perfectionismCompulsive pursuit of flawlessness
- overwhelmDefeat by excess
- self-sabotageUndermining your own goals
guilt · shame · regret · stress · panic · paralysis · rumination · self-criticism · motivation · willpower
distraction
Thing diverting one's attention
- evasionAct of escaping detection
- sidetrackingDiverting from main purpose
- busyworkMeaningless assigned tasks
displacement · escapism · Netflix · scrolling · tangent · detour · excuse-making · rationalization · denial · resistance
- college lifefreshman, freshman year, sophomore, junior, classes
- career mistakesburning bridges, job hopping, bad reference, missed deadline, blaming others
- long wordssupercalifragilisticexpialidocious, antidisestablishmentarianism, incomprehensibilities, counterrevolutionary, electroencephalograph
- personal strugglesself-doubt, loneliness, insecurity, anxiety, depression
- productivity killersdistractions, wasted time, multitasking, micromanagement, bottleneck
- teen behavioreye rolling, back talk, backtalk, door slamming, moodiness
procrastinationpromptness
Timeliness as habit
punctuality · timeliness · proactivity · immediacy · haste
procrastinationdiligence
Careful, persistent effort
industriousness · conscientiousness · self-discipline · discipline · determination
procrastinationdecisiveness
Ability to choose firmly
resolve · resolution · initiative · proactiveness · enterprise