Social scientist Itamar Shatz, a lecturer at Cambridge University, released a new book in August 2026 titled "Solving Procrastination: The Science of Why We Put Things Off and How to (Finally!) Stop." The publication examines the reasons individuals delay tasks and provides methods for managing the behavior, which Shatz argues is a historically common struggle rather than a modern phenomenon.
The research identifies procrastination as the brain's method of avoiding immediate pain or discomfort by pursuing more pleasurable activities, such as scrolling through social media instead of sending a difficult email. While often associated with laziness, the behavior is frequently driven by other factors, including perfectionism. Procrastination can affect common activities like sleeping and choosing lunch, as well as goals like passion projects or new hobbies.
Shatz notes that signs of procrastination include waiting until the last minute for deadlines, taking an excessive amount of time to finish a task, or struggling to start. However, not keeping a to-do list is not considered a definitive sign. Famous figures throughout history have been identified as procrastinators, including composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and author Douglas Adams. Adams’s editors once reportedly had to confine him to a hotel suite for three weeks to ensure he finished a book.
Strategies to manage the behavior include "temptation bundling," which involves pairing a disliked task with an enjoyable one, such as listening to music while folding laundry. Shatz also suggests making tasks more meaningful by focusing on one's identity as a reliable person or considering the consequences of not completing the work. Another method is the "10-minute rule," where a person commits to a task for a short duration to lower the barrier to starting.
For employees and managers, the scale of the impact is observed in missed deadlines and diminished work quality. MyTimeManagement notes that persistent procrastination may lead to workplace frustration and a failure to deliver a worker's full capabilities. On a personal level, the behavior can manifest as "sleep procrastination." Individuals may attempt to reduce the "commitment barrier" by breaking large tasks into smaller, timed segments.
Shatz suggests that the rise of remote and flexible work has reduced structure, potentially making procrastination more common. While tools like the "MCII technique" and "temptation bundling" are suggested for improvement, Shatz also notes that it is important for individuals to recognize when procrastination "just doesn't matter," acknowledging that humans are not "perfect machines." The book and associated educational materials were released to the public in August and September 2026.