Research found they typically avoid ‘tedious’ tasks 17 times a week – with 32% declining to do certain jobs for several months or more.
Sending back online shopping returns, paying bills, and doing DIY are among the tasks they’re most likely to stall on. A third (33%) avoid tasks because they’re ‘easily distracted’, with a further 47% doing so because they’re ‘boring’.
Commissioned by lastminute.com, which offers deals on holidays, flights, and hotels, the poll, of 2,000 adults, found 23% have resorted to taking annual leave in order to get on top of all the tasks they’ve been avoiding.
But procrastination isn’t always problematic – 39% actively prefer to leave things until late on, with 14% of the opinion they get better results when they do so.
Psychologist Emma Kenny, who has teamed-up with the travel operator, believes procrastination can improve patience and also helps people feel more grateful.
She said: “Procrastination isn’t simply about laziness, it’s often a coping mechanism for feeling overwhelmed. But while chronic procrastination can increase stress, the 14% who report better results under pressure may actually be leveraging their natural work rhythms. The key is distinguishing between productive delay and avoidance that creates genuine problems.”
Of those who ever procrastinate – which is 89% of adults – the study found 50% do so more with personal tasks and 11% do so more with work-related tasks. However, 30% avoid certain jobs in both walks of life – at work and at home.
Other tasks they regularly put off include responding to emails, updating their CV, and even going to sleep. Many also stall on replying to personal messages like texts and WhatsApps, going to the gym or exercising, and backing up devices or updating software.
Emma Kenny added: “Procrastination is a natural, human trait and whilst it can make people feel guilty, it can also give us space to think clearly about choosing the right moment and to process the idea and holiday plans properly.
“When you change the narrative from ‘I still haven’t done it’ to ‘I just found an incredible last-minute deal’, procrastination becomes a passport to adventure.”
It also emerged 83% have procrastination tactics they actively employ – including starting jobs at a ‘nice round number’ like 3pm or 4pm (27%).
More than a fifth (22%) will hold off doing anything until it’s ‘absolutely essential’ a task needs to be completed. And 25% will do something else which doesn’t need doing – like intensely researching something which could wait – to avoid sitting down to tackle a task.
The research, carried out through OnePoll, found 27% make a mindful and conscious decision to procrastinate so they can enjoy the feeling of anticipation for as long as possible.
Zoe Fidler, spokesperson for lastminute.com, said: “It’s clear to see that us Brits are a procrasti-nation. Some people even prefer it, saying putting things off helps to build excitement, anticipation, and the threat of a deadline getting tasks done faster.
“And when it comes to holidays in particular it’s never too late to book one – in fact, one in five of our customers book within just 72 hours of departure.”
