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.
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, and 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.
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.
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.
Our Department of Psychology prides itself on being a collegiate and welcoming department, committed to success for all who work here. Through dedicated teaching sessions, an optional placement module, external speakers and even an employability retreat – we actively prepare students for working life. We are proud to ranked in the Top 10 Psychology departments in the UK by The Complete University Guide 2022. 
Feeling inspired? Visit our Psychology webpages to learn more about our postgraduate and undergraduate programmes.
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