# What is Procrastination?

> Procrastination is putting off urgent, high-priority tasks. Learn why people delay work and how better time management helps stop it.

- Source: https://bodhih.com/what-is-procrastination/
- Publisher: Bodhih Training (Bengaluru, India; since 2008)
- Last updated: 2026-10-15
- Contact: solutions@bodhih.com · +91 99000 11601

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Procrastination is putting off tasks that are urgent, of high priority and require immediate focus and attention. The reason for delaying may be due to the following reasons:

Procrastination is putting off tasks that are urgent, high priority and need immediate attention. People delay because a task is time-consuming, because they fear it will fail, because they prefer working in their comfort zone or because something else is more enjoyable. Managing time better and noticing the moment procrastination starts helps eliminate it at the root.

Last updated 15 Oct 2026 · Bodhih Insights team · reviewed by [Siddharthan VGJ](https://bodhih.com/siddharthan-vgj/), Founder

1. The task at hand may be time consuming and hence priority is given to simpler tasks.
2. Due to fear that the task may turn out to be a failure or a disaster.
3. The worker might consider the task will give best results if done in his or her comfort zone.
4. The worker is in favour of doing something that is more enjoyable and more comfortable doing.

Everyone procrastinates to some degree. Some are so chronically affected by procrastination that it stops them in fulfilling their potential and disrupts their careers. People avoid difficult tasks and look for distractions to keep themselves occupied. People find some parts of their job to be unpleasant. One has to take active steps to manage time better and recognize when he or she starts procrastinating and eliminate it right from the root.

## Quick answers

### Why do people procrastinate at work?

Common reasons are that the task is time-consuming so simpler tasks get priority, fear that the task will fail, a preference for working within one's comfort zone, and the pull of more enjoyable activities. Everyone procrastinates to some degree, but chronic procrastination can stop people fulfilling their potential and disrupt careers.