Whether it’s putting off a tax return, leaving an essay until the last minute, or delaying a difficult email, we all procrastinate from time to time.
Now, research has revealed that there are actually nine distinct types of procrastinators.
If you’re a ‘Dreamer’, you probably spend your time fantasizing about the future, at the expense of doing what needs to be done in the present.
‘Rebels’, on the other hand, feel that they don’t have enough control over their life, so they procrastinate to assert their autonomy and get back at authority figures.
Meanwhile, ‘Zigzaggers’ switch too often between different things that draw their attention, so they don’t stick long enough with whatever they need to do.
Thankfully, Dr Itamar Shatz, a research associate at the University of Cambridge, has revealed how to help all nine types of procrastinator.
‘Solving procrastination isn’t about squeezing every possible drop of productivity out of your day,’ he said.
‘It’s about helping you do the things you want to, when you want to, without guilt or stress. The key point is that you can choose how you spend your time, rather than have this choice stolen from you by procrastination.’
Whether it’s putting off a tax return, leaving an essay until the last minute, or delaying a difficult email, we all procrastinate from time to time. Now, research has revealed that there are actually nine distinct types of procrastinators (stock image)
In his new book, Dr Shatz set out to understand why people procrastinate, and what can be done to help them.
‘Procrastination isn’t just a matter of motivation or bad time management,’ he explained.
‘These are really unhelpful misconceptions. Procrastination revolves around the tug–of–war between helpful elements of our drive to act and harmful elements of our drive to delay.’
Drawing from hundreds of studies, Dr Shatz uncovered nine types of procrastinators: Worriers, Pessimists, Perfectionists, Dreamers, Zigzaggers, Rebels, Thrill Seekers, Hedonists, and Burnouts.
Worriers are concerned that things might go wrong if they take action, so they avoid doing what they should to avoid running into problems, while Pessimists underestimate the likelihood they’ll succeed, which makes them feel that there’s not much of a point in trying.
Perfectionists feel they have to get everything exactly right, which backfires when they’re paralyzed by fear of making mistakes or discouraged by unattainable standards.
Thrill Seekers enjoy the pressure of working in a rush before a deadline, while Hedonists care too much about feeling satisfied in the moment and too little about the things they need to do.
Finally, Burnouts feel too tired to do what they need to, usually because they’ve been working too hard, or doing work that’s stressful, pointless, or draining in some other way.
Perfectionists feel they have to get everything exactly right, which backfires when they’re paralyzed by fear of making mistakes or discouraged by unattainable standards (stock image)
As for the solution to procrastination, Dr Shatz says that it depends on what type procrastinator you are – although there is some overlap (scroll down for the full list of advice).
If you’re a Worrier, he advises shining a light on your fears, unpacking tasks, rejecting perfectionism, and building your self–efficacy.
In contrast, Zigzaggers should set concrete goals and unpack the small steps needed to achieve them, ideally in writing.
And Thrill Seekers are best off adding lots of deadlines, scheduling work according to their natural rhythms, and procrastinating productively.
While this might sound trivial, the expert warns that if left untreated, procrastination can cause serious harm to lives and careers.
He added: ‘Overcoming procrastination will become even more important as use of AI grows.
‘Personal productivity is expected to be one of the skills that remains essential for most types of work – including deploying AI.’
The news comes shortly after an Oxford academic revealed that there are 10 distinct types of thinker.
Dr Marius Ostrowski, a political and social theorist and historian at the University of Oxford, drew on evidence from psychology, philosophy, sociology and political science to come up with 10 ‘signature thinking styles’.
He has named these Happy Camper, Jokester, Hothead, Keen Bean, Quibbler, Gloomster, Agoniser, Cool Cat, Worrywart and Reveller.
Everyone is likely a mixture of more than one, he explained, because they can all be influenced by upbringing, experiences and situations.
Dr Itamar Shatz’s book ‘Solving Procrastination: The Science of Why We Put Things Off and How to (Finally!) Stop’ will go on sale on 25 August.
