It’s official — the peak time for procrastination hits at 12:06 p.m. on a Monday, according to new research.
From watching TV and films (50%) to simply lying in bed (39%) or taking a nap (29%), a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults revealed that procrastination is a widespread issue, with 71% of Americans admitting to putting things off.
Despite this, 76% confessed that they feel guilty when they procrastinate.
Another common distraction is mobile phones, with 42% of respondents scrolling through social media to avoid their to-do list.
On average, Americans spend nearly two and a half hours on social media each day, despite setting a goal of limiting their usage to under two hours (1.9 hours).
A further 10% of respondents spend between five and eight hours scrolling, and 18% make no effort to limit their social media time at all.
Taking it a step further, half of Americans agree that their phone feels like a “fifth limb” and are only motivated to put it down during family meals (50%), special occasions like birthdays or weddings (35%), or while on dates (22%).
In addition to social media scrolling, respondents also delay tasks by playing video games (22%) or calling friends and family (19%). This may be why 28% admit that their phone is the main reason they struggle to get things done.
The survey, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Dave’s Killer Bread, also found that respondents would rather eat (33%), go for a walk (30%), drive (20%), or simply do nothing (31%) than tackle their to-do list.
However, many are motivated to start working through tasks if they’re expecting visitors (30%) or have the perfect snack (17%) and playlist (17%).
Some respondents (34%) even “gamify” their to-do lists, rewarding themselves with a snack (30%) or a quick scroll through social media (25%) after completing each task.
Others rope in their household members (14%) to create a competition (19%) or even pretend they’re on a game show (14%).
“Tackling your to-do list isn’t always the most exciting part of the day, and with so many distractions, it’s easy to find ourselves procrastinating,” said Jillian Cohn, Director of Brand Management for Dave’s Killer Bread. “The good news is that something as simple as an energy-boosting snack or your favourite playlist can improve your mood and motivation. Incorporating these small pleasures into your day can transform your approach to getting things done.”
When asked about the smallest or strangest tasks they’ve delayed, respondents gave examples such as, “washing my hair,” “using the bathroom,” “trimming my toenails,” “taking out the rubbish,” and even “making a phone call.”
Despite this, 70% find that they can tick more things off their to-do list when they are alone rather than with the help of others.
Additionally, 55% admit they are more likely to procrastinate if they are hungry.
Interestingly, nearly one in five (19%) found that the tasks they’d been avoiding usually take less time to complete than they expected.
“Even the smallest tasks can sometimes feel overwhelming, and that’s perfectly normal. It’s important to be kind to yourself and celebrate your wins, no matter how big or small,” Cohn added. “Whether you’re tackling your daily tasks or taking a much-needed break, a tasty and nutritious snack can be just what you need to recharge and keep you on track.”
WHAT WOULD AMERICANS RATHER DO THAN THEIR TO-DO LIST?
- Take a nap: 39%
- Visit family and friends: 33%
- Grab a bite to eat: 33%
- Do nothing: 31%
- Go for a walk: 30%
- Go shopping: 28%
- Go for a drive: 20%
- Work out: 16%
- Catch up on work: 10%
