A Calgary professor is urging researchers not to put off until tomorrow a subject that ought to be studied today — procrastination.

Pier Steel's 30-page analysis on research on procrastination is in this month's peer-reviewed Psychological Bulletin, published by the American Psychological Association.

Steel concludes that research on the subject shouldn't be delayed.

"People who procrastinate, they tend to be less healthy, because they're putting off going to the doctor, going to the gym. They're less happy, and less wealthy. They have poor performance," he told CBC News.

Procrastination on the rise

Between 15 to 20 per cent of the population are chronic procrastinators, with 95 per cent having done it at some time or another, says Steel.

His study found that in the past quarter-century, the average self-score for procrastination (using a one-to-five scale with one being no delaying) has increased by 39 per cent.

Men are worse than women, and the young are more likely to procrastinate than the old, Steel said.

The problem isn't laziness or perfectionism, Steel said. Procrastinators are impulsive, easily distracted, sometimes even short of self-confidence.
 
"If you're uncertain about whether you can succeed or not, [you're] much more likely to put it off," he said.

Students admit they have a problem

As a University of Calgary professor, Steel has a rich source of material to work with.

"College students are pretty much the kings of procrastination," said Steel.

Students interviewed by CBC News admitted that they've had some experience with procrastination.

"I'm very good at it. I'm very good at writing papers the night before they're due, or the morning they're due," said Kodi Carlson.

"I'm kind of rationalizing and saying I'm relaxing to get my mind set for the next couple hours where I will be doing work," said Tracy Wormsbecker.
 
"And then you say, 'Next time I'll get it done.' But the next time never comes," said Raj Gill.
 
In order for a delay to be procrastination, the person must believe it would be better to start working on given tasks immediately, but doesn't start, Steel says.

Steel's project took 10 years to complete. He explains that he worked "off and on," analyzing 681 other research sources.

"It's a big project," he said.

With files from Association Press