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NEW YORK — The unofficial end of summer is here. Vacations are ending, and kids are headed back to school. As workweeks across the country start back up, a new survey finds that procrastination is already in full gear! In fact, it turns out that “procrastination o’clock” hits at 12:06 p.m. on a Monday.
The poll reveals that a staggering 71% of U.S. adults admit to putting off tasks regularly. The study, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Dave’s Killer Bread, paints a vivid picture of a nation grappling with distractions and the allure of procrastination.
The survey of 2,000 U.S. adults also finds that when it comes to avoiding their to-do lists, Americans turn to a variety of more enjoyable activities. Half of the respondents watch TV and movies, while 42% scroll through social media on their phones. Many simply lay in bed (39%) or take a nap (29%) to put off their responsibilities.
The allure of social media is particularly strong, with the average American spending nearly two-and-a-half hours daily on these platforms, despite attempts to limit consumption to just under two hours. More alarmingly, 10% of respondents admitted to spending between five and eight hours scrolling, while 18% didn’t even try to limit their social media time.
Despite its prevalence, procrastination is not without its emotional toll. The survey found that three in four Americans feel guilty when they procrastinate. This guilt, however, doesn’t seem to be enough to overcome the temptation to delay tasks.
The survey also highlighted the significant role that smartphones play in procrastination. Half of the respondents agreed that their phone is “like a fifth appendage,” with 28% admitting that their phone is usually the main reason they aren’t getting things done.
“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,” says Jillian Cohn, Director of Brand Management for Dave’s Killer Bread, in a statement. “The good news is that something as simple as an energy-boosting snack or your favorite playlist can improve your mood and motivation. Incorporating these small pleasures into your day can transform your approach to getting things done.”
The poll also revealed some strategies Americans use to overcome procrastination. One in three “gamify” their agenda, while 30% reward themselves with a snack upon completing a task. A quarter of respondents allow themselves a quick social media scroll after finishing a task. Some even get creative, with 19% staging competitions with household members and 14% pretending they’re on a game show. Interestingly, 70% of respondents found they were able to cross more items off their to-do list when working alone rather than with help from others.
Fifty-five percent of Americans also admitted they’re more likely to put things off if they’re hungry, suggesting that proper nutrition might play a role in combating procrastination.
Despite the widespread tendency to procrastinate, there’s a silver lining: 19% of respondents found that the tasks they’d been putting off always take a shorter amount of time than expected. This insight might offer hope to those struggling with productivity, suggesting that the anticipation of a task might be worse than the task itself.
“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 adds. “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.”
Survey methodology
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 general population Americans; the survey was commissioned by Dave’s Killer Bread and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between July 19 to July 22, 2024.
