Why do people procrastinate?  Is there an easy cure?  Is there a
support group somewhere?

Hi! Thanks for the interesting question.

According to the Inter-Universities North website, the following are
the main causes of procrastination:

“We avoid unpleasant, difficult or tedious tasks... In most cases, it
takes greater effort to begin something than sustain it assuming, of
course, that the action is intentional rather than spontaneous.”

“Old habits die hard... Our early experiences may instill in us
behavior which actually causes greater distress over the long term.”

“Warped thinking justifies the behavior and delays actions... Have you
resisted doing something because you think you are not very good at it
or if it can't be perfect, then you don't want to do it at all?”

“Inter Universities North: Procrastination”
http://www.iun.mb.ca/ss_m1_procrastination.htm

The About.com website has a wealth of information about
procrastination. It adds to the list above by enumerating the logical
causes of procrastination and discusses each of them.

1. Fear of Failure
2. Fear of success
3. Perfectionism
4. Boredom
5. Anger
6. Lack of skills or information
7. Poor health
8. Distractions
9. Task seems too large

You could read the explanations and the whole article through the
following link:

“Procrastination and Anxiety”
http://panicdisorder.about.com/library/weekly/aa090199.htm 

It seems that procrastination is all mental and has no real easy cure.
I have found the following websites which has tips you could follow to
get over your procrastination.

“Fastfacts: Procrastination”
http://www.learningcommons.uoguelph.ca/learning/fastfax/procrastination.htm

“DESIGN YOUR OWN ANTI-PROCRASTINATION PLAN”
http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc/handouts/1911.html

The following meanwhile are workshops and support groups which deals
with procrastination as one of their assistance programs.

Stone Center Counseling Services
http://www.wellesley.edu/Counseling/g_w.html#procrastination 

California State University, Northridge: Counseling Services
http://www.csun.edu/counseling/group.html

Chaco Canyon Consulting
http://www.chacocanyon.com/essays/gettingthingsdone.shtml

Since procrastination is a type of anxiety according to medical
experts you could also look up on some of the following anxiety
support groups from the list in the link below:

Anxiety Disorder Related Support Groups & Organizations
http://open-mind.org/SP/Help/NF/abcdef.htm 

There is no easy cure since this is more of a psychological problem,
but you could also seek professional help or therapists if you want to
answer your concerns. The 4theraphy.com website provides a therapist
finder (it includes “anxiety”) so you could contact one in case you
want to avail of their services.

4Therapy.com: Find a Therapist
http://www.4therapy.com/locator/index.php 

Search terms used:  
procrastination support group anxiety
 
I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.
 
Thanks for visiting us. 
 
Regards, 
Easterangel-ga 
Google Answers Researcher

This is not the first time this question has been asked on this forum.
If you need help on procrastination -- I found the book "The NOW
HABIT" by Neil Fiore particularly useful.

Thanks Steph1000-ga

I got the book.  Read it once.  Some great ideas.

Blessings.

Here's a strategy that I just thought up for my own use (yes, we all
procrastinate!) and will also post as comments for other
procrastination questions:

First make your to-do list... that's the age-old starting point. If
it's long, you should scribble it down (you may find that writing
things will jog your memory and make you remember other things you
have to do) but if it's only a handful of items, make a mental to-do
list.

Now prepare a pie chart. It doesn't have to be perfect: just draw a
big, round circle. Divide it up into sections based on how long you
think each task will take. If you need to make a short call or address
a few thank-you notes, make that a small slice. If you want to put in
a few hours of work on a major project, that should be a bigger slice.
Structure it so that your entire to-do list (which should include a
little time for an invigorating stroll, a warm shower, a chapter of
fun reading...) will fill the whole pie chart.

If you have a very weighty issue of high importance, give it a
slightly bigger slice than normal for extra incentive.

THEN- put your plan to work (the hardest part, I know.) Split your
chart into quarters; do one-fourth of the chart and then take a break.
Or circle a random section of the chart without looking, get that much
done, and then rest.

Good luck!

Thanks redmango, I will give that pie chart a go.  Sounds fun and easy.