Be honest — rank your top procrastination habits when you're avoiding work or study.

B Natural answer

When I avoid work, I usually start by checking messages again and again. Then I move to opening random tabs and telling myself I'm 'researching,' even when I'm not. My third habit is making a to-do list instead of starting, because planning feels safer than actually doing the task. If I'm honest, these things make me feel busy without doing much. The worst part is that I know it, but I still do it. Usually I only stop when the deadline gets close and the pressure becomes impossible to ignore.

Key phrases in this answer

• phone scrolling — checking your phone briefly, but much longer than planned“I kept scrolling my phone for 'just five minutes' and lost an hour.”
• desk cleaning — tidying your workspace to avoid the real task“I started to clean my desk instead of writing the report.”
• message checking — repeatedly opening chats or notifications“I spent ten minutes checking messages again and again.”
• tab hopping — opening many browser tabs without a clear reason“I kept opening random tabs instead of starting the assignment.”
• planning instead of doing — organizing tasks to avoid beginning work“I was making a to-do list instead of starting the essay.”
• ten-minute delay — postponing work with a short promise to start later“I kept telling myself I'll work in ten minutes.”