Every once in a while, people postpone the tasks and assignments they are supposed to perform. Although this is often stressful, delaying a given course of action seldom results in any major psychological suffering. However, for some individuals, deferring what needs to be done can become a persistent behavioral pattern that interferes with daily life. This is referred to as procrastination-that is, voluntarily delaying an intended course of action despite the negative consequences of that delay.