A framework for describing/analyzing procrastination, using 4 variables:

• Value: Does the task have low value because it’s boring or painful or too difficult, or because the reward isn’t that great?
• Expectancy: Do I doubt that completing the task will pay off?
• Delay: Would I have to wait a long time for my reward if I succeeded?
• Impulsiveness: Am I particularly impatient or impulsive, either now or in general?

I’m interested in this mostly for its potential to help me identify areas in my life/work that are less than optimal. I would notice that procrastination is happening, in a next step I could apply the above checklist to find out why exactly I’m not getting stuff done. Then I could address the issue causing the procrastination and in the process further improve my life.

Other factors for procrastination could also be tiredness, lack of exercise or insufficient nutrition.

Link: My Algorithm for Beating Procrastination – Less Wrong