What is the term for delaying a task without a good reason?

The term for delaying a task without a good reason is known as procrastination. Procrastination involves putting off tasks, often leading to unnecessary stress and a feeling of being overwhelmed as deadlines approach. It can stem from a variety of factors, including fear of failure, perfectionism, or simply not wanting to engage in the task at hand.

In contrast, distraction refers to being sidetracked by external stimuli or unrelated activities, which may take your focus away from the primary task but doesn’t necessarily involve a conscious delay without reason. Indecision is the inability to make a choice or decision, which can cause delays but is more about uncertainty rather than the intentional postponement of a task. Negligence implies a failure to take proper care in doing something; it suggests irresponsibility rather than simply delaying a task without justification. Thus, procrastination is the most accurate term for the behavior described in the question.