Did you put off going to the gym last week? Is there an unfinished scrapbook buried in your closet or an expired gift card in your wallet? We're all guilty of occasional procrastination, but some people become what experts call chronic procrastinators.

Experts estimate that as many as 20 percent of all Americans are procrastinators meaning they intend to complete a specific task or goal but put off doing so. See the most common reasons people give for procrastinating, and find out if you have some of the same tendencies.

You want to avoid an unpleasant activity.

This is the number-one reason for procrastination, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.

You make excuses.

These excuses help justify procrastination: I don't have time to clean out the attic or I'm most creative under pressure.

You look for distractions.

A common example is checking email every few minutes, instead of working on an important project.

You don't manage time well.

Procrastinators often think they get things done in a short amount of time, and don't plan to get something done early. For example: Mom's birthday is two weeks away; I have plenty of time to find a gift for her.

You don't feel confident about the task.

Maybe you want to begin planning for retirement but don't know the first thing about an IRA or 401(k), so you put it off.

Types of Procrastinators

Although procrastinators share a common trait, they're not all like. There are three types of chronic procrastinators, according to recognized expert Joseph R. Ferrari. Which type fits you best?

Thrill-seeker or arousal type.

This procrastinator gets a rush from waiting until the last minute to complete a project.

Avoider type.

This type is so concerned about how they're perceived and so afraid to fail, they'd rather others think they're lazy than incompetent.

Decisional Type

The decisional procrastinator cannot make decisions and, consequently, is relieved of the responsibility for what happens.

Even chronic procrastinators can change their behavior, but experts say it requires dedication and persistence. Although the desire to procrastinate may not go away, they can learn how to accomplish tasks without waiting until the last minute.