Each year, millions of people struggle with the habit of procrastination.
For some, it’s a minor issue that only crops up every now and then. For others, it can be a crippling habit that ruins their lives.
Despite its prevalence, however, there’s still a lot of confusion about how we can overcome this debilitating psychological tendency.
If you’re struggling with procrastination, don’t worry – you’re not alone.
There is plenty of literature out there that can help you overcome this habit.
With that said, here are five of the best books on procrastination.
The 5 Best Books on Procrastination
1. Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy
Eat That Frog! is a self-help book by Brian Tracy that discusses the importance of productivity and offers 21 techniques for becoming more productive.
The book begins by discussing the importance of productivity and why it is essential to achieve goals.
Tracy then provides 21 techniques for becoming more productive, including breaking down goals into smaller tasks, setting deadlines, and avoiding distractions.
The book concludes with a chapter on developing good habits and a chapter on overcoming obstacles.
Overall, Eat That Frog! is an informative book that offers helpful tips for becoming more productive.
The techniques provided are easy to follow and can be implemented immediately.
The book is well-written and easy to read, making it a great choice for anyone looking to increase their productivity.
2. The Now Habit by Neil A. Fiore
The Now Habit is a book about breaking the habit of procrastination.
Neil A. Fiore, the author, is a psychologist who has worked with patients who suffer from this potentially debilitating habit.
The book is based on his findings and experience in helping these patients.
The goal of the book is to help people learn how to take action and achieve their goals.
The book is organized into three sections: understanding procrastination, changing your behavior, and creating a new habit.
In the first section, Fiore discusses the different types of procrastinators and what causes them to delay tasks.
He provides tips for recognizing when you are procrastinating and strategies for overcoming it.
The second section focuses on changing your behavior. Fiore offers techniques for setting goals, planning, and managing time.
He also discusses how to deal with distractions and urges to procrastinate.
The third section explains how to create a new habit of taking action.
Fiore provides advice on developing a positive mindset, building self-confidence, and dealing with setbacks.
Overall, The Now Habit provides helpful tips for overcoming procrastination and taking action towards your goals.
3. Solving the Procrastination Puzzle by Timothy A. Pychyl
Solving the Procrastination Puzzle is a book written by Timothy A. Pychyl that discusses the different factors that contribute to procrastination and offers possible solutions to overcoming it.
The book is divided into four sections, which each explore a different aspect of procrastination: its causes, effects, consequences, and how to address it.
Pychyl discusses a variety of factors that can contribute to procrastination, including fear of failure, perfectionism, anxiety, lack of interest or motivation, and lack of self-confidence.
He argues that these factors often result from negative thoughts and beliefs about oneself, such as “I’m not good enough,” “I can’t do this,” or “I don’t deserve success.”
These thoughts can be difficult to challenge and change, but Pychyl provides strategies for doing so.
Procrastination can have negative consequences for both individuals and organizations.
For individuals, it can lead to stress, anxiety, lower self-esteem, and other mental health issues.
It can also interfere with academic or professional goals. For organizations, procrastination can lead to missed deadlines, lower productivity, and higher costs.
There are several strategies that Pychyl recommends for overcoming procrastination.
One is identifying the thoughts and beliefs that contribute to it. Another is developing a plan for tackling tasks one at a time.
Pychyl also recommends taking breaks and allowing oneself time to relax; this can help reduce negative emotions that often contribute to procrastination.
Finally, he recommends seeking help from others if needed.
4. The End of Procrastination by Petr Ludwig and Adela Schicker
The End of Procrastination is a self-help book that provides a guide to overcoming procrastination.
The book is divided into three sections: understanding procrastination, overcoming procrastination, and staying on track.
Ludwig first defines procrastination as the act of delaying tasks despite knowing they need to be done.
He then discusses the causes of procrastination, which can include fear of failure, perfectionism, and low self-esteem.
Ludwig offers strategies for overcoming these obstacles, such as breaking down tasks into smaller pieces, setting deadlines, and using positive reinforcement.
The final section of the book focuses on maintaining progress.
Ludwig recommends creating a habit tracker to monitor progress and establishing routines to make task completion easier.
He also stresses the importance of taking breaks and celebrating small accomplishments.
Overall, The End of Procrastination provides an in-depth look at the causes and effects of procrastination and offers a variety of strategies for overcoming it.
5. The Art of Procrastination by John R. Perry
The Art of Procrastination discusses the benefits of procrastination and how to use it to your advantage.
Perry argues that procrastination can be a useful tool for managing stress, avoiding distractions, and preventing burnout.
He also contends that procrastination can be a sign of creativity and intelligence, and that it should not be viewed as a problem to be overcome.
The book is divided into three sections: “What Is Procrastination?”, “How to Use Procrastination to Your Advantage”, and “When Procrastination Goes Wrong”.
In the first section, Perry discusses the history and definition of procrastination.
He argues that procrastination is not simply laziness or avoidance, but rather a complex behavior with many benefits.
In the second section, Perry describes five ways to use procrastination to your advantage: delaying decisions, taking breaks, avoiding perfectionism, setting boundaries, and using boredom.
He provides examples of how each strategy can be used to overcome common challenges such as stress, distractions, and overwhelm.
In the third section, Perry discusses the dangers of chronic procrastination and offers tips for overcoming them.
Overall, “The Art of Procrastination” is a helpful guide for understanding and using procrastination to your advantage.
It provides concrete strategies for dealing with common challenges, as well as advice for overcoming the negative consequences of chronic procrastination.
Summary
Procrastination is a far-reaching problem for many people, with various causes and effects.
However, it is possible to overcome procrastination with the right strategies in place.
The books listed above provide helpful advice for understanding and overcoming this phenomenon.
With perseverance and practice, it is possible to make progress and become a more productive version of yourself.
