Procrastination is an all-pervasive evil that does more harm than we can ever imagine. Putting off tasks indefinitely into a distant future and eventually never getting them done is something we all have struggled with at some point in life. Procrastination invariably results in missed opportunities, wasted time, guilt trips, falling performance, excuses for failures, and avoidance behavior. A half-done or never-done work will never let you live in peace. It afflicts the mind and troubles the body.
This may be a social malaise but not an incurable disease. The trick lies in identifying the obstructive agents and limiting circumstances. You should be listing your priorities and work steadily and unwaveringly towards their completion. Incentives and rewards also go a long way in keeping your motivation high. Initially, you may want to enlist support but remember that at the end of the day it is you who has to get the work done.
Let’s introduce you to some bestsellers on the topic to help you overcome procrastination by implementing simple but practical tips. Focus, tenacity, and maintenance of newly-formed habits will eventually transform you into a new ‘you’ you will be proud of.
1) How To Beat Procrastination in The Digital Age
Author: Dr. Linda Sapadin
Print Length: 216 pages
Language: English
Publisher: Psychwisdom Publishing
Dr. Linda Sapadin is a psychologist and success coach who has designed 6 unique change formulas for 6 personality styles. Each change program provides a wealth of information. You need not imitate someone else nor do you need a makeover. The change program aims to respect all personality styles and is intended to enhance your own version of yourself.
Take the procrastination quiz and discover what fuels your procrastination. Learn empowering thinking skills, persuasive language mastery, effective action strategies, creative guided imagery, and innovative to-do assignments. Stop regretting how you spend your time — you deserve better, and you can do better. The skills, strategies, and secrets in this book will enhance your career, enrich your relationships, empower you, and expand your well-being.
2) Do It Today: Overcome Procrastination, Improve Productivity
Author: Darius Foroux
Print Length: 256 pages
Language: English
Publisher: Penguin
The book is an international bestseller. It appropriately describes how we keep putting things off till tomorrow which never arrives. There comes a time when we finally tire of procrastinating and take action —plunging ahead. We all have limited time on our hands since life is unpredictable. We can be motivated by the fact that since every minute we are inching closer to death, we should act right here right now.
The book lists the reasons why we procrastinate; what we can do to overcome it; how to increase our productivity without taking excess stress; how to achieve more meaningful things in life so that we can enjoy it more, etc.
3) Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways To Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time
Author: Brian Tracy
Print Length: 119 pages
Language: English
Publisher: Berrett Koehler Publishers
It is not humanly possible to meet all our targets in a day, there never will be enough time to complete our entire to-do list. Successful people are never bothered about trying to do everything — it’s all about prioritizing. Identify the most important tasks and narrow down on them. Get them done first. They eat their frogs. In other words, get the most difficult/challenging tasks done first thing in the morning, and you will be left with a high level of satisfaction. You can leverage technology to remind you of the most critical tasks, and avoid what is unnecessary. It is important to hold on to our focus in an age that is plagued with numerous distractions, electronic and otherwise. Decision, discipline, and determination are important elements of time management. This is a life-changing book.
4) Procrastination: Why You Do It, What To Do About It Now
Authors: Jane B.Burka (PhD) and Lenora M.Yuen (PhD)
Print Length: 336 pages
Language: English
Publisher: Da Capo Lifelong
The book has been penned by two experienced psychologists who have taken references from their workshops and counseling sessions with clients. Their style is probing and sensitive, and at places humorous too. Procrastination is a menace that is prevalent across all societies and among all age groups and professions — students, scientists, executives, homemakers, and salespersons are all affected by it. Fear of failure, success, control, separation, and attachment and their roots in our childhood and adult experiences are some of the reasons we put off tasks.
We can overcome procrastination by setting pre-determined goals, managing time, enlisting support, and handling stress. The book is an effective, easy-to-use manual for all procrastinators.
5) The Psychology of Procrastination: Understand Your Habits, Find Motivation, and Get Things Done
Author: Hayden Finch (Ph.D)
Print Length: 146 pages
Language: English
Publisher: Embassy Books
The author dives into the possible triggering factors that could be leading to procrastination; he suggests his readers examine the core issues like low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and ADHD, among others. Procrastination can be dealt with by taking small, baby steps towards prioritizing tasks, finding motivation, overcoming avoidance behavior, getting started, focusing, persisting, and finishing the task.
The book contains real-life anecdotes of procrastinators to help the readers take a perspective of their problems. The author goes on to say that real productivity can only be achieved when you effectively overcome the tendency to procrastinate. It will help to analyze the psychological barriers that trigger procrastination. The author takes up a research-based approach that is viable to help his readers finish projects and accomplish goals. Be empowered to work along with your brain, rather than against it, and you will be able to take control and bring about lasting changes in your habits.
