Procrastination is the thief of time. It can rob you of the present by keeping you from doing what needs to be done and of the future by preventing you from reaching your goals.
While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to beating procrastination, these books on procrastination can help you get started.
It’s 1 p.m. on a Wednesday, and you’re supposed to be working on a project that’s due at the end of the week. But instead, you’re checking Facebook for the fifth time this hour. Sounds familiar?
If you’re like most people, you’ve probably experienced moments of procrastination and laziness, where you put off doing something that you know needs to be done. You may even feel like you’re stuck in a rut, unable to break the habit of procrastination.
What Are The Best Books On Procrastination To Read?
Books on procrastination are the best guides for people suffering from the habit of procrastinating.
Procrastination is a common problem that many people face. It can be difficult to stop procrastinating. Yet, with the right tools, it can be done.
For some, procrastination is a minor annoyance. For others, it’s a chronic condition that can keep them from reaching their goals.
If you want to beat procrastination, books about procrastination can be of immense help. Procrastination books tell you
- how you can discipline your mind
- and teach you time management techniques to increase your productivity.
Table of Contents
- What Are The Best Books On Procrastination To Read?
- 1. Eat That Frog By Brian Tracy
- 2. Take The Stairs: 7 Steps To Achieving True Success By Rory Vaden
- 3. Change Your Schedule: Change Your Life By Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar With Michelle D Seaton
- 4. The Procrastination Equation By Piers Steel
- 5. The Willpower Instinct By Kelly Mc Gonigal, Ph.D.
- 6. The Science Of Procrastination By Patrick King
- 7. Following Through: A Revolutionary New Model For Finishing Whatever You Start By Steve Levison Ph.D. And Pete Greider M.Ed
- 8. Solving The Procrastination Puzzle By Timothy A. Pychyl
- 9. The Procrastinator’s Handbook by Rita Emmett
- 10.The Procrastination Cure By Damon Zahariades
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Best Books On Procrastination To Read
So without procrastinating further here is a list of ten books about procrastination that can help you overcome laziness and start getting things done.
1. Eat That Frog By Brian Tracy
If you want to get more things done, you have to learn to eat that frog. According to productivity expert Brian Tracy, the best way to get more done is to start your day by tackling the biggest, most challenging task.
That is because when you start your day with a big challenge, you’re more likely to push through any obstacles and get the job done. So how do you eat that frog?
In Brian Tracy’s book “Eat That Frog!”, the author discusses 21 different methods that can be used to overcome procrastination and get more done in less time.
The book is based on the principle that if you eat a frog first thing in the morning, the day will get easier. This according to him will help you in overcoming procrastination.
Tracy argues that you should focus on your most important task of the day first and get it done as soon as possible. Then move on to the other tasks that you need to accomplish.
Some Quotes From Eat the Frog By Brian Tracy
“If you have to eat two frogs, eat the ugliest one first. This is another way of saying that if you have two important tasks before you, start with the biggest, hardest, and most important task first.”
“The hardest part of any important task is getting started on it in the first place. Once you actually begin work on a valuable task, you seem to be naturally motivated to continue.”
“Everyone procrastinates. The difference between high performers and low performers is largely determined by what they choose to procrastinate on.”
To be successful, you have to learn how to eat that frog. Brian Tracy, author, and self-help guru, believes that the key to success is getting rid of the things that are holding you back.
The biggest obstacle in anyone’s way is procrastination. The book which was originally published in 2001 has been one of the best-selling books on procrastination for over 10 years. It has been translated into 27 languages.
2. Take The Stairs: 7 Steps To Achieving True Success By Rory Vaden
In his self-help book, Take the Stairs, Rory Vaden preaches the seven steps to achieving true success. He argues that success is not a destination. Rather it is a journey that is achieved by taking small steps every day.
According to Vaden, success is not about working hard or being lucky. It is about taking the time to develop the right habits.
To achieve success, one must take the stairs and not the elevator. Rory Vaden, the author of Take the Stairs, believes that success is a result of taking many small steps over time instead of relying on shortcuts or lucky breaks.
To help readers achieve success, Vaden outlines seven steps in his book. These steps also tell you how to combat laziness and procrastination.
In the book, he teaches and says that first one needs to develop a personal philosophy or mindset for success. In doing so one needs to understand that success cannot be achieved in a day. It takes discipline.
It is what you are ready to sacrifice today for a better future that is the first step that determines your growth in life.
Secondly what is of utmost importance according to the writer is that you need to instill self-discipline if you want to attain success.
You do get excited when an idea comes to your mind. Yet, most people lack the perseverance to pursue an idea. Taking the stairs teaches you how to do so.
Procrastinators are not lazy. They just need a system to work around their habit of procrastination.
Some Of The Notable Quotes From The Take the Stairs by Rory Vaden
“If you’re like most people in the world today, then you have read fewer than five books cover to cover in your lifetime. According to one major American publisher, 95% of all books that are purchased are never completely read.”
“And the Law of Action says that it does not matter what we say we believe; our real beliefs are revealed by how we act.”
“Why do so many of us succumb to fear? Because it’s more convenient and more comfortable for us to let our dreams disappear than to muster up the discipline and the work ethic to go out and transform them into reality.”
Another procrastination book by the author Procrastinate on Purpose.
3. Change Your Schedule: Change Your Life By Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar With Michelle D Seaton
In today’s world, it is very common to feel overburdened and stressed. One is constantly overwhelmed with stimuli, and your schedule is constantly packed. This can lead to a lot of negative consequences
- including decreased productivity,
- decreased mental and physical health,
- and even depression.
However, there is a simple solution: changing your schedule. Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar, an expert on time management and productivity, has written a book on the subject called “Change Your Schedule, Change Your Life.”
“Change Your Schedule- Change Your Life” is a book that blends ancient ayurvedic philosophy with modern science. It helps you to understand your body type and then adapt your schedule for maximum productivity.
The problem with procrastinators is that they tend to put off things. Therefore, a schedule helps them to stop overthinking and take action. This book for procrastination helps you formulate a strategy for that.
Buy On Books A Million
4. The Procrastination Equation By Piers Steel
In his book, “The Procrastination Equation,” Piers Steel poses the question, “How long can you procrastinate before it’s too late?”
Steel argues that there is an equation to calculate the amount of time one has to procrastinate before it’s too late. The equation is t = p/f, where t is the time you have to procrastinate, p is the probability of success, and f is the required function.
In his book, Piers Steel offers a comprehensive look at the science of procrastination. Steel defines procrastination as “the voluntary delay of an intended action despite knowing that doing so may result in negative consequences.“
Some Of The Realistic Quotes From The Procrastination Equation by Piers Steel:
“Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, and bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, Or stretch myself taut or raise my hands to the sky, and want more than all the world, your return.”
“Research shows, any cell phone use while driving (hands-free or handheld) slows one’s reaction time dangerously.”
“Proximity to temptation is one of the deadliest determinants of procrastination.”
It is a good book on procrastination if you are in the process of understanding the science behind your habit to procrastinate.
In a humorous but interesting way, the author puts forth the reasons why people procrastinate. He then goes on to give tips on how to get over it. These tips give you the motivation to stop procrastinating.
5. The Willpower Instinct By Kelly Mc Gonigal, Ph.D.
Are you tired of dieting and failing? Do you feel like you’re always struggling to resist temptations, even though you know you should just say no?
You’re not alone. According to psychologist Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., most people think of willpower as a limited resource that can be used up. But that’s not the case.
In her book, The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It, Kelly McGonigal Ph.D. provides an in-depth look at the science of willpower and how to increase its power in your life.
According to McGonigal, lack of willpower is not a character flaw or a lack of strength. It is a biological response that can be strengthened through practice.
Some Quotes From The Willpower Instinct by Kelly Mc Gonigal
“Meditation is not about getting rid of all your thoughts; it’s learning not to get so lost in them that you forget what your goal is. Don’t worry if your focus isn’t perfect when meditating. Just practice coming back to the breath, again and again.”
“When your mind is preoccupied, your impulses—not your long-term goals—will guide your choices.”
“A short practice that you do every day is better than a long practice you keep putting off to tomorrow.”
She offers scientific evidence to support her claim and provides readers with exercises that can help them increase their willpower. Harnessing your willpower also helps you in getting rid of laziness and procrastination.
Mc Gonigal believes that willpower is not a finite resource. According to her willpower is something that can be replenished through rest and healthy habits.
She delves into the different factors that affect willpower, such as
- stress,
- emotions,
- and food.
Mc Gonigal also provides proven tactics on how to improve one’s willpower.
6. The Science Of Procrastination By Patrick King
This Book on procrastination by Patrick King teaches you how to do away with your procrastination and become a productivity machine. It looks into the science of procrastination.
Through research on procrastination stories and studies done in this area, it tries to help the reader figure out why he puts things off.
Some Of The Notable Quotes From The Science of Procrastination by Patrick King
“In summary, procrastination may arise from problems in each of the nine executive functions—(1) inhibition, (2) self-monitoring, (3) planning and organization, (4) activity shifting, (5) task initiation, (6) task monitoring, (7) emotional control, (8) working memory, and (9) general orderliness.”
“It’s possible that procrastinators are not inherently lazy or useless individuals; rather, they’re simply faced with tasks which do not match their skill levels or personal motivations.”
“To spur themselves into action, procrastinators have to want to do something.”
The Book apart from dwelling on the whys and how of procrastination also provides actionable tips to take which will help you to overcome procrastination.
It guides the reader to take action and also tells them what needs to be done to overcome the habit of procrastination.
7. Following Through: A Revolutionary New Model For Finishing Whatever You Start By Steve Levison Ph.D. And Pete Greider M.Ed
In today’s society, there seems to be a lack of commitment to finishing what you start. This can be seen in the high number of unfinished projects in people’s homes, work, and everyday lives.
A new model for following through on your commitments is needed, and Steve Levinson has developed just that. His model, called “The 3 Ds,” involves
- setting clear goals,
- developing a detailed plan to achieve those goals,
- and then taking decisive action to make it happen.
In our fast-paced society, it’s increasingly difficult to find the time to complete what you start. You start projects with the best intentions, but before you know it, life has gotten in the way and you’ve moved on to something else.
According to Steve Levinson, this is because you’re trying to do too many things at once. Levinson has developed a new model for completing projects, which he calls “Following Through.
According to Steve Levinson, author of the book “Following Through A Revolutionary New Model for Finishing What You Start”, traditional methods for completing tasks often don’t work.
Levinson’s book offers a new model for getting things done, based on the principle of following through. The key to following through, according to Levinson, is to break tasks down into small, manageable steps.
Again, this book provides useful insights into how to complete unfinished tasks. When you do so you overcome your habit of procrastination.
This concise guide teaches you how to turn your good intentions into life-improving actions. It gives readers a complete explanation as to why people fail to follow through on a task they started. It then goes on to provide you with tools to get them done.
8. Solving The Procrastination Puzzle By Timothy A. Pychyl
Procrastination is a problem that plagues people of all ages and from all walks of life. It can cause anxiety, stress, and feelings of guilt and worthlessness.
But what is procrastination, and why do we do it? Timothy Pychyl, a psychology professor at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, has been studying procrastination for more than 20 years. He has been talking about procrastination in both his blog and podcast.
In this book, Pychyl provides clear and concrete explanations of procrastination habits and proposes actionable solutions to overcome them.
Some Of The Noteworthy Quotes From Solving the Procrastination Puzzle
“The most finite, limited resource in our lives is time. We only have a finite amount of time to live. Why waste it?”
“Let go of the misconception that our motivational state must match the task at hand. In fact, social psychologists have demonstrated that attitudes follow behaviors more than (or at least as much as) behaviors follow attitudes. When you start to act on your intentions as intended, you will see your attitude and motivation change.”
“Meteorologists seem to be better at forecasting the weather (at least in the short term) than we are at forecasting our own mood in the future.”
Pychyl wrote this book to make available the findings of his research that would otherwise have been available only in academic research, unable to benefit the general public with their habits of procrastination.
These books on procrastination will make you realize why you procrastinate on a deeper level than you may have previously considered, as well as how to overcome those issues.
9. The Procrastinator’s Handbook by Rita Emmett
Are you a procrastinator? Do you put things off until the last minute? If so, you’re not alone. A recent study showed that 75% of Americans are chronic procrastinators.
But don’t worry – there is help. Rita Emmett is the author of “The Procrastinator’s Handbook: How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Stuff Done.” In her book, she offers advice and tips on how to overcome procrastination and get things done.
Some Of The Interesting Quotes From The Procrastinator’s Handbook by Rita Emmett
“From my own experience, I realized that there are many other reasons we procrastinate, starting with fear.”
Procrastination is a habit that plagues many people. For some, it’s a simple matter of putting things off until the last minute.
For others, procrastination can be a full-blown addiction that results in
- missed deadlines,
- lost opportunities,
- and even lowered self-esteem.
If you’re one of the many people who struggle with procrastination, this book can give you strategies to overcome the habit of procrastinating and also motivate you to take action.
10.The Procrastination Cure By Damon Zahariades
There is a cure for procrastination, and it doesn’t involve complicated techniques or expensive therapies. It’s called “getting started.”
Once you start, the inertia of action will carry you forward. But how do you get started? The Procrastination Cure by Damon Zahariades provides tips to overcome procrastination and get moving.
Some Of The Quotes From The Procrastination Cure
“The biggest challenge in working on a task you consider to be boring, difficult, or unappealing, is starting on it. But a strange thing happens once you start: the anxiety and dread associated with it rapidly declines.”
“Don’t rely on your memory. Write down every item that needs your attention.”
“What separates the action taker from the excuse maker is the habit of acting.”
The Procrastination Cure is a must-read for anyone who suffers from procrastination. Starting with the root causes of procrastination, it offers simple, tried-and-true strategies to
- handle the procrastination urge,
- increase productivity,
- and meet personal and professional goals.
What Is The Root Cause Of Procrastination?
Procrastination is the act of delaying or postponing an intended course of action despite its negative consequences. It can be triggered by
- laziness,
- lack of motivation,
- or prioritizing other tasks over the task at hand.
The root cause of procrastination is usually a fear of failure and rejection. People who are afraid to fail will avoid trying new things. They do so to avoid the possibility of not being successful.
People who have a fear of rejection will also avoid trying new things. They may not try at all because they are afraid of the possibility of not being accepted. Yet by avoiding even attempting they never get the chance at succeeding.
If books are not your forte and yet you are interested in learning how to overcome procrastination, you can undertake courses on platforms like Udemy. The people at The Procrastination Fix also provide a very handy course that will help you beat procrastination and boost your productivity.
How To Stop Being A Procrastinator In 3 Easy Steps
- Write down everything you need to do today to make yourself more productive.
- Make a list of the most important tasks and start with the one that will get you closer to your goal (e.g., if your goal is to finish your thesis, then start with writing up the introduction).
- Create a deadline for each task, and stick to it!
Tips On When You Shouldn’t Quit To Live A More Fulfilling Life
You have set your goals in life. You want to be happy. You want to be successful. But sometimes, the pressure of society or family can make you feel like you are not living up to their expectations. And this can make you feel like giving up on your dreams and goals.
But the truth is that this is the time when you should not give up chasing your dreams and goals because they are what make you happy and fulfilled in life.
So if you ever find yourself in a situation where you feel like quitting, don’t do it! Keep going because you deserve it!
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, there are many great books on procrastination. They can help you understand and overcome this common challenge faced by many.
We have in this blog post curated the best books on procrastination for you. By reading these books, you can learn strategies to tackle procrastination head-on and achieve your goals.
Books on procrastination can provide you with the tools you need to overcome this habit. By choosing one of these resources, you can start to take back control of your life and achieve your goals.
So don’t wait any longer-pick up a good book on procrastination today!
Technology can also help you a lot if you want to overcome your habit to procrastinate. You may read our blog post on 17 Amazing Apps For Procrastination To Beat Procrastination.
If you are interested in overcoming the habit of procrastination, please feel free to DOWNLOAD our free e-book, Seven Days to Beat Procrastination.
Interested in building lasting habits read our blog post on the Best habit books you must read.