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The Procrastination Equation: How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Stuff Done
by
DON'T WAIT TO READ THIS BOOK: The world's leading expert on procrastination uses his groundbreaking research to offer understanding on a matter that bedevils us all. Writing with humour, humanity and solid scientific information reminiscent of Stumbling on Happiness and Freakonomics, Piers Steel explains why we knowingly and willingly put off a course of action despite recognizing we'll be wors
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Hardcover, 320 pages
Published
December 28th 2010
by Random House Canada
(first published January 1st 2010)
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Start your review of The Procrastination Equation: How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Stuff Done
Mar 13, 2011
Kate
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
desperate-attempts-at-self-improvem
Oh my God do I need this book. I actually put off buying this book for a couple of weeks after seeing it in our local indie bookstore, and finally bit the bullet and bought it yesterday. Finished it today, proving one of the authors points--that we tend to dive into things that are relevant and of value to us. Once I got the book, I found it relevant and of value. The first six chapters of the book are all about the science behind the study of procrastination. It ISN'T about perfectionism--it ha
...more
Would like to get to this book eventually....
With over 90% of "Good Reads" readers giving it a positive rating, it looks like I did well and, it being in the self-help category, I did good too. The ones who like it best turns out to be someone who is educated or at least appreciates that everything is scientifically backed, likes a wry sense of humour, and really wants to do something about their procrastination. They also don't hold my constructed characters, a vehicle to illustrate some techniques, to too high a literary standard; still,
...more
As self-help books go, this was very scientifically documented in the "why" and "how" procrastination happens, yet loosely structured enough in the "what to do" sections to make it flexible and approachable. As a veteran procrastinator, I'd say this will be very helpful to organizations and to individuals needing to get better at getting things done.
Satisfying my "red spine book" February reading challenge.
Satisfying my "red spine book" February reading challenge.
So what does it say about me that I started this book and had to return it to the library before I got to chapter 3?
Okay, I finally finished this book. I think it helped that I listened to it. I really did like it, but I can't say it offered anything new or useful to me. Mostly it was a good reminder and motivator to procrastinate less. I like self help books and how they get me to reflect on how things are going.
I must say, I don't think I really cared for the author's s ...more
Okay, I finally finished this book. I think it helped that I listened to it. I really did like it, but I can't say it offered anything new or useful to me. Mostly it was a good reminder and motivator to procrastinate less. I like self help books and how they get me to reflect on how things are going.
I must say, I don't think I really cared for the author's s ...more
I really need to curb off my habitual procrastination. And I thought this book would do it for me. How wrong I was.
It starts off well by explaining what causes procrastination in psychological and evolutionary terms and I am glad to have gained that knowledge. The tendency that saved us ages ago has become risky in the modern world where we continuously need to control our urges and think on a long-term basis. Then there were a few chapters putting down the negative impact of procrastination on ...more
It starts off well by explaining what causes procrastination in psychological and evolutionary terms and I am glad to have gained that knowledge. The tendency that saved us ages ago has become risky in the modern world where we continuously need to control our urges and think on a long-term basis. Then there were a few chapters putting down the negative impact of procrastination on ...more
May 07, 2019
Liesl Shurtliff
added it
Hello, my name is Liesl, and I am a procrastinator. There I said it! I've been in denial for years. But it's true. I procrastinate, right along with 99% of the rest of the world. This book was interesting and helpful. I like the scientific explanations for why we procrastinate. It shed light on my own habits, made me more self-aware. He also give some great tips about how we can beat our procrastinating habits. I've been implementing many of his recommendations and am finding them very helpful.
Very good. Seriously, halfway through reading this book I had a crazy burst of productivity. The action chapters are great, the science/history chapters somewhat less interesting, especially when you are reading the book to seek help!
I'll Review This later.
I picked this up with high expectations because Dan Ariely gave it a positive review. The key ideas are worthwhile, but Steel's laboured explanations are tedious and his tone is sometimes irritatingly smug. The studies in the references sound interesting, but sadly, they're barely glossed over in the book.
Very cool concepts on how to stop procrastination and why we procrastination. The methods are cool because we are all slowed down by the procrastination. Once one masters to control its methods then productivity increases and goals are met.
Fabulous book on the psychology of procrastination, and tips for how to overcome it. This book explores how we're hard-wired to procrastinate, ways modern society exacerbates the problem, and the economic costs of it.
I was worried the "equation" part of it would prove to be a pseudoscientific attempt to make it sound like he's quantified procrastination. I was pleasantly surprised that it is merely a helpful tool for understanding motivation:
Expectancy x Value
------ ...more
I was worried the "equation" part of it would prove to be a pseudoscientific attempt to make it sound like he's quantified procrastination. I was pleasantly surprised that it is merely a helpful tool for understanding motivation:
Expectancy x Value
------ ...more
I was interested to learn that even pigeons and chimpanzees procrastinate. Somehow that makes me feel better, that I share this tendency with the entire animal kingdom.
The author also points out that nobody procrastinates in every facet of their life. There is always something that we do promptly and regularly without agonizing about it.
For me there are two factors: value and impulsiveness. I procrastinate about the things that I don't really value (e.g. housework). And I did learn ...more
The author also points out that nobody procrastinates in every facet of their life. There is always something that we do promptly and regularly without agonizing about it.
For me there are two factors: value and impulsiveness. I procrastinate about the things that I don't really value (e.g. housework). And I did learn ...more
Having been personally shamed by the author into finishing the book, I upgraded my rating from three stars to four and my tagline from "less stupid than many self-help books" to "an intelligent self-help book." It gave me some good ideas, though I kept putting off finishing it for some reason. Ha! Procrastination joke! I recommended it to my shrink as a resource for people who want to read more about dealing with procrastination. I would read more books by the author.
Actually, I'd re ...more
Actually, I'd re ...more
This book is a great example of what an author does when he has a unique idea that can be succinctly explained in 10-20 pages but needs to multiply that by a factor of 10 to make money writing a book. Pretty high amount of fluff (chapters 5 and 6 especially seem like they were included just to fill pages). Lots of pop-sci style references that conflate informal surveys, or even myths, with real meta-analyses. Some explanations rely heavily on bunk evolutionary psychology.
If you're ab ...more
If you're ab ...more
Pretty good overall. The example action lists at the end are good, but each chapter should be summarised in half a page of dot point actions to be taken (given it is a self help book after all). Also it is obviously written before smart phones and streaming television and would heavily benefit from some rewriting or an additional chapter talking about these distractions. The authors’s hopes for tech to be the solution to procrastination were terribly misplaced in hindsight and an update to the b
...more
Jun 02, 2018
Gautam Ahuja
added it
Yup it helped
Great productivity book
I consume productivity books. Most give a nugget of wisdom at best. But this book is the holy grail of figuring out why you aren't getting "it" done. Best part is you get evidence-based solutions with well summized action plans at the end of each section. This is my favorite book I've read this year!
I consume productivity books. Most give a nugget of wisdom at best. But this book is the holy grail of figuring out why you aren't getting "it" done. Best part is you get evidence-based solutions with well summized action plans at the end of each section. This is my favorite book I've read this year!
This has happened to me before (most notably with Dweck's "Mindsets"): I find it really hard to rate this book. The central concept of this book is 5-star--more useful than anything else I've read about procrastination. But I found the writing to be 1-star--tedious, especially once the central premise has been explained.
I recommend reading the first chapters--just enough to understand the "equation" and, perhaps, the evolutionary basis for it. Once you've got that down, though, the rest just ta ...more
I recommend reading the first chapters--just enough to understand the "equation" and, perhaps, the evolutionary basis for it. Once you've got that down, though, the rest just ta ...more
I loved this. This was by far my favorite book on this subject which is my largest personal challenge in life.
I have not researched any of his sources and the many studies the author cites, and I do not plan to, so I cannot vouch for the accuracy of his book in the sense of larger society or science. But he does reference a LOT of experts and studies in various fields including economics, sociology, psychology, biology and more. It appeared to me that this author was EXTREMELY well versed in th ...more
I have not researched any of his sources and the many studies the author cites, and I do not plan to, so I cannot vouch for the accuracy of his book in the sense of larger society or science. But he does reference a LOT of experts and studies in various fields including economics, sociology, psychology, biology and more. It appeared to me that this author was EXTREMELY well versed in th ...more
This could possibly be the best self-help book I've ever read.
What makes it so great is that it isn't just a self-help book, it's a rich journey through the efforts put into understanding procrastination as a part of human nature and the results of those efforts.
This is NOT your average The Guide to Perfect Life™ supported by "I promise this will help you", ancient mystical techniques or anecdotal evidence.
This... is science... and Steel's integrational and in ...more
What makes it so great is that it isn't just a self-help book, it's a rich journey through the efforts put into understanding procrastination as a part of human nature and the results of those efforts.
This is NOT your average The Guide to Perfect Life™ supported by "I promise this will help you", ancient mystical techniques or anecdotal evidence.
This... is science... and Steel's integrational and in ...more
It's embarrassing how long it took me to get through this book, especially given the title! It shows I started about a month ago, but it really was a couple times before that where I'd check out the book and then never get around to actually reading it. But it does have a lot of good insight and ideas on how to stop procrastination. But just like any habit it takes time to get out of the habit of procrastinating - continuing to find ways to do things NOW, in every aspect of your life definitely
...more
Unsurprisingly, took me two tries over the span of 14 months to finish the book, which demonstrates the extent to which I need it!
This book is extremely helpful, and I highly recommend it to anyone who struggles with procrastination, dieting, saving money or any other behaviour that involves putting future needs ahead of present wants.
Where this book is extremely successful is in framing procrastination in a broader context of impulsivity, and attacking it that way. The f ...more
This book is extremely helpful, and I highly recommend it to anyone who struggles with procrastination, dieting, saving money or any other behaviour that involves putting future needs ahead of present wants.
Where this book is extremely successful is in framing procrastination in a broader context of impulsivity, and attacking it that way. The f ...more
This similar to another book that I recently read on willpower. However, I much preferred the style of this book. That said, my wife read about 20 pages and was bored to tears.
This book really grabbed me because the early chapters talk about the ways that we procrastinate and why. In the midst of these examples, I saw a few that described me exactly.
The end of the book focuses on ways to prevent procrastination. I'm sure you will have heard of every technique listed there ...more
This book really grabbed me because the early chapters talk about the ways that we procrastinate and why. In the midst of these examples, I saw a few that described me exactly.
The end of the book focuses on ways to prevent procrastination. I'm sure you will have heard of every technique listed there ...more
Oct 03, 2011
Ian Burrell
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
self-help-and-improvement
I bought this book on impulse at a train station on the commute to work. Since reading the book I have learned that impulsiveness is a cause of procrastination.
The book it an interesting read, exploring the psychological, cultural and social origins and causes of procrastination.
Through understanding how and why we procrastinate, with a few helpful tips, the book arms us to deal with our excessive procrastination.
It's early days, and I still procrastinate, but ...more
The book it an interesting read, exploring the psychological, cultural and social origins and causes of procrastination.
Through understanding how and why we procrastinate, with a few helpful tips, the book arms us to deal with our excessive procrastination.
It's early days, and I still procrastinate, but ...more
I am one of the people in the world who has a problem with putting things off, and that inspired me to check out this book. There were a number of times when I read examples in the book and thought, "Oh my God, that's me!" (I am a Time-Sensitive Tom.) The author has created an equation that describes the effects of procrastination, and that equation has even been used by companies in employee and management training. It is easy to see why! It can be frustrating to find yourself in the same self-
...more
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The author seeks to provide a unified theory of procrastination and does an admirable job of it. I would give it a 4.5 stars if I could. I knock a half point off because he gives some very useful techniques only a brief mention and also fails to mention the person who created the ideas except in the footnotes. However, this is a book I would recommend to everyone, because it describes something that is part of the human condition so well.
The other procrastination book I highly recomm ...more
The other procrastination book I highly recomm ...more
Some great tools and techniques to be more productive and have better time management. I will definitely be utilizing some of these immediately!
Mar 01, 2018
Ami Zelkova
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
anyone, especially procrastinators
Shelves:
2018-reading-list
This was so close to a 5 star review, but the cheesy, made-up anecdotes really killed it for me. Otherwise, a very useful and helpful book. It just felt a little too self-congratulatory at times.
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