Do It Now!: Break the Procrastination Habit [Paperback]

William J. Knaus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 23, 1997

Dr. William J. Knaus's awareness/action approach has helped thousands of people overcome the adverse effects of procrastination. Now, this completely revised and updated edition of his classic bestseller can help you identify the root causes of your particular problem and develop a workable action plan to regain control of your life. Based on the latest research, Do It Now! includes:
* The Procrastination Inventory--a self-test to help you identify personal behavior patterns
* The six classic procrastination styles and how to overcome them
* Dozens of helpful exercises and strategies--plus special Do It Now! tips


"Don't procrastinate on reading this book and using its methods!" --Albert Ellis, Ph.D., President Albert Ellis Institute for Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

"This compelling book goes beyond procrastination and addresses a general style of life that points the way to less stress, more satisfaction, and greater achievement." --Arnold A. Lazarus, Ph.D., ABPP Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Rutgers University Coauthor, The 60-Second Shrink "Better than the excellent original. Must reading for all professionals and laypersons interested in the procrastination habit."-- Richard C. Springthall, Ph.D. Director of Graduate Studies, American International College Coauthor, Educational Psychology.

"By following Dr. Knaus's simple, elegant, and tested ideas, you'll get more of the rewards of life and create a more productive, powerful you." --Joseph Gerstein, Ph.D., FACP Harvard Medical School

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Do It Now! has already helped thousands of people overcome procrastination, a troublesome, almost universal trait that can block both personal and professional fulfillment. Using the "awareness/action" approach developed during over 25 years of clinical experience, therapist William Knaus shows readers how to first identify the root causes of their procrastination problem and then find workable solutions for overcoming them. This revised edition includes fresh insights and techniques based on the latest research.

From the Back Cover

Dr. William J. Knaus's awareness/action approach has helped thousands of people overcome the adverse effects of procrastination. Now, this completely revised and updated edition of his classic bestseller can help you identify the root causes of your particular problem and develop a workable action plan to regain control of your life. Based on the latest research, Do It Now! includes:

• The Procrastination Inventory—a self-test to help you identify personal behavior patterns
• The six classic procrastination styles and how to overcome them
• Dozens of helpful exercises and strategies—plus special Do It Now! tips

"Don't procrastinate on reading this book and using its methods!" —Albert Ellis, Ph.D., President Albert Ellis Institute for Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

"This compelling book goes beyond procrastination and addresses a general style of life that points the way to less stress, more satisfaction, and greater achievement." —Arnold A. Lazarus, Ph.D., ABPP Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Rutgers University Coauthor, The 60-Second Shrink "Better than the excellent original. Must reading for all professionals and laypersons interested in the procrastination habit."— Richard C. Springthall, Ph.D. Director of Graduate Studies, American International College Coauthor, Educational Psychology.

"By following Dr. Knaus's simple, elegant, and tested ideas, you'll get more of the rewards of life and create a more productive, powerful you." —Joseph Gerstein, Ph.D., FACP Harvard Medical School

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; Revised Edition edition (December 23, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471173991
• ISBN-13: 978-0471173991
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #432,820 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars interesting but not helpful, July 6, 1999

By 

Jennifer Kerns (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Do It Now!: Break the Procrastination Habit (Paperback)

This book is OK if you'd like some insights on why you procrastinate, but when it comes to breaking the habit, it falls way short. The book has a slightly judgemental tone to it. It treats the procrastinator like he is immature and lacking in self-esteem. The exercises go undone because they are really nothing more than a manifestation of the old "Just do it" advice.

Skip this book and get The Now Habit, by Neil Fiore. This one will treat you with respect, and it actually *works.*

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worthy of Study, January 28, 2005

By 

John G. Maguire (Lowell MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Do It Now!: Break the Procrastination Habit (Paperback)

Just taking a few minutes out from my scheduled work to write this review. I am about to order another copy of Knaus; that's how I found this set of reviews.

For the self-aware, perhaps those who have been in therapy and gotten a lot from it, this is a great book. Knaus invents a very useful term: "maintenance procrastination." This is the habit of postponing the boring stuff like mowing the lawn or answering e-mail or paying bills. Having this term to think with ("maintenance procrastination") has helped my understanding of my situation enormously.

I have made use of this book to conquer, over a period of about eight weeks, my maintenance procrastination.

What is so great about this book is this: Knaus really understands what goes on your your mind when you do the less important before the more important. And he also understands how the short-term avoidance of tension leads to longer-term depression. I am happy with this book, and am buying another copy. It is, though, mainly for the motivated and thoughtful. His is a cognitive approach, and it requires that you be the sort of person who thinks about his or her life.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book in the Field, September 8, 2000

By 

"jmckane" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Do It Now!: Break the Procrastination Habit (Paperback)

I've read many books on procrastination to correct my own bad habit of consistently putting work off. This book is very objective and written in a clean, concise English that is easy and enjoyable to read. Most importantly, however, is it's versatility. Practically any cause of procrastination imaginable is explained and helpful, effective solutions are suggested. William Knaus is a phenomenal writer who's vast knowledge of procrastination makes Do It Now! the BEST book in the field.