Customer Reviews

Do It Now!: Break the Procrastination Habit

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.*

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.

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.

I read this book recently after a teacher told me it was the best book on the subject. Must say I'd have to agree. I picked up some valuable tips for getting things done now and not waiting until tomorrow. Well worth the purchase!

This book is loaded with stuff that will not be applicable to every reader. The thing is, different parts will be useful (or not) to each reader individually. Reading "Do It Now!" could easily turn out to be like that old saying about new medical students: they feel infected with all sorts of illnesses that show up in their textbooks! Clearly, ALL the material in this book could never fit any one person, but every person will find some material in there which does fit. It is true that the author's tone often comes across "preachy," but the information is nevertheless good.

In a couple places the author asks the reader to do a life story journal kind of thing. If this sounds like lots of fun, by all means participate! Most persons will consider this a mild turn-off, though, and can easily be detoured. The self-assessment quiz in the beginning, however, does have great value for getting into "Do It Now!" later along, especially for which parts to pay most attention to. To his credit, the author sticks in a what-to-do-about-it section right after discussing a particular procrastination "pathology." These sections are well done. Also, the later chapters in the book do explain procrastination solving activities or methods quite well. Like the rest of the book, not everything works for everybody.

The trick, again, is to read the book knowing that much of the material can be skipped if it does not "fit" well. This is a good book to buy, as it will serve as a very good reference.

This book allowed me to evaluate my procrastination issues pretty accurately, but I didn't really gain any more insight into them. It did a good job at telling me what I already knew. Most of the suggestions it offers seem pretty good, but I had trouble sticking with them. This book has basically motivated me to kick the procrastination habit, but I'm not motivated enough to actually start doing it. Although, I am more aware of my problem now.

It took me a little while to get into the writing style of this book. I understand what some other reviewers are saying about the tone... You have to realize that any writing that deals with an abstract subject matter like procrastination will be complex and wordy. This book is very broad in context and written in a philosophical language that is interesting to read. Most importantly, however, was the depth of looking into reasons why people procrastinate.

I have learned to gather ideas from this book about the true nature of procrastination. I have read quite a few books on the subject and am beginning to see a pattern that has formed through past life experiences and our own personal survival strategy. While procrastination can be a bad habit that prevents us from change happening in our lives, it can also be a sign of insecurity and uncertainty of the outcomes. Mr. Knaus's book is one of the must read books for people who want to learn more about this field.

The best book on procrastination. Very well written and objective. You have to really want to change in addition to the reading the book. The book puts you in the correct mindset to evaluate everything you do to postpone the inevitable. His insight into short term avoidance is very good.

Woops, now I own two versions of the same book:
a. the hardcover of
Break the Procrastination Habit . . . Now!
hundreds of solutions to help you get organized and avoid time traps; and
b. the paperback of
Do It Now! Break the Procrastination Habit, which is revised edition and altered title of Break the Procrastination Habit Now.

It took me a long time to get around to this book. I'd been aware of its existence for some time, but something prevented me from checking it out. Putting things off like this seems to be a personal behaviour pattern of mine; the "awareness/action" transition is one I've always found particularly difficult. I have, however, finally obtained the book in the hope that it can unblock my personal and professional fulfilment - when I finish it, that is. I find the book is full of valuable insights and certainly has the potential to help me identify the root causes of my particular problem and develop a workable action plan to regain control of my life. I find the book so helpful and diverting, however, that I keep going back and re-reading sections and chapters that I find particularly inspiring or interesting. This activity is leading me to spend more and more time perusing this book, without ever really getting to the end of it. I wish to implement all the ideas in my life, and can't wait to begin work on my Procrastination Inventory etc., but find that this book is serving as a kind of delaying mechanism. I find such comfort in spending time reading Do It Now! tips, doing Procrastination excercises and planning strategies that I seem to be postponing the rest of my life. I've been meaning to write to the author for advice, but haven't gotten around to it yet...