Do It Now!: Break the Procrastination Habit (Paperback)

by William J. Knaus (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
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

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; Revised edition (December 9, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471173991
• ISBN-13: 978-0471173991
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #103,584 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Jennifer Kerns (High Springs, FL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.*

29 of 29 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)

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 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, August 31, 2005

By	Neon Artemis (TX, USA) - See all my reviews

I checked this book out from the library and I felt really motivated and started on all my projects, this is the only book I have read on this subject. I was really puzzled by all the negative or so-so reviews from other procrastinators (many who think they are quite clever embedding their procrastation habits into their reviews in a way they think is humorous. It is funny but after the 4th review it gets a little stale). You see, when I understand why I am doing something, I then know I can change it, that possibility alone motivates me. Knaus does bring across many possible solutions for one to try in addition to identifying all the reasons and causes. One cannot change what's in the dark in the dark, so yes, knowing the reasons sheds the light on it you need in order to change it.

Bottom line : If you REALLY REALLY want to stop procrastinating in your heart and are fed up with it, and are SERIOUS about changing, if you learn by understanding intellectually the causes to your problems, this book will help you. It might not be everyone's learning language, (it's not overly emotionally supportive, there are no charts, it's more mind based) but the author certainly knows his stuff. It's up to you to do the psychological work.

I'm definately going to buy a copy now.