Procrastination: Why You Do It, What To Do About It (Paperback)

by Jane B. Burka (Author), Lenora M. Yuen (Author) "It's New Year's Day-time for your annual resolutions..." (more)
Key Phrases: one procrastinator, inner prosecutor, many procrastinators, Procrastination Inventory, Hello Procrastination, Mother You're (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Metapsychology Online Reviews, 3/24/09
“This book succeeds on many levels. It is a useful self-help guide for general readers and the lay public. Mental health professionals…will find innovative ideas and sage advice.”

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description
The classic guide to understanding and controlling one of the most common and frustrating behavioral problems.

Based on years of counseling, psychologists Jane B. Burka and Lenora M. Yuen offer a probing, sensitive, and sometimes humorous look at the problem that troubles everyone. Revealing the reasons we put off tasks-fears of failure, success, control, separation, and attachment-the authors outline a practical, tested program to overcome procrastination. Candid and understanding, Procrastination is a must-have today for anyone who puts everything off until tomorrow.

See all Editorial Reviews

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Product Details Paperback: 240 pages Publisher: Da Capo Press (August 3, 2004) Language: English ISBN-10: 0738209562 ISBN-13: 978-0738209562 Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #336,409 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
It's New Year's Day-time for your annual resolutions. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
one procrastinator, inner prosecutor, many procrastinators, other procrastinators, most procrastinators, using procrastination, people procrastinate, behavioral goal

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Procrastination Inventory, Hello Procrastination, Mother You're, The Comfort Zone, Total Hours Worked Toward Goal

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 7 books:

• How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life (Signet) by Alan Lakein on page 159, and Back Matter
• Stress without Distress (Signet) by Hans Selye in Back Matter
• Overcoming the Fear of Success by Martha Friedman in Back Matter
• Time Management ("Sunday Times" Business Skills) by Martin Scott in Back Matter
• Getting Things Done by Edwin C. Bliss in Back Matter

See all 7 books this book cites

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Books on Related Topics (learn more)

The Now Habit by Neil Fiore

Discusses:

• many procrastinators
• most procrastinators
• using procrastination

Procrastination by Jane Burka

Discusses:

• one procrastinator
• inner prosecutor
• many procrastinators

The Now Habit by Neil Fiore Discusses: many procrastinators most procrastinators using procrastination Procrastination by Jane Burka Discusses: one procrastinator inner prosecutor many procrastinators Loading...

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	74% buy the item featured on this page: Procrastination: Why You Do It, What To Do About It 4.8 out of 5 stars (18) $12.44
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Customer Reviews

18 Reviews 5 star:  (14) 4 star:  (4) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.8 out of 5 stars (18 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 97 of 100 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book Available for Overcoming Procrastination, May 8, 2006 By  Mary McKinney "Ph.D. Psychologist and Coach" (www.successfulacademic.com) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This is a great book with something for everyone. I'm the founder of Successful Academic Coaching and when I work with graduate students struggling with their dissertations and faculty members trying to publish, I recommend this book frequently. Many of my clients have found this book useful; some swear by it. The book contains two sections: understanding why we procrastinate, and outlining how to overcome it. It's a quick but useful read; the writing is clear, and the descriptions precise. You will definitely find yourself reflected in the array of problems, excuses, insecurities, stumbling blocks, and workable solutions. Whether you're a graduate student putting off your lit review, or a junior professor agonizing over a grant proposal, you'll discover WHY you procrastinate, and WHAT STEPS you can take to start moving forward. Fear is the basis of all procrastination, say Burka and Yuen, including fear of failure, of success, and of "losing the battle" - some of us procrastinate to show that we're in control of the situation. "You can't MAKE me do this!" we say, silently, as we refuse to comply with a demanding advisor, a nagging spouse, or even (OK, some folks are REALLY stubborn) an empty gas tank! The authors include a chapter on delving into your past - family attitudes, school patterns, etc. -- to learn why you've come to use procrastination as your chief coping mechanism. I'm a clinical psychologist, so I believe in understanding the past to understand current patterns -- as long as the insights are followed with action. Fortunately, Burka and Yuen promote action in the second half of their book. The cures they suggest are realistic. You didn't start procrastinating overnight, and you're not going to quit like that either. Burka and Yuen explain how to develop better work habits methodically, one step at a time. The authors recommend starting a 2-week program using many techniques. Among their recommendations: - Make goals that are observable. - Be specific. - Take small steps. - Reward yourself! - Avoid Perfectionism How do you stop procrastinating? You start one day at a time. Get this book to help you begin. (This review was co-written with my colleague, Liz Brown, who helps edit the dissertations and book proposals of some of my grad student and faculty clients.) 34 of 34 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Five Star Book on Procrastination!, October 22, 2006 By  Super Reader - See all my reviews I have read many, many time management and organization books. This book was the one that really made a difference. Until you know why you procrastinate and can't get things done, numbering your priorities will not help. Read this book first, then the time management books. The authors point out that not everyone drags their feet in the same areas, nor to the same extent. The book would probably be helpful to ANYONE, because everyone has things they'd like to get done, but can't seem to. The authors have you put together an "unschedule", a chart of your time that is already taken, as a way to see how much time you really have left for your goals. Just doing that was an eye opener. The book has many helpful suggestions and questions that I have not seen in other books. I wish I had known about it when it was first published in 1983 - I would have gotten more done!! 28 of 32 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Best book for Procrastination!!, December 11, 2005 By  P. Jain (India) - See all my reviews I have read many books by top authors on Procrastination. Most say write a goal, concentrate on your A1 task etc etc. But the point is-they miss on why you do it? Until unless you figure it out, you can't solve this problem completely, atleast on long term basis. We all procrastinate atleast on some areas. Authors list reasons why we do it in a proper manner. It could be your environment, your interaction with your school teacher/professor/parents, showing how great you are by doing nightout before exam and still passing etc etc. I feel to deal with it properly--one has to know the reason. I guess it is best in that sense and feel everyone should read it. (I would suggest everyone read the first chapter here in this site, especially the cycle of procastination) Thanks to authors for writing such a great book :)		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars A dynamic psychological report on procrastination, and what you can do about it Approaching unwelcome tasks with an "I'll do it tomorrow" mindset is not unusual behavior. The problem is, tomorrow quickly becomes today, so the procrastinator sets a new... Read more Published 3 months ago by Rolf Dobelli 5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent in-depth analysis of why we procrastinate and what to do about it This book explains the complex psychological mechanics behind what we simply call 'procrastination'. Read more Published 5 months ago by TheRamesh 5.0 out of 5 stars Don't put off buying this book No self help book can help everyone, but if procrastination is a problem give this book a try. It's an easy read that has a lot of helpful advice. Read more Published 5 months ago by hoopsfan 5.0 out of 5 stars If you search for this book , then buy it. I've been a procastinator all my life. And I always wanna why I did it, and what to do about it. I bought this book a few weeks ago. Read more Published 20 months ago by Waranusorn Sataponwong 5.0 out of 5 stars excellent book I bought this in conjunction with "The Now Habit". This is quite a different book, much more verbose (but in a good way) and tends to get a bit deeped, in my view, into the... Read more Published 20 months ago by Mark_a_reader 4.0 out of 5 stars Wordy I agree with the review by DeLonzor - I couldn't bear reading this book because I found the text very "bogged down" myself. Read more Published 21 months ago by jumpy1 5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT INSIGHT! Finally I've found something that can help me overcome the hurdle of procrastination! I know there are different variations and how it affects each of us, but this book outlined... Read more Published 21 months ago by D. Ehnat 4.0 out of 5 stars What's holding you back? (1) "Procrastination" by Burka and Yuen is clearly the beginning of an answer to what's holding us back from doing things. It is a kind of behavior that masks many problems. Read more Published 22 months ago by John Darrouzet 5.0 out of 5 stars Don't put off reading this book! I procrastinate only in certain areas, and I found from reading this book that this is normal. (Whew. Read more Published 24 months ago by Digital Dori 5.0 out of 5 stars WoW I cant put this book down. If feels as if its talking directly to me and I'm greatful for it. This book has brought me to higher levels of consciousness. Published on May 21, 2007 by SBPrincess Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Self Help Books that Really Help: A list by Penelope Williamson "Penelope"   Streamline Your Life and Work Toward Things More Efficiently: A list by Jeff Lippincott "www.Jlippin.com"   Books on Procrastination: A list by W. E. Jung "Tofu Love" Create a Listmania! list

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (August 3, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738209562
• ISBN-13: 978-0738209562
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #336,409 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

97 of 100 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book Available for Overcoming Procrastination, May 8, 2006

By	Mary McKinney "Ph.D. Psychologist and Coach" (www.successfulacademic.com) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a great book with something for everyone.

I'm the founder of Successful Academic Coaching and when I work with graduate students struggling with their dissertations and faculty members trying to publish, I recommend this book frequently. Many of my clients have found this book useful; some swear by it.

The book contains two sections: understanding why we procrastinate, and outlining how to overcome it. It's a quick but useful read; the writing is clear, and the descriptions precise. You will definitely find yourself reflected in the array of problems, excuses, insecurities, stumbling blocks, and workable solutions. Whether you're a graduate student putting off your lit review, or a junior professor agonizing over a grant proposal, you'll discover WHY you procrastinate, and WHAT STEPS you can take to start moving forward.

Fear is the basis of all procrastination, say Burka and Yuen, including fear of failure, of success, and of "losing the battle" - some of us procrastinate to show that we're in control of the situation. "You can't MAKE me do this!" we say, silently, as we refuse to comply with a demanding advisor, a nagging spouse, or even (OK, some folks are REALLY stubborn) an empty gas tank!

The authors include a chapter on delving into your past - family attitudes, school patterns, etc. -- to learn why you've come to use procrastination as your chief coping mechanism. I'm a clinical psychologist, so I believe in understanding the past to understand current patterns -- as long as the insights are followed with action. Fortunately, Burka and Yuen promote action in the second half of their book.

The cures they suggest are realistic. You didn't start procrastinating overnight, and you're not going to quit like that either. Burka and Yuen explain how to develop better work habits methodically, one step at a time.

The authors recommend starting a 2-week program using many techniques. Among their recommendations:
- Make goals that are observable.
- Be specific.
- Take small steps.
- Reward yourself!
- Avoid Perfectionism

How do you stop procrastinating? You start one day at a time. Get this book to help you begin.


(This review was co-written with my colleague, Liz Brown, who helps edit the dissertations and book proposals of some of my grad student and faculty clients.)

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Star Book on Procrastination!, October 22, 2006

By	Super Reader - See all my reviews

I have read many, many time management and organization books. This book was the one that really made a difference. Until you know why you procrastinate and can't get things done, numbering your priorities will not help. Read this book first, then the time management books. The authors point out that not everyone drags their feet in the same areas, nor to the same extent. The book would probably be helpful to ANYONE, because everyone has things they'd like to get done, but can't seem to. The authors have you put together an "unschedule", a chart of your time that is already taken, as a way to see how much time you really have left for your goals. Just doing that was an eye opener. The book has many helpful suggestions and questions that I have not seen in other books. I wish I had known about it when it was first published in 1983 - I would have gotten more done!!

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book for Procrastination!!, December 11, 2005

By	P. Jain (India) - See all my reviews

I have read many books by top authors on Procrastination. Most say write a goal, concentrate on your A1 task etc etc. But the point is-they miss on why you do it? Until unless you figure it out, you can't solve this problem completely, atleast on long term basis. We all procrastinate atleast on some areas. Authors list reasons why we do it in a proper manner. It could be your environment, your interaction with your school teacher/professor/parents, showing how great you are by doing nightout before exam and still passing etc etc. I feel to deal with it properly--one has to know the reason. I guess it is best in that sense and feel everyone should read it. (I would suggest everyone read the first chapter here in this site, especially the cycle of procastination)
Thanks to authors for writing such a great book :)