The Procrastination Workbook: Your Personalized Program for Breaking Free from the Patterns That Hold You Back (Paperback)

by William Knaus (Author) "I am procrastination. I come in different guises..." (more)
Key Phrases: Ben Franklin, New Year, Procrastination Machinations (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
At its worst, procrastination can sabotage personal relationships and impede professional progress. The Procrastination Workbook distills the most effective techniques available to help readers identify why they put things off and find solutions. Based on 30 years of research, the book offers a plan for counteracting this undesirable trait at work, home, or school. Quizzes, worksheets, and tips make the process engaging and fun.

From the Publisher
This is the first workbook to help chronic procrastinators overcome this universal and frustrating problem. William Knaus has compiled the best insights and most effective treatment techniques into one clear program, helping readers take the key step of identifying the root causes of their problem and their personal procrastination style, and then learn how to change the underlying mechanisms that reinforce their procrastinations. Step-by-step exercises show readers how to tailor an individualized plan for staying motivated and countering procrastination at work, at home, in school, in relationships, and everywhere else it occurs. Based on over thirty years of clinical experience and research into the cause and treatment of procrastination.

Product Details

• Paperback: 170 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications; 1 edition (November 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572242957
• ISBN-13: 978-1572242951
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #266,149 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

148 of 154 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joking about procrastination is funny only because it hurts, March 3, 2003

By	David Wade (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

In page after page I find myself gasping as William Knaus explains the different ways I have developed to procrastinate my life away. Knaus describes procrastination as a complex mixture of discomfort, self-doubts, perfectionism, fear of failure, anxiety, rebellion and depression developed over a lifetime. He explains how heaping blame on yourself only drives you to procrastinate more and he has created thought questions to help you develop the skills you need to pause, resist, reflect and respond.

A life changing weapon against the graveyard of missed opportunities, I highly recommend it!

93 of 109 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, July 17, 2004

By	sasha_ (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

Since there are only two reviews (well just one, really) I thought I should give my perspective to fill the picture out a bit. Remember, this is just my personal view.

I take it that the author is strongly influenced by Albert Ellis's REBT system. I don't know very much about it, but I would also guess that if you like Ellis' work, you'll probably enjoy Knaus' as well.

I on the other hand was turned off by the way the author presents his ideas. He seems to use complicated lingo--not always clinical, but usually obscure--to say things that could be expressed more clearly. For instance, towards the beginning we find that we'll diminish procrastination through "self regulation training". "Self efficacy is the belief that you have the power to organize, regulate, and direct your actions to achieve mastery. With high self efficacy, you'll predictably procrastinate less. With low self efficacy, you are likely to procrastinate more. Among the self regulation methods, the PURRRR acronym describes a six step--pause, utilize, reflect, reason, respond, and revise--process to keep your 'do it now' engine purring." And it goes on like that. While I don't disagree with what he says, I find that his writing style gets very little across. But I quoted him so that you can form your own opinion.

No matter how challenging this affliction can be for someone who is a confirmed procrastinator, dealing with it is not rocket science, and there's no need to obscure the matter.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Self Awareness!!, July 2, 2009

By	Louise (USA) - See all my reviews

I participated in a study group of this book. I met the other study group members through Clutterers Anonymous.

This book is very thought provoking. There are descriptions of research about procrastination as well as examples. I liked the clear writing with definitions and examples of concepts. This is not a simple flip-through the book and skim-read; the material does require serious concentration. The font is large which makes easy to read. The layout is nicely divided with subject headings and clear connections from chapter to chapter.

Responding to the questions at the end of each chapter helped me to be clear on understanding each chapter before progressing to the next chapter. I would recommend this book to anyone who is brave enough to self-assess for why procrastination is such a part of their life's journey pattern.