From School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up-This guide for high school and college students offers practical tips to eliminate procrastination through time management and organization. Josel, who has 15 years of experience as an academic/life coach, advises students to use charts to block out time for assignments, after-school activities, and chores. A chapter on avoiding distractions suggests that students turn off autoplay to avoid binge-watching, close all browser windows that aren't related to homework, and use apps to block social media notifications while studying. The section on motivation recommends facing fears about failure and getting comfortable making mistakes. Other helpful tips include using color-coded materials for each subject, creating a "launching pad" near the front door to gather materials needed for the following day, forming study groups to increase accountability, and breaking down big projects into smaller pieces with scheduled time to work on each section. Although useful, the subject matter is fairly dry, so the target audience probably won't read this cover to cover. If they browse through chapters and download time-saving apps including Evernote, which shares school notes across all of their devices, it will still improve their productivity. The text doesn't address learning disabilities or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but young adults are advised to talk to parents and counselors if they suspect they need help. The text's conversational style is direct, jovial, and nonjudgmental. Charts, graphs, and quotes break up the text. VERDICT A solid purchase for high school and college collections.-Amy Duffy, Chicago P.L.α(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review
"Direct, jovial, and nonjudgmental...A solid purchase for high school and college collections."--School Library Journal
"How To Do It Now needs to be on everyone's back-to-school shopping list! As a parent I know that it's critical for teens to learn how to do what they need to do..now. And this book dives deep into all the reasons why they don't while offering tons of real life and practical tips on time management to motivation and everything in between. And I love Leslie's voice. It's real and pragmatic and funny. Not preachy. Her advice will resonate for readers of every age. How To Do It Now needs to be on everyone's back-to-school shopping list!" -- Dale B., M. Booth
"Hey Guys! This book is the easiest and fastest way for you to learn how to help yourself. If your parents are constantly on you about school stuff, how you manage your time or things like that you'll definitely want to use this book." ― Ryan Wexelblatt, LCSW (ADHD Dude)
"Listen up, parents! This is the book that will get teens nodding their heads―and actually using the strategies and tips as they transform their study time! Teens and college students alike will feel totally empowered as they tackle their toughest obstacles: procrastination, distraction, organization, and all the rest. With real-life examples and a super-readable format, students will gain the practical help they need to power through their studies and do their best work."-- Amy McCready, author of The "Me, Me, Me" Epidemic: A Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Capable, Grateful Kids in an Over-Entitled World
"Procrastination could well become a thing of the past if every young person were to read this dynamic, enjoyable and effective book. The author, Leslie Josel, packs the pages with energizing insights, tips and strategies that give students clarity as to why they procrastinate and teaches them how to develop smart study habits and organizational skills that go a long way towards freeing them from this common behavior and its counterproductive consequences. The chapter topics read like a road map to getting things done, and the content throughout is organized in such a way as to make it easily digestible. One can open the book to just about any page and, within minutes, glean something relevant and valuable that can immediately be put to use. There is nothing dry about this book, quite the contrary. Ms. Josel imbues her expert guidance with warmth, humor, intelligence and understanding, a winning combination that excites and motivates readers to continually hone their skills and to utilize the abundance of concrete tools she puts at their disposal." -- Tillywig Awards 2020
"Wow, as a recent college graduate where was this book when I needed it in high school and college? I liked the introduction Josel gives before you read as it gives context for what you're going to read and what she wants you to take away from the book. It puts you in the right mindset to receive the information she is giving. I love that the focus was on the why behind procrastination and strategies to address those reasons specifically rather than just general statements. As someone who procrastinates because I feel like everything has to be perfect, which cause me to not even start, her suggestions on how to overcome that helped me immensely.
By page 13 alone, I already felt like I knew more than when I started. This book has an encouraging tone which I love as it feels like the author is really trying to help the readers. I enjoyed how the book itself was structured as she includes worksheets and relevant apps, several of which I downloaded. I also liked the inclusion of examples of real people dealing with procrastination problems and how she helped them work through their problems. I thought there was good humor in this book, especially with her own children's advice.
Overall, this book will be extremely helpful for students and even non-students who struggle with procrastination. The author did a great job of explaining the why behind the techniques, so you can better understand before you try to implement something. I am excited to try to organize my life more using the worksheets, techniques, and apps she included in the book." --Alexia H., NetGalley
"Who doesn't procrastinate everything now and then?This is a self- help book that is split up into 8 useful chapters. It is a great book and I can see it being helpful in many different situations. I can also see it being a wonderful resource for students needing to learn how to manage their time better." --Madeline D., NetGalley
"Very useful and has some good points in it. I enjoyed it and learned some good tips. It's not usually what I read but I had a good time. I am really glad that I chose to read it. I would recommend it." --Tanushree P., NetGalley
"I'll say that being past my own high school and college-aged years, I have learned a lot of the lessons in this book the hard way and can contest to their usability and accuracy. The author is funny and relatable which is particularly useful for the targeted demographic of this self-help guide (teens and college-aged students). The book offers advice in a non-preachy, non-lecture format while emphasizing the fact that these tips are to be molded to the individual and aren't one-for-all. I found that the tips and stories from the author's own clients were incredibly helpful to see her tips and advice in play. I definitely related to some of those struggles and it definitely helped put the author's advice in context.
Overall I believe this book accomplishes what it set out to do and is a great resource for any teen, young adult, or adult who feels that they are procrastinating or (as the author mentioned) suffer from the anxiety that can come with feeling that one is procrastinating. Overall anyone who isn't procrastinating can also benefit from this guide as the tips and advice are applicable to any office setting or time management scenario." --Jennifer G., bookseller
"There are an endless amount of self-help and time management books geared towards adults, but you don't hear about the books for younger people, like teens, as often. I thought this book was perfect for the target demographic. It is easy to read and full of the best strategies a teen life coach could offer.
I appreciated the fact that this book addressed the many different reasons people may procrastinate and that the author provided multiple tools and solutions for each cause. I also like that each chapter included at least one App recommendation to help students with their procrastination problems. I had never heard of some of the recommended apps before, and I scroll through the productivity apps in the App Store for fun...
There are also worksheets demonstrated throughout the book, which are available on the book's website and which I definitely plan on using in the future.
I would recommend this book to teens and young adults who are either struggling with procrastination or enjoy self-help/productivity books. I would also recommend it to adults who feel intimidated by the more complex, longer, or more boring books covering this topic but targeting an older audience. Finally, parents who want to know how to help their kids with their procrastinating behaviors might get something out of reading this one." --Martine F., NetGalley
"Some good strategies forstudents of any level to help with school and school work done at home.Different tools, topics and persons stories and tips. Maybe more suitedfor those in high school/college/ university. But can be worked foryounger students too." --Alexandra R., NetGalley
"As a parent, I know that it is so important to teach your kids the skill of getting things done early and properly - good habits last a lifetime and so, unfortunately, do bad habits. This book is written for teens to help them learn how not to procrastinate. It is a great book with many useful tools. Sometimes, it is easier for a teen to learn from someone other than their parents; this book is a great way to help them learn not to procrastinate. It is well-written and easy to follow. Lots of great advice. I highly recommend it and I plan on sharing it with the teens in my life who could use a helping hand." --Parent review, NetGalley
"I actually procrastinated reading this book so clearly, I needed it. Even with me having graduated college I could still learn a lot from this book so even if it seems geared towards students I found that it could be helpful for everyone. The author is very concise and sticks to the point. The book gives useful and practical tips that can be easily implemented, it also provides tools like worksheets and it also suggests some time management apps to download. Overall it was very useful!" --Daniella D., NetGalley"Procrastination - A term all of us are familiar with and have procrastinated at some point or the other in our lives.
Quote - Any opportunity to do something is also an opportunity not to do it - Eli Josel!
This Self-Help book is divided into Eight very insightful chapters,
- Introduction to Procrastination
- Time Management
- Homework
- Study skills
- Planning
- Routines & rituals
- Organizing
- Distraction
- Motivation
A very sagacious and sharp book, which covers some very important topics. A resourceful guide to students, but anyone else wanting to pick up a few stratagem, this is the book. Every chapter has a lot of key takeaways and is structured very well.
Rating - 4/5 Stars
Recommendation - High
Conclusion,
Procrastination can strike,
- Right at the beginning of the task
- Due to lack of time
- Lack of structure
Different types of procrastination need different tools to help them. This book highlights a lot of brilliant tools and techniques. Very well constructed book with a lot of salient points." --Prarthana N, Reviewer
From the Author
I am BEYOND excited to be able to officially announce the publication of my new book -- HOW TO DO IT NOW..CAUSE IT'S NOT GOING AWAY! Yup, a book on procrastination, geared to teens and college students. (But trust me parents, there is tons of good stuff for you in here too!).
In all my years of working with students (and their parents) THIS TOPIC is the #1 concern, complaint or fear that I hear. And here's what I know. That students -- for the most part -- procrastinate for different reasons than adults do AND their procrastination shows up differently too. So I dug deep, INTERVIEWED tons of my students, and packed this book with REAL tips, REAL stories, REAL successes (and misses) that will truly hit home.
You'll find chapters about study skills, time management, motivation, organization and yes, mood! It's real, it's straight talk (but kind), funny but never condescending, and most importantly, it's written with a student's point of view! My favorite part? The CLASSROOM CONFESSIONALS that are peppered throughout the book. Trust me when I say that nothing was held back!
I always say that this parenting journey should NEVER be taken alone. I'm hoping you'll allow this book to come along on yours! --Leslie Josel
From the Inside Flap
If you're reading this book, I'm thinking it's because someone else might have suggested it to you. Why do I think that? Because every day, five times a day, as an academic/life coach for teens, I'm speaking to parents about their concerns regarding your procrastination. And these discussions are fraught with emotion, anxiety and confusion.
So if I'm having these conversations with your parents, I'm assuming you are too.
My goal in writing this book is to help you understand why you procrastinate, and provide support, guidance and real advice so you can develop and implement strategies to manage it.
And in doing so, I've included A LOT of information. So before you dive in, I want to remind you of a few things: The book is meant as a guide, one to pick up again and again, whether to learn a new set of skills or just as a refresher. Some of the strategies will hit home immediately, and others you will dismiss outright. Some of the methods are meant for high schoolers, others for college students. To get the most out of this book, go through it at your own pace, on your own time and in your own way.
Just to be clear, the book isn't preachy or bossy or filled with endless statistics and research that you won't read or care much about. I offer no judgment or absolutes. No one-size-fits-all solutions. Just straight-up, user-friendly tips.
From the Back Cover
Let's face it. Everyone procrastinates.
But procrastination is a particularly daunting challenge for students. Your projects feel overwhelming. It's hard to get motivated to study without an immediate deadline. And distractions--from friends to screens to the refrigerator--are everywhere. No judgement--we've all been there.
And while we're all wired to put things off, we also have the capacity to learn how to manage this tendency.
How to Do It Now Because It's Not Going Away is a straight-talking guide filled with real-life solutions to help students get done what they need to get done. Now. Packed with easily digestible tips, as well as stories from real students, this book teaches readers to stay on top of homework, develop time management skills, create easy-to-follow routines, balance distractions and motivation, establish smart study habits, and get unstuck and started.
In her breezy, witty style, internationally recognized academic and parenting coach Leslie Josel opens the door to a student's view of procrastination, dives deep into what that really looks like, and offers up her Triple Ts--tips, tools and techniques--to teach students how to get stuff done . . . now.
About the Author
Leslie Josel is an award-winning academic/life coach for teens and college students, who founded Order Out of Chaos® to help students learn the skills they need to succeed in learning and in life. She is also an award-winning author, creator of an academic planner that helps students master time management skills, and an internationally acclaimed speaker on topics spanning from time management to raising problem solvers to procrastination.
