Procrastination: Why You Do It, What to Do about It

by Jane B. Burka, Lenora M. Yuen, Lenora M. Burka, Jane B.; Yuen

Book Overview

Procrastination is a problem that strikes millions of people in every walk of life. California psychologists Jane B. Burka and Lenora M. Yuen pinpoints several causes of procrastination and show how to shake this fascinating tendency once and for all.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0201101904
• ISBN13: 9780201101904
• Release Date: January 1984
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 227 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.

Customer Reviews

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 psychology of procrastination. Which is useful. If I absolutely had to choose, I would choose "The Now Habit". But I would strongly suggest that you read this book also. It does cover things that the Now Habit does not cover very well. Our society tends to take a very simple view of procrastination, which can have fairly complex causes. This book helped me understand many of the roots of my behavior and, painfully, I recognized many of my behavior patterns. That alone is "worth the price of admission". This book will help you deal with your procrastination.

Five Star Book on Procrastination!

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!!

It worked for me.

I beg to differ with an earlier reviewer on the importance of HOW over WHY. Many procrastinators, including many who are oblivious, go through expensive how-to books, courses, fads, movements, gadget, etc. for decades all the while ignoring the WHY. Overcoming procrastination isn't really about making a plan and keeping it, as some would have you believe. If it were that easy millions wouldn't be morbidly obese, maxed out on credit cards, stuck in jobs they hate, in deadend relationships, unable to get file tax returns or pay bills on time. In short, this is a great book because it reveals the meat of the matter, WHY. I read it over a decade ago and it really opened my eyes to what was really holding me back. I subsequently developed several patents, founded a venture capital funded firm which is still running, and have a lot more fun - not bad for someone without a college degree. Read this book first, then decide what to do next. I've given copies to friends and coworkers. You might have a radically changed perspective on what tool is needed. Thanks Jane and Lenora!

An indispensible guide for those plagued by procrastination.

This book gives a the reader a new outlook on the problem of procrastination. People use procrastination as a tool to deal with life's problems. Burke and Yuen will help you discover why and provide a starting place to overcome it. I bought a copy for myself last year. Now I buy one for nearly everyone who complains that they can't stop procrastinating. I also buy it for people that live with procrastinators, since it has a section on how to deal with procrastinators and important to me it explains that procrastination isn't laziness or apathy. Of course, a book can't do anything for you unless you really want to stop procrastinating. Don't put it off until next week. BUY IT. It will pay for itself in saved overdue library book and video rental fines.