The techniques work. I've been a hard-core procrastinator for all my five decades -- heck, I was even late being born -- but this book has changed my life in less than a month. When you're ready to change, this is the book to buy -- read it, and follow its wisdom.

Please stop beating yourself up long enough to read this book. I have gotten more done on languishing projects in less time and had much more fun in my life since applying the "Unschedule" instead of my former process that began with an impossible to-do list followed by a day of procrastination and an evening of regret and guilt (sound like fun?). This is a new way of thinking about planning your time that not only works but makes you enjoy your time more. If you have any guilt over things you haven't done (calling all writers!) read this book and take a sigh of relief.

This book is the single most effective book I have found to deal with the problem of procrastination. It approaches the problem from a new perspective that really hits home for a life-long procrastinator. Thank you, Dr. Fiore, for the real help instead of just another book telling you to do it now!

This book rocks. It delves into the real reasons behind why we procrastinate. For example, it gives me insight into why I am writing this review instead of preparing for a very important meeting that I have tomorrow. Hopefully, it will help you and I get closer to achieving our goals.

I really like this book and even as I am just beginning to implement Dr. Fiore's tips I can see a change. I must say that the first couple of disks are hard to listen to, I would start with disk 5 or 6, continue on to 7 and then start back with disk 1 and continue through. Having context for where the book is headed makes the early disks much more helpful. I recommend this book highly, non the less.

This book has helped in changing my way of thinking from procrastinator to "producer." I am only half way through the book at this point but it is very good so far. I highly recommend this to anyone who catches themselves saying "I should" do this or "I have" to do that. This book focuses a lot on positive self talk and gives you the tools and language you need to change your bad habits.

******
I give this book six stars, as it is helping me (an overwhelmed workaholic) to overcome a lifelong problem with procrastination. Really. Just from a book, albeit a great book!

The author, Neil Fiore, defines procrastination as "a mechanism for coping with the anxiety associated with starting or completing any task or decision." Procrastination is a strategy to obtain temporary relief from stress, not a character defect or a personal or moral failure (as I'd thought before reading this book).

The book addresses key issues underlying procrastination so that by the time you have finished with the book you are prepared to overcome the habit of procrastination in your life. For example, for me one obstacle I've struggled with (but didn't know it before reading the book) was "the fear that you must deprive yourself of leisure time in order to satisfy some unseen judge". Guilt-free play was something I never did; I rarely played at all, and if I did I felt guilty. The author shows you how to build guilt-free play into your schedule so that you are paradoxically MORE productive rather than less. Another example is I figured out that I viewed my projects as reflections of my worth as a person; the book gave me self-talk so that I can separate my self-esteem from the work I do. These are just two examples; I'm sure that whatever your issues with procrastination, you'll find them addressed here, and then be equipped with the tools to overcome them.

Here is a great quote that the author uses from William James: "Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task." If you're like me and want to end the tyranny of your "To Do" list once and for all, you will absolutely not be disappointed!

Highest recommendation!
******

******
I give this book six stars, as it is helping me (an overwhelmed workaholic) to overcome a lifelong problem with procrastination. Really. Just from a book, albeit a great book!

The author, Neil Fiore, defines procrastination as "a mechanism for coping with the anxiety associated with starting or completing any task or decision." Procrastination is a strategy to obtain temporary relief from stress, not a character defect or a personal or moral failure (as I'd thought before reading this book).

The book addresses key issues underlying procrastination so that by the time you have finished with the book you are prepared to overcome the habit of procrastination in your life. For example, for me one obstacle I've struggled with (but didn't know it before reading the book) was "the fear that you must deprive yourself of leisure time in order to satisfy some unseen judge". Guilt-free play was something I never did; I rarely played at all, and if I did I felt guilty. The author shows you how to build guilt-free play into your schedule so that you are paradoxically MORE productive rather than less. Another example is I figured out that I viewed my projects as reflections of my worth as a person; the book gave me self-talk so that I can separate my self-esteem from the work I do. These are just two examples; I'm sure that whatever your issues with procrastination, you'll find them addressed here, and then be equipped with the tools to overcome them.

Here is a great quote that the author uses from William James: "Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task." If you're like me and want to end the tyranny of your "To Do" list once and for all, you will absolutely not be disappointed!

Highest recommendation!
******

I wish I could say that I've listened to the entire book on CD, but I'm stuck at disk number 2. I've listened to it several times and can't tell you what was said.

I'm fascinated by the reading style of the narrator. I can't get past that voice and that intonation- it's all I can hear when I try to listen to the CD. The narrator uses some of the strangest speaking rhythms I've ever heard. Maybe not the strangest, but he ties for strangest. I think the he studied acting or script reading at the William Shatner school of acting.

Maybe I'll buy the book, in the hopes that it's better than the CD, and that I can get through it without wanting to jump off a bridge. But maybe not- I've already paid for the CD.

Does anyone want to buy a nearly new book on CD? Many of the disks are still in their virginal state.

Get your highlighter out because Dr. Fiore really gives some great advice on what you can do to overcome your tendency to procrastinate.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, he clutters the book with profiles, descriptions or stories of people who allegedly suffer from procrastination. The stories, frankly, sound made up or like they are composites of several people's experiences. I found this unnerving: going from really hardcore direct advice to a clearly fake story about a clearly non-existent person.

Fiore could have made his book far stronger - even if far shorter - by dumping these bits and pieces of fiction.

I found that the only way I could get through "The Now Habit" was to highlight the bits and pieces of solid counsel and ignore the silly "case studies". Do that and "The Now Habit" is a good place to turn when you're suffering from procrastination.

Jerry

Ok, for those of you that procrastinate (like me) - buy this immediately!

Honestly, I held off buying this book and Jane Burka's book "Procrastination" because I thought, well, they probably won't have anything to say that is new for me...

Well, I was wrong. The idea of the "unschedule" alone is worth the price of this book. But, importantly, I wouldn't suggest that you give this book just a quick read if you have some deep procrastination habits (like I do). I have already found that I am going back to the book for further insight and ideas.

So far, it has helped me get things done.

The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play originally was published in 1989, so perhaps everyone besides me has already read this book ... but I found it incredibly helpful in diagnosing my current procrastination problems with finishing my book and getting done some nagging stuff on my to-do list.

Pros:

- Practical tools to diagnose your problems (keeping a procrastination log).
- The "Unschedule" tool to schedule your fun time, to keep you motivated to get your work done.
- Acknowledgment that most of us actually only have 15-20 hours a week for the big projects, once you plan for meetings, email, phone calls, showers, kids, sleeping, and the rest of life.
- Great for self-employed people who have wide open but incredibly busy schedules.

Cons:

- Really, you've heard a fair amount of the stuff in this book (keeping track of your time, setting goals, etc.) but I found it was presented in a way that was helpful to me.
- If you are not a self-motivated person, not sure that scheduling "fun" time will get you motivated to do work; especially if you are not sure what you should be working on.
- The Now Habit contains a bunch of procrastinator stories that frankly, I speed-read through because reading about other procrastinators make me upset, but those stories may be very helpful if you feel alone in your habits.

What I've already used:

- Realized that the reason I was procrastinating on finishing my book (it was 98% done) was avoiding delayed failure. In other words, when I finish my book it will be published and I could fail at selling the book, so if I never finish, I can't fail. Nuts.
- Used the "unschedule" to figure out I only have 15 hours a week for major projects.
- First day I used the "unschedule" I got all my work done by 2:30 PM. I didn't know what to do with all that time -- it was weird and great!

This was most excellent. It really gave me insights into why I procrastinate. I received many useful tips and strategies.

Useful book for all procrastinators out there. I have less anxiety about starting my projects. Also I have less guilt about having fun and not working. Learn new strategies instead blaming your parents for not teaching you the right way.

I bought this book several weeks ago and have now read it twice. I've recommended it to many other people at my work. It's a book not just for procrastinators, but for anyone who occasionally finds Mondays depressing, and who feels that work is taking over their lives. In my opinion, the most powerful concept Fiore offers is that of scheduling (he calls it the "unschedule") non-work time; i.e., errand time, living time, fun time (especially fun time), down time -- and sticking to that schedule. The idea is two-fold: it gives you an accurate idea of how much time there actually is to accomplish your work, so that you're more likely to take advantage of the present moment, and it means that you will always have something to look forward to -- and soon -- apart from whatever task you're dreading. So you say to yourself, "Yes, I'm going to work on X, which I don't like much, but that's just part of what's on the menu for today, and once I get some meaningful work put in on it (which Fiore defines as being as little as 30 minutes of quality time), I'll go on to something else, and I will do it without guilt." That makes it more likely that you will actually put some work in on the task, because it no longer is so monumental; you now see it in perspective of everything else you do. It also means you're less likely to find something distracting to do just to avoid the main task, because you're always aware there's good stuff to look forward to. So no "need" to surf the Web just now; you've scheduled plenty of time to play later. Fiore emphasizes that you need to have guilt-free play, separate from work, in order to produce quality work. Although I don't have a particular problem with procrastination, I have found the book quite liberating; it certainly makes me feel better on my morning commute, because I know the day isn't going to swallow me.

Literally changed my life, or at least the way I think (in a positive way). I am only 3/4 of the way through, so can only speak to the first half or so, but it has been so excellent to this point that I already decided I am going to buy a copy for my Mom, Dad, and sister and brother who all have procrastination issues (must be genetic!) I have read several other books (re: procrastination), and none of them affected me the way this one did. Made me aware of and changed the way I think about myself, for one, but also presented SOLUTIONS, not just "this is what you are doing and why you procrastinate" which is where so many books like this stop. Just great stuff, can't recommend it enough. I plan to see what else the author wrote (hopefully this is not a one hit wonder type situation) Hopefully the rest of the book is as good as the first half. I should also note, I think this book is definitely not geared towards those who just put things off every once in a while, and would like to be better organized (again, which is where a lot of other procrastination books focus). This one, and probably the reason it reached me so effectively, is for people that have procrastination problems that go beyond the norm - consistent behavior that could/would likely result in losing your job, relationships, and just unhealthy living in general (mental and physical). Fiore seems to treat the issue from a mental health perspective, not just "let's try to get you more organized!" Very impt distinction, and if you don't have a SERIOUS, life...hampering problem, I would probably not recommend this. 5 stars from me

The only reason I didn't give the book five stars is because I still haven't followed its advice. If a self-help book can actually get me to CHANGE, then I'll give it five stars. In short, I haven't yet made the changes in my schedule and lifestyle that the book recommends, but the book has shifted my thinking quite dramatically. I now understand that it is just as important (in fact more important) for me to plan, schedule and commit to doing things that I love to do, as it is for me to plan, schedule and commit to doing things that I don't want to do (or that I resist). The author's proposed "unschedule" is a radical approach to addressing procrastination - one that holds tremendous promise for anyone struggling with productivity in any form. I fully intend to create my own "unschedule." Now, if only I could get myself to actually do it . . . .

This book, was as good as a lifesaver for me as I am working on my first ever publication as a student. It helped me overcome a lot of anxieties invariably of my work by letting me know that it's just work and it's not connected to my self worth.
Paraphrasing this book, the amount we procrastinate tells us how much we really think this task matters to us, how much we connect it with our own self-worth, with our own importance that we have assigned this task. I did a bunch of highlighting in this book and this is one of those that you end uo highlighting over and over again because it opens up new avenues at every page you turn.
I also find the idea very novel of putting things that you will look forward to first (the unschedule) and then working all your work activities around the things that you want to look forward to.
I enjoy reading different perspectives on the same topic because it really does point out the different approaches to a topic so that I can integrate the approach together and apply it to my life and now I am currently trying to obtain a copy from my school library of the book Procrastination and Blocking to read further into procrastination. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity is another book I am currently reading that is very very informative for the layperson but it requires an active approach, on a side note, most good books require an active approach to them anyway. GTD is more applicable to do business professionals, whereas the NOW habit worked out really well for me because I am student in psychology and with an intention to become a professor one day, I could relate to the examples that were present in this book. And, finally I do want to add and mention that there is a choice, if there is work and if we are going to do it, then we can CHOOSE to either spend time on procrastinating about the work or do a LITTLE bit of it and be already a step ahead of where we would have been if we were procrastinating.

Ive bought enough self help books to know that most of them do little more than motivate you, but then perhaps its my fault for believing a book is going to give me some sescret to Life but somtimes just somtimes youll find somthing that will actually make a differnce in you.
This book focuses on echeduling time for enjoyment rather than work.
One of trhe suggestions one i found very useful eyt extremly simplistic is to commit to work for no more than 30mins since 30mins is such a short time and goes by quite quickly you wont be too reluctant to begin. You can increase you work hours over time at your own pace and still use the 30minute excercise when you want. I recommend it highly

This book is packed with simple easy to follow instructions on how to overcome lifelong habits of procrastination. It is written beautifully and each suggestion is concise and clear. If you want to become much, much more productive and happier in your life then you simply must read this book. My life's journey has become every so much more pleasant and enjoyable thanks to this beautiful book.

This is a good book. Look at all the reviews and you will see that it is so. However, after reading it, I found that I wasn't a procrastinator, even though I felt like one. Rather, I've been acting like a procrastinator because I have been overwhelmed and things get put off because of 1) feeling overwhelmed and "I can't get to that now" and 2) not knowing what the next step is to move a given project along. After reading The NOW Habit, I went on to read David Allen's "Getting Things Done." Allen's book is fantastic and corrected both my problems mentioned above. Now I no longer behave like a procrastinator.

My suggestion is that you read Allen's Getting Things Done first. If, after getting organized, feeling less overwhelmed, and having a clear focus on what needs to happen next on any give project you STILL are procrastinating, then by The NOW Habit. The NOW Habit gives a few great ideas per chapter while Getting Things Done provides a few great ideas per page! They address slightly different topics (The NOW Habit addresses self-discipline/procrastination and Getting Things Done addresses organization/work habits), so you may want to decide which addresses your concern most directly (or buy both!).

I have been a first-class procrastinator for most of my life, for many reasons -- too many tasks, not wanting to do the task that needs doing, feeling that no matter how hard I tried my results would never match my expectations for myself. This book was a breath of fresh air. After so many efforts to "just buckle down and do what needs to be done" [and the guilt that came when I went off daydreaming again], this book gave me insights, an "unschedule", and a mantra of how to move forward.

I have extracted the kernels from the book and made them into a reminder that is constantly on my desk, at work and at home. Now, I tell myself, "I choose to start on one small, imperfect step, knowing that I have plenty of time for play." With that mantra, I can start a task, and frequently just starting takes me close enough to the finish that I do finish the task, as well. I also wrote out my reasons for tackling my work, building on the "pull" method of self-motivation, setting out why I'm doing this work, anyway -- and that reminds me of the positive results that come, not from procrastination, but from digging in and getting started.

Result? I'm working more effectively, leaving the office at least an hour earlier than was my habit three months ago, and taking at least one day off per week. Eureka! Don't procrastinate -- give this book a chance!

While re-reading "Getting Things Done" by David Allen and looking at his website, I came across a recommendation for this book. The tip came from a solid source so I bought the book. I was looking for some practical steps (like those in GTD) but found more psychological insights. That left me a little disappointed.

The book has some solid advice about the reasons for procrastination and how to move forward but it will not provide you with any lists, calendar tips, prioritization methods, or the like. It helps you to work on your thoughts and gets you to say, "I choose" instead of "I have to". It also helps to free you from the guilt of not doing and encourages you to "start".

This is all important stuff because we really do act according to our thoughts so getting those right is the first step. Regardless, it left me a little empty as I was looking for ore implementation tips to help me fine-tune a workflow system.

The bottom-line: If you don't know where to turn and are overwhelmed, this book might just help you break through. If you got things moving in the right direction and need some "black-belt" skills, look elsewhere.

I figured I'd give it a quick read. Though there is the same hokey pop psychology you'll find with any self-help procrastination product, this does have some good ideas and approaches I hadn't heard before. It definitely has a 'system' approach, meaning you are supposed to follow sets of action for it to work. I could see how it might work for someone who could follow it strictly, but procrastinators generally don't do they ;-) Otherwise the new and different information definitely warrants a read to help you rethink things.

I figured I'd give it a quick read. Though there is the same hokey pop psychology you'll find with any self-help procrastination product, this does have some good ideas and approaches I hadn't heard before. It definitely has a 'system' approach, meaning you are supposed to follow sets of action for it to work. I could see how it might work for someone who could follow it strictly, but procrastinators generally don't do they ;-) Otherwise the new and different information definitely warrants a read to help you rethink things.

Rather than focus on your work, focus on your leisure. Then, almost by magic, your guilt goes away, and you end up becoming more productive. Truly amazing. If you're stuck in a rut of laziness, grab this book immediately and do exactly what it says.