I know that there are already 100+ reviews on here, but what the heck, Neil deserves my complements as well. Prior to reading this book, I was having serious anxiety about work. It was devastating. I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out why I couldn't "get to it" like all of my other colleagues. I thought I had ADD because I couldn't finish (or sometimes even start) my projects. I was so scared that I was going to get fired, I ended up going to a psychiatrist.I described my problem of being unable to work, get things done, being distracted etc, and they subsequently prescribed me ADD medication. However, after I took the medication for a month it still didn't help my problem. (Actually, the medication made me feel really weird , but I digress).

I stumbled upon this book on Amazon, and boy am I glad I did. This book saved my life, I really think so.
After I implemented the tools given in the book, I was suddenly able to get over my phobic response to my work anxiey. I started to become a producer. Knowing what I know now from this book, I would have paid $1000+ for the advice it gave me.

I just love the positive attitude that Neil conveys throughout the book.
Also, I would like to add that I work full-time and recently started university full time as well. And guess what, I'm on my third consecutive semester of getting a 4.0!

Thank you Now Habit!

Read the glowing reviews and took the chance that this might be something different as it was recommended by the GTD people and mentioned on 43 folders, but it isn't. Same basic ideas that have been around since the 60's and probably even before, just packaged in new language; complete with the de rigeur touchy-feely client success stories and almost compulsive quoting of other self help gurus (is this a club by the way?) Not sure why I thought I needed to read this. Maybe felt that I wasn't being enough of a "producer." Turns out I'm probably ok.

Anyway, this might have been something to look at as a Sunday supplement piece to refresh in one's mind the typical WASP approach (which he denies it is) to enhanced productivity. Main ideas: don't be the victim, self empowerment, the glass is half full vs half empty argument and the need to choose the former, walk on the sunny side of the street, play is necessary, figure out where you waste time and you won't, work is really good and fulfilling snd gives one's life meaning (really?) and if you play enough you will want to work even more (really?); typical motivational speaker type of stuff. But haven't we heard this before ad nauseum? As a book it was painful to wade through to the end which couldn't have come soon enough!

I remember reading a quote from successful top executive many years ago (forget the company) as to how he got things done, and his reply was that every morning his secretary (now the administrative assistant) took all of the notes out of that day's folder (they used the 43 folder approach to filing) and took an index card and wrote down the 10 things he wanted to accomplish that day and then just did them. After every time he got interrupted, he just went back to the card. Basically, a very simplified version of GTD, which itself is a very basic concept. (Forget the book,sorry amazon,just look at the GTD workflow chart avaialbe everywhere and just follow it. Been doing that for years.)

Unfortunately, with the executive's approach, it would be pretty hard to write a book about the "system" or develop a 3 day motivational seminar which would generate a ton of money. But then again, these guys have seemed to have done that. So what do I know?

It is rare to find a book that meets its goals so dramatically well.
This book is insightful and to the point. The reasons outlined for procrastination are simply the most lucid ones that you can find. They show the author's deep understanding of the very roots of the problem.

But, as he also says, "knowing *how* you procastrinate is even more important than knowing *why*". And it is in this point that this book truly shines. After that, the solutions presented are far from obvious, yet so simple and powerful.

I wonder why there have been more books on procastination after the publication of this one. My guess is that most people are simply not aware that this book exists. I wish I could find books like this one in all areas. Outstanding.

This book is not just for procrastinators, but for anyone involved in a design or creative profession.