I found this audio book to be mildly helpful - mostly full of generic tips I've heard many times before, with too many stories to illustrate her points for my taste. I also bought "Getting things Done" by David Allen, which I found MUCH more useful.

It's quite disheartening to know that you have a problem, and then buy into a resource which many people swear by, such as this book, only to find out that it is completely useless. For me, this book started out badly in the very introduction and got worse and worse.

In her introduction, Emmett describes procrastination as a "funny subject". What is so funny about having your professional and personal life go down the drain because you can't get it together? When I want to be helped, I want to be taken seriously. I don't want my hindrance to be labeled as "funny".

The case studies seemed exaggerated, silly and a little condescending and one of them is plagarised. I know this because I read the exact same situation in an Ann Landers column about 25 years ago. I will never forget it because I read it out loud to my mom and we still bring up it from time to time -- the precise same words in the exact same order that Emmett uses in her book. This one citation made me wonder how many other case studies were made up.

Then there is the section on making a list of 101 items that you need to get done. Why on earth should I LOOK for things to do if I can barely finish what's on my plate in front of me? This section should not have been Chapter 2, for heaven's sake. Save it for the end, when we've learned how to take care of what's important first.

She mentions that there are some instances in which one should procrastinate, as in the case of writers who take weeks to write and rewrite and edit endlessly. She states that writers are doing themselves a favor by waiting to write closer to the deadline. Has this author never written a serious academic work which requires multiple drafts? Writing for scholarly journals or for publication and acceptance within the academic community is not a walk in the park. An exception should have been made here.

The section on how to accomplish unpleasant tasks suggests doing it to music or finding something about the task that is pleasant. To concentrate fully on writing an important paper to music is reckless, and there is no pleasant part of it. So now what do I do?

When I read a book, I do so with a pencil and paper to jot down ideas but in this case, I was jotting down what I hated about it. This book may be good for those who need to get their house, family and job in order and just basically need to get organized. I would not recommend it to someone like me who's procrastination is a serious disorder -- waiting until the last possible moment to get out of bed in the morning and then arriving late to work, knowing full well that people are waiting for and counting on you. Knowing that there are things to be done that are a matter of life and death for your career and still procrastinating anyway. Not being able to sleep at night thinking of everything you have to do, worrying about how it'll get done, and the next day at work --- continuing to procrastinate and find everything else to do except for work that needs to be done.

I've been reading about The Now Habit by Neil Fiore and I think it may be better suited for me.

Procrastination is difficult to change as there are so many reasons to do it. This book addresses the variety of causes and how to overcome them. I really like the layout of the book which invites readers to dip in and sample. It deals with the different fears (of being rejected, of making the wrong decision, of change, of responsibility, etc.) that paralyze us and keep us from forward action.
Each chapter ends with an exercise to do. If you try them out, you end up setting goals, uncluttering, analyzing our relationships, setting up a reward system for ourselves, and many more worthwhile activities.
We all procrastinate to some degree. If yours bothers you enough to read this review, then you owe it to yourself to read this book.
Sprinkled throughout the book are inspiring thoughts on the topic.
"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." Will Rodgers

I started reading this book 4 months ago, but just finished it last week. For a book so small that doesn't say much.

This book delivers on humor and very practical advice, but for me it just seemed to say things I already knew such as keeping a to-do list that breaks major tasks into mini-tasks. To be fair, there was other advice, but nothing that just made me sit up and transform my behavior.

Having said that, I don't think it is a bad book and it wasn't unpleasant to read, but I really expected more. I chose a 3-star rating because while I felt better for a day or two after reading it, I didn't turn on that internal "switch".

Unfortunately I have not read some of the other popular titles, so I have nothing I can recommend in place of this book - please keep that in mind when reading this review.

There are a number of procrastination books on the market, but this is by far the best for its simple solutions and practical insights. Like other books on the subject, the author deals with the psychological aspects of procrastination, but unlike other books, she keeps it simple, using real-life stories and examples. Highly recommended. NOTE: THIS REVIEW WAS WRITTEN BY THE AUTHOR OF "NEVER BE LATE AGAIN, 7 CURES FOR THE PUNCTUALLY CHALLENGED."

I enjoyed this book. Every time I had to go; I found in this book new reasons to start doing procrastinated tasks at home and in my job. Thank You Ritta !

As a classic procrastinator and owner of my own business, I can say that Ms. Emmett's book was wonderfully accurate in assessing my weaknesses. Her methods for breaking the habit of procrastination are good ones which are easily applied. The fact that she offers several different methods make the trial and error process much less painful. I've applied her rules to my business and home life with success. I'm not cured altogether, but this book has me on the right track.

I mainly listened to the audio tapes of this book, although I also own the paperback. Emmett's book is helpful in a number of ways. She shows you many aspects of the mindset you will need to overcome procrastination. However, there came a point where this book could take me no further in my battle against procrastination. That's when I turned to the Wikipedia article on procrastination, and perhaps more importantly, the Wikibook on Overcoming Procrastination. Starting with those resources, I launched into my own trip of self-discovery which has led to a breakthrough in my procrastination. Eventually, you need to deeply understand who you are, your life up to this point, and why it is in your best interest not to procrastinate. Anyway, this is my experience.

I mainly listened to the audio tapes of this book, although I also own the paperback. Emmett's book is helpful in a number of ways. She shows you many aspects of the mindset you will need to overcome procrastination. However, there came a point where this book could take me no further in my battle against procrastination. That's when I turned to the Wikipedia article on procrastination, and perhaps more importantly, the Wikibook on Overcoming Procrastination. Starting with those resources, I launched into my own trip of self-discovery which has led to a breakthrough in my procrastination. Eventually, you need to deeply understand who you are, your life up to this point, and why it is in your best interest not to procrastinate. Anyway, this is my experience.

Great production, easy to read, applications for "up to the second" thinking. Finally something easy to study, compact, and totally comprehendable. For anyone who wants to put wasted time in the past forever, and be good enough to teach from it, this book will be a perfect fit. Don't procrastinate any longer. Buy it now!

In a very simple but honest way the author help us be free of the bad habit of procrastination and show us how to master atitude to overcome this

On page 108, Ms. Emmett's son asks and is answered that when people are really too busy, they have a choice to say no to some activities. After another question, she says that yes she does tell them that at her seminars. He replies, "Well ... why does it take you eight hours to tell them that?"

This is not your "bandaid" type self help book.
What it is: a collection of the reasons behind the habit of procrastination, and examples of ways to guide yourself out from it.
In a Nutshell: Reading through it will give you insights on the "why's" we act this way, and the "how's" to break it.

Highly regarded and recommended.

I'd owned this book for a while and typically never got around to reading it (no joke). Finally, when I was called in for jury duty selection (an A.D.D. person's NIGHTMARE, I might add!), I brought the book along with a notebook and a pencil and I braced myself for a long day of sitting around. I was not selected for a trial, but I made good use of the time and I read book straight through, taking some good notes. The info has helped my very much and I re-read those notes from time to time for a "procrastination vaccination"!

Yeah im pretty sure this book is great but I haven't got around to reading it yet... I think im going to start tomorrow... ah nah thats too soon.

Rita Emmett's THE PROCRASTINATOR'S HANDBOOK: MASTERING THE ART OF DOING IT NOW (1593978472, $19.95) comes from a professional speaker on the topic whose clients include AT&T, Mercedes-Benz and more. Emmett is herself a recovering procrastinator: she provides insights on triggers, behavioral needs, and modification routines that work. An excellent pick for any who suffer from procrastination and wish routines to reform.

Who would put off writing a review of this book? Not me - I don't procrastinate. If you believe that, there's a bridge I can let you have for next to nothing. Truth is, I'm the world's worst at putting things off, especially what I don't want to do. But, I'm getting better, much, much better. All thanks to the good natured, pragmatic advice from Rita Emmett.

A recovered procrastinator she knows of what she writes and speaks. She delves into the reasons why we procrastinate, and helps us change that behavior. We learn how to establish goals and more importantly how to attain them.

All of this is delivered with humor and understanding. We hear such nuggets as "God created company so that the hou
se gets cleaned." and "If certain things in your life are always hard to find, it's probably because they don't have their own special place to be put." Which naturally leads to a discussion of our spaces, both at work and at home. How can we arrange that space so it is most helpful to us?

Emmett doesn't claim to be clairvoyant but when she discussed a procrastinator's behavioral patterns it felt as if she had a direct line to me. There's a lot of good information in this three hour audio, so don't put off listening.

- Gail Cooke

This book is easy reading, flows well, and is quite entertaining. The first time I read this book, I was amazed at the insight included as to reasons people procrastinate. They are not stereotypical reasons associated with procrastination such as being lazy. I related to several forms of procrastination that I never recognized until I read this book. I also picked out the forms that my family members use as well, which was helpful. It actually helps you have a little more compassion and patience for those around you. I have read this book over and over. It's good to have a reminder once in a while.

"The Procrastinator's Handbook" is exactly what I need. The outline and 1st Chapter caught my attention, and I'm sure the rest is excellent. I really should read the rest of it. Maybe tomorrow....

I get a lot done, but there are a lot of things I don't do efficiently...and those are sometimes important things I tend to procrastinate about, all too often. I found Rita's book engaging and helpful. Yes it was a light read, which I found a plus -- I have too much to do to read something long or boring!

Rita's personal story is quite amazing, and the fact that she has accomplished so much with her life says a lot. I also interviewed Rita about her book on my radio show EverydayWealth Radio: Your Consumer Advocate (you can listen at wsradio.com) and found her to be just as delightful in person as she is in her writing. She gave me a tip that I am putting to use with much success. (As an author myself I'll encourage you to get the book to find out what works for you.)

Anyone looking for an easy way to change ingrained habits may not find any self-help book useful. But as they say, when the student is ready....

I work as a professional organizer and live with a procrastinator. Both professionally and personally I found this book enlightening. I read a lot of these type of books and this is one of the best.

I got it way back in the beginning of high school. Now I'm in college and I still haven't read it. It's almost like a cruel, taunting joke.

I bought this book after reading the high acclaim that it received. The book turned out to be a waste of time and probably exacerbated my proscrastination problem by giving me an excuse to put off working. The book is at least two-thirds cliche quotes and "real-life" examples, but provides little concrete guidance on how to overcome your problems.

This book is a waste of money. 5% advice, 95% fluff you've read in other help books. At least get this book from the library, but don't buy it. It isn't worth the money.

As other reviewers have pointed out, this book is more a pep talk than a program of action. Its proposals for action won't be any surprise (make a list, set a timer and commit to doing a specific thing for an hour) and the little quotes at the end of every chapter run the gamut from truly inspirational to trite. However, everyone knows what they should be doing; the book aims to make you feel that you can actually do it. To that extent, it's very successful. You finish it feeling energized and capable of doing anything. Time will tell whether the feeling lasts, but at the moment I feel empowered and ready to take on a host of new things. Thanks, Rita Emmett!

I purchased my first e-book from Amazon and will never do so again. First, the e-book will not upload to my Palm device. Two emails to Amazon's tech support explaining the problem resulted in indentical, vapid responses which were no help.
Second, the book contains pages in which to write your own thoughts, but due to encryption, the purchaser of the book is not allowed to print any of the pages. In short, Amazon has lost my business in the e-book arena.

If you are serious about ending your procrastination then do not waste MORE of your time reading this book. The author gives plenty of tips, common sense advice, and even famous quotes but in a very disorganized and unstructured manner. The whole book is like a long pep talk, full of good intentions but failing to solve the problem: your procrastination. I'm sure that you've tried most of the tips in this book (writing a To Do List, planning your work, scheduling, etc.) so it does not make sense to buy a book that basically tells you to try them again. Oh, you'll try them for a week or two (again, for the n'th time), and then go back to procrastinating, because that's what we procrastinators do! We start something and then never finish it! In the back cover, Frank McCourt (author of Angela's Ashes) calls it a "light-hearted book", proving that even the editor knows this is not a serious book on procrastination, and uses McCourt's comment to sell the book as easy reading, but definitely not serious content. I recommend Neil Fiore's NOW HABIT. It's deeper, structured and a serious read. Not a "light-hearted handbook".

Here is my review: "This neat little book helped me overcome my procrastination to write my book."

Is there anything greater that the fact that it works?

Zev Saftlas, Author of Motivation That Works: How to Get Motivated and Stay Motivated

I've pored over Lord-knows-how-many self-help tomes in my time, furrowed brow, best-intentioned, sincerity blazing.
Ms Emmett's is the first that made me go "Ouch!".
By the Nine Gods of Clusium, she has my number. 'Hypocritical Procrastination'? Bullseye. That chapter alone does it.
Even mid-reading, I was reaching for the phone to call my honey on some daft pretext; rising from my desk to go chatter with colleagues; re-shuffle papers ....
I actually slammed the phone down, stayed put, killed the CNN link ... told a colleague "Actually, I *am* busy right now. One hour from now?"
This is working for me. Ain't easy - a lifetime of indulgence and the most appalling self-delusion - but I need to folow its lessons and Emmett has the spot-on tone that gets to me.
Don't buy it: I have a lot of catching up to do and it might work for you, too, in which case that's one more rival I won't be overtaking. Bless you, Rita E. Right! Enuff of this time-wasting composing of a review; I have filing and ironing and writing to me mum to do, not to mention cold calling that swine of a landlord to fix my fridge. I'm a busy man and there's no perfect time to act; there's only now. Yoda had it right: Do or do not. There is no try.

WOW! Rita Emmett provides a critical and often humerous look at the the actions (or inactions) of procrastinators in a non-threatenting manner. I've put off reading this book for about four months (go figure) and I simply can't put it down. If you've ever wondered if why you procrastinate and the reasons behind your actions, Rita has some answers for you. Also, as a person struggling with adult-ADHD, this book was extremly helpful in curbing a few of my ADHD tendencies.

Really good info on how to avoid waiting until tomorow to get your tasks done.

as a life long member of procrastination, i was amazed as to find someone who really understood all the reasons and rationalizations that went thru my mind. it's an insightful look at why one procrastinates and the steps to get out of it. the only thing more i would like to have seen from it is more motivation and steps from slipping back into old habits

This is not what I expected. When I picked up this book, I was prepared for some generic time management principles surrounded by some motivational hype that would pump me up and then leave me flat a short while later. I'm not quite sure why...I suppose I just thought that procrastination was more of a built-in character flaw than a lifestyle choice.

Am I glad that I was wrong! In the introduction, Rita Emmett explains that procrastination is not part of your character. Rather, it is a habit that can be changed. Using plenty of real-life examples, Emmett helps us identify areas of procrastination in our lives, discover their source, and apply proven strategies to overcome them.

This book helps you get right down to business. The format is very friendly, with quick tips, top ten lists, quotes and illustrations scattered throughout. It even has a few "extra credit" questions and activities to help you start applying what you have learned right away.

I opened this book as a skeptic. After reading it cover to cover, I'm a believer! My basement is the cleanest it has been in over ten years, my kitchen sink has a new fixture, and today I'm going to fix that annoying drip in the upstairs bathroom. What have you been putting off? Follow this handbook and get it done!

Larry Hehn, author of Get the Prize: Nine Keys for a Life of Victory

This little book is beautifully designed, and the writing is intelligent and humorous. It is light, not ponderous, and is never redundant. Its suggestions are not trite. The tone is helpful and inspiring. Very tasteful in every way. Written for artistic types, and people who have a brain but are temporarily stuck.

This book is amazingly helpful. Buy it Now!

I have never managed to read a self-help book. Not more than 10 pages, although many of them are not bad at all. But this book is simply wonderful. Rita is a pleasure to read. And she goes deeper and deeper and conquers you all way through. You will be surprised at how you will find yourself so often and again in each and every page as you have never done before.

All the games, all the plays, all the issues, all the hopes, all the dreams. Be prepared to meet yourself in a unique way.

You will rarely find something so simple and so good, a book so outstanding that you will be sad that you have reached the last chapter, even though this very book is showing you how much you have lost in your life...

This talk to your inner Self will reach you deeply. Be prepared.

I don't see this book as a step-by-step guide to helping eliminate procastination, but more as a collection of tips that you can use to help you to plan your tasks better and to organize your life. I think it is worth having on hand to remind yourself of different ways to approach whatever task you are putting off accomplishing. If you are looking for an in depth psychological explanation of why you procrastinate then this probably isn't your best bet.

I really enjoyed this book. The author puts it all on the line for us folks who are experts at procrastination. If you want to understand why you do what you do and how to change your behavior to increase you ability to move forward in life, this book is an excellent choice. If I were you, I wouldn't wait another moment!

And if you are looking for a book to compliment this one, then get James Clark's WADING THROUGH THE CRAP; it addresses this issue well and provides step-by-step instruction.

The Procrastinator's Handbook is a wonderful treasure trove of information. It is insightful, realistic, down-to-earth, and is conveyed with contagious enthusiasm.

Emmett's words of wisdom encouraged me personally when I was writing my first book. At one point I was stalling and floundering with the project, but after plowing through her book, I got myself back on track.

Highly recommended!

Reviewed by: (...)

The author certainly seems to think she has the answers for you, but at least for me, she didn't. I felt that she goes too deep in trying to figure out WHY you procrastinate, and not enough in telling you how to fix it.

Rita Emmett has done a great job of putting together a, I could say THE, book on how to stop procrastinating. As a therapist I recommend the best books I can find to clients and others and this book certainly fills the bill. If you procrastinate, don't put off buying this book to help you solve the problem. When you buy it, don't procrastinate or hesitate in reading it to help you solve the problem.

I have read this book in PalmReader format and think that it is absolutely wonderful. I must admit that I started reading from Part 3 first and then worked my way from the beginning again. I have found many of the stories to be quite useful in identifying the behaviors that I do to procrastinate. I have been successful in using the reward technique discussed in the book. I also enjoy the inspiring quotes that accompany the end of each chapter.

All in all, a great book and I'm glad to have it on my PDA wherever I go.

To be honest I thought that this would be a stupid book and a waste of time. But it was a good book for both my wife and I to read. It will not cure you, and it certainly can't replace the therapy that some procrastinator's need. But for the rest of us, it is a very helpful tool for figuring ourselves out. And, helped my wife--who works over 60 hours a week--understand how and why she procrastinates. Really, the book is a helpful tool to figure out what you most want to be doing in your life. In that sense, the book helps you learn not just about "wasting time," but about yourself.

Do you think you are a born procrastinator? So did Rita Emmett. Do you think that clutter is a normal part of life? So did Rita Emmett. That's why I like and recommend the book. This isn't written by "Patty or Paul the Perfectionist," but by someone who learned how to conquer procrastination and now shares what she learned with us. I found it very readable: first, because the author's style is comfortable (and spiced with self deprecating humor); second, because it is practical--there are helpful hints for overcoming just about every type of procrastination. The author includes exercises and tons of tips. Most of us struggle with procrastination. This little book is a great resource to help each of us overcome this "dreaded affliction." Keep it on your nightstand and read a chapter a night for a week, take the actions recommended and it will make a difference in your life.

...that I read all the way through...in 2 sittings. I liked it so much I sent an email to Rita Emmett to thank her! It is a very funny look at a not-so-funny problem. Rita is a self-proclaimed recovering procrastinator who spoke to me through this book. It is the first one that didn't tell me to "just do it" and instead told me how my fears contribute to my procrastination. She told me how to adopt what she calls anticrastination habits. I highly recommend this book to anyone who procrastinates and who wants to stop. Don't put off reading it.

...now what does that tell you? Much of this useless book is spent trying to console the procrastinator in question ("don't worry, you're not alone--everyone procrastinates"). Like a horoscope guide, practically 80% of this book is devoted to personality-typing, i.e. "what kind of procrastinator are you?". The author feels that each type is unique, and not each one responds to "treatment" equally. What may work for procrastinator A, may not work for procrastinator B.

Although amusing and somewhat entertaining (it details the many habits and mannerisms of every subspecies of procrastinators which you may identify with), this book doesn't deliver hard-hitting solutions or treatments for hardcore procrastinators (such as myself). It's more for laugh and sympathy.

Filled with first-person accounts of former procrastinators and lots of anecdotes, the book is light reading which may seem inspiring at first, but doesnt "cure" any procrastinating habits. It really should be renamed "The Procrastinator's Support Group." Hey--it took me 9 months to write this review because I kept putting it off.

The title "The Procrastinator's Handbook" is rather much. I would title it "Tips for Procrastinators". I recommend it for some ideas in fighting procrastination, but it did not change my life or offer in philosophical commentaries or motivations.

the book was OK, but the extended examples provided little added value -- the same topics and concepts could be communicated in a much more compact presentation

In parts one and two, and go straight to Pt 3, "Proven Strategies". This book is not without merit(again, part 3), but I wasn't crazy about it.
If, like me, you dislike the insufferably cheerful types who want to sell you stuff and get you full of pep, I'd recommend Albert Ellis's **Overcoming Procrastination** over this book.

The minute I picked up this book and started to read, I saw me all over it. I didn't realize how much I procrastinate. I knew I did but not to the extent. I recommend this book to anyone who needs to stop procrastinating, and who doesn't? I found this book very helpful, I just wanted to start doing all the things I had put off, and I did.