Procrastination- Why You Do It, What to Do About It NOW by Jane B Burka, PhD & Lenora M. Yuen, PhD

Do you put things off until tomorrow only to get there and then decide to put it off again? Are you one that avoids doing certain things even though you know perhaps you should be doing them?

If it sounds like you then that’s cool, many of us, actually I would say all of us to some extent procrastinate. This may be comforting to know but what is more exciting is that there are ways to overcome procrastination.

The writers of this book are psychologists and are well educated in the area of procrastination. They actually set up the first procrastination treatment group in America. So it goes without saying they know a thing or two.

While many of us know that we argue with ourselves over starting something or putting things off until another time we perhaps don’t know the effects this can have on both our health and our lives.

This book, as the tittle suggests, assists us with understanding why we do it and what we can do about it now to put an end to our own internal battle with procrastination.

We are all very different and it was interesting when reading this book that some areas I didn’t even realise about myself but certainly resinated with me as reasons why I procrastinate.

Not only did I discover why I procrastinate but also why my partner does and even some of my mates.

You see there are many deeper internal reasons why we put things off. Some are culturally breed while others relate directly to our up bringing. Like the father who demands from their son perfect grades throughout their schooling life yet when they reach independence they rebel by avoiding doing things simply because that is what their father would expect.

Others are perfectionists and will put off starting something simple because they know how much work they will need to put into a task because if its not perfect then why bother.

I discovered that some of my poor behaviours relate directly to the fact that I have too much on my plate, too much that I want to achieve and do yet to escape I do other things. Behaviours that are not conducive to getting things done at all.

I never realised this was a method of procrastination yet when I think about it I do it because it allows me fair reason not to be doing what I really want to, and should be doing. It allows me to rest.

Some of us avoid things for fear or because we do not enjoy them. Whatever it is the book gives you greater insight as to why you do what you do and I believe simply by understanding yourself better, by having awareness, you can then learn how to manage it.

This book, in part two, outlines techniques that can assist you to manage your procrastination. By setting goals, managing you time more effectively, getting support and techniques on managing stress. There are many clever ways we can help ourselves overcome this obstacle.

You see, what I know for sure that when we procrastinate we have the tendency to make things harder for ourselves. If you put of doing that task that just has to get done you will either not do it at all which will come at some cost, perhaps monetary, or you will eventually get to it but the energy needed to overcome putting it off and then starting will be greater. This can be draining.

By procrastinating we miss out on countless amounts of opportunities. We delay life. My goal is to make sure I jam as much as I can into this life and this goal is becoming more relevant each and every day. It never use to be but hey perhaps that’s just the aging process.

I think if like me you are struggling to get the things done that you want to do daily or even achieving those bigger goals than this book is helpful. Even if it is just one simple insight you get, that might just make a world of difference in your life, its well worth a read.

I hope you enjoy it!

If this book sounds of interest you can purchase Procrastination: Why You Do It, What to Do About It Now
here.

Please leave your thoughts, comments & questions below.

Peace, passion and purpose…

Other books by Jane B Burka, PhD & Lenora M. Yuen, PhD