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21 Best Books About Overcoming Procrastination in 2023

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Have you ever procrastinated something important?

Chances are you have. Most people procrastinate from time-to-time. Often on things that are really important.

The differences between a true procrastinator and the occasional “slip-up” lays somewhere between the frequency of procrastination and the importance of what is procrastinated.

This article showcases the 21 best books on procrastination . These procrastination books will break down exactly what procrastination is (and what it is not). They will also show you how to get the better of procrastination tendencies and get more done in less time.

We procrastinate because we fear failure, feel we have no control, fear success, fear separation, are unsure of parameters or just daunted at the scope of the task.

Procrastination is rarely merely from “laziness”.

Unless you are one of the 1% of the population who never puts off tasks when they should not, there are great procrastination books that will help give you to the tools to accomplish many tasks without procrastination.

Before you dig into the list, check out some of the basic ways to overcome procrastination . Understanding these basics will help make what you read in many of these books more effective at controlling your procrastination.

Table of Contents

1. Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy

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Eat that Frog is one of the new classic books on procrastination.

“ Eating your Frog ” refers to accomplishing your Most Important Tasks during the day instead of trying to accomplish everything on your to-do list.

This is based on an old saying explaining that if you eat a live frog each morning as soon as you wake up, you can start the day knowing that the worst thing is over and you can move on.

This is a metaphor for finishing your most challenging, yet most impactful, tasks first so you can get them out of the way. This book shows the reader how to organize their days to accomplish critical tasks efficiently and effectively.

This procrastination book is both concise and powerful. It presents the reader with simple principles and exercises to help boost productivity and accomplish long-term goals. A lot of this book includes motivational tactics that are not necessarily revolutionary, but they are written in a fun and interactive way to help the reader be engaged in the process and become motivated to follow in the author's footsteps.

I find this to be one of the most impactful techniques to fight procrastination and is a core strategy I build my own day around. If you have not read this (quick) book on procrastination and are not familiar with the idea. I highly recommend checking out Brian Tracy ’s classic procrastination book.

My only critique of Tracy’s book is that it is mainly geared towards people who work in a conventional office. However, procrastination happens everywhere, and how to stop procrastinating at home is not the same as stopping procrastination at work.

2. How to Stop Procrastinating by Steve Scott

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​ How to Stop Procrastinating is designed to be the ultimate guide to creating good habits to defeat procrastination.

The idea is procrastination often stems having bad systems in place.  Once you take care of creating systems combat different forms of procrastination it becomes highly unlikely to put things off.

This book approaches procrastination all of its different aspects.  Because there is a difference between procrastinating about building a fence in your backyard and completing an important project at work.

This book gives the entire approach to creating anti-procrastination habits. It shows how to design these habits. It shows how to link these anti-procrastination habits to existing habits to make the process stopping progress and if little bit easier.

This procrastination book even helps you to avoid being overwhelmed by too many ideas, by always taking the time to showcase the simplest (and most effective) techniques to combating procrastination.

This book is everything you need to know about procrastination, in a single book. If you want just one book to give you all the tricks and hacks for stopping procrastination, this is the book for you.

3.  Solving the Procrastination Puzzle: A Concise Guide to Strategies for Change by Timothy A. Pychyl

This book offers a concise explanation and guide to why people procrastinate and what they can do to stop.

With the inclusion of current psychological research and clear strategies to help make a change, this book helps readers stop their self-destructive habits and become more accomplished.

With humor sprinkled throughout this book, it is an easy and entertaining way to learn some practical tips for making a positive change. One of the best things about this book is that it is a quick and easy read, which is helpful for people who are looking to learn how to stop procrastinating in the first place.

Another especially useful thing is that it explains the cognitive and behavioral biases that are behind the habit of procrastination. While it might not be full of nitty gritty details, it gives a great overview and guide for entrepreneurs, students, parents, or anyone who wants to stop their habit of delaying their work and start living a more productive life.

This procrastination book focuses on the fact that it is not really about procrastination but creating habits to make your life easier. For example, this may be keeping tools available for recording your thoughts and ideas as soon as they come to mind so you do think about anything besides the task at hand. It also offers techniques for organizing tasks.

4. The Procrastination Equation: How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Stuff Done by Piers Steel

In this book about procrastination, Dr. Piers Steel sets out to free his readers of procrastinating using a mix of psychology, research, biology, and self-help tools. His tried and true method helps his readers identify and understand their self-destructive habits and live a more productive life. This book will teach you how to stop making excuses and start living your best life by diving into things that are relevant and helpful for you in the long run.

While this book does not come with the magic answer of how to get past a bad habit of procrastination , it provides the reader with tools and motivations to help get them started. The reader then has to implement these methods in order for the book to be effective. There is a lot of history in this book about procrastination that may take away from the overall message at times, but it still has a lot of really powerful tools for the reader to use.

One of the best messages that is relayed in this book is that procrastination is not about perfectionism, rather it has a lot more to do with being impulsive. With the use of humor, the author writes the book as if he is having a conversation with the reader, which makes it a joy to read.

5. The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play by Dr. Neil Fiore

The Now Habit is a book that recognizes that work is something you need to accomplish and then move away from. The main point of the book is not accomplishing 8 billion tasks, but understanding the difference between the tasks that need to be accomplished and those that don’t.

Cut free those tasks that don’t matter. Get the stuff that matters done and then move onto the things in life that you enjoy.

It is as much about reducing stress and anxiety of your day-to-day tasks as it is about giving you a blueprint to decrease procrastination.

Dr. Fiore wants you to take the perfect out of perfectionism and realize that good enough is good enough and move on.

6. Procrastinate on Purpose: 5 Permissions to Multiply Your Time by Rory Vaden

This is a simple book that is able to get its message across in a powerful way. The author talks about five permissions that allow us to do our best work without stress and in a timely manner. The author urges to teach the reader to eliminate, automate, delegate, consolidate and procrastinate properly.

This guide teaches readers how to decrease their stress levels while still accomplishing all of their tasks. This book is written for people who are more advanced in their careers and are able to delegate tasks to other people, but it still has some great insight for people who are just starting off in their career. It is a great book for people who have a business career, and although some of the points may seem redundant or obvious, they are a great reminder.

It is important to note that this book is written from a Christian perspective, which may not be right for everyone. This is not made clear at the beginning, so it is good to note before starting this book.

7. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport

The goal of this book is to teach the reader how to master the art of Deep Work so they can achieve great results. Deep work refers to the ability to focus on something without any outside distraction. This skill allows you to master complicated tasks and achieve better results in a short amount of time.

In our increasingly competitive society, many people are unable to do Deep Work because of the constant distractions from technology and social media. In this book, Newport turns this concept around to talk about the impact of our connected age. Rather than saying distraction is bad, he talks about the potential of its opposite.

In this two-part book, the author begins by making the argument that having a Deep Work ethic will produce great benefits. Secondly, he presents a training regimen for transforming your habits to support the skill of Deep Work.

This well-written book is useful from the start. The author wastes no time in supplying the reader with irrelevant information. This might be a great book for you if you find that the distractions in your life are what is keeping you from accomplishing your goals or getting work done in a timely manner.

8. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

Unlike other books, this book does not focus on getting more accomplished in less time . Rather, it’s about only doing the things that matter. The author offers a systematic discipline for figuring out what is essential and eliminating the things that are not so you can leave all of your brain power for the things that truly matter.

Being able to determine what is essential empowers people to reclaim control of their lives instead of allowing other people to make those choices. Following the tips and tricks in this book, the reader will walk away being able to eliminate things from their life that do not add to the progress of their final goal.

This is a very useful read for leaders, managers, and people who want to declutter the tasks in their lives so they can focus more on what is important. This book does not read like a self-help book, as it talks in a clear and straightforward manner urging the reader to simplify their life, thinking, and purpose.

It shows the reader that allowing to give distractions the attention that they are looking for (such as checking email or scrolling down social media pages) they fill up your life for you instead of you making the decision about what is important.

One of the best things about this book is it takes some common-sense ideas and brings them to the reader's attention. While the ideas are easy to understand, they are also easy to forget in our busy lives.

• See the full Essentialism book review/summary

9. Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity by Hugh Macleod

This book is an easy read because it's sectioned, meaning you can read it front to back or pick it up in the middle and read a short section. The author creates a powerful and honest book that makes strong points about creativity and success.

The realistic advice offered in this book is from the author's personal experiences as well as professional expertise. If you are able to really enjoy doing what you do and focus on your craft without the stress of having to make a lot of money off of it, you are destined for success. One of the main points that the author makes is that stress kills creativity.

This procrastination book is full of fun doodles and witty cartoons, making it an easy and entertaining read. While some of the information may seem obvious, it is an entertaining and motivating book.

10. Getting Things Done:The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

David Allen’s book on productivity is not strictly a book about procrastination. It is primarily about systematizing your life and accomplishing as much as possible from your efforts.

This is the core of productivity. But it is also one of the best solutions to procrastination. Often people procrastinate not due to laziness, but because they do not have a firm system in place to tell them how and when to work on specific tasks.

Due to this fact many people will put off the tasks they don’t fully like, understand or feel comfortable about.

So when you use a dispassionate system like David Allen’s GTD system, the instance of procrastination is naturally going to greatly decrease. Without even having to think about procrastination.

See some more books on productivity that will give you some backdoor insight into creating systems that will simply keep you too busy to have time to procrastinate.

11. The Science of Overcoming Procrastination by Patrick King

It is not simply a book about procrastination. It gives lots of great tips for focus , productivity, procrastination and getting things accomplished.

This book aims to teach the reader how to get more done in less time. Self-motivation is a difficult trait to have, so this book offers hacks, systems, tips, and external motivators to encourage success and productivity.

Using information from years of practice and research, the author is able to communicate how to be a high-performer and achieve long-term goals quickly. This short book has many useful tips on how to beat procrastination and increase productivity.

While some parts of the book may seem a bit repetitive and some of the offered tips are tailored to the author himself, there is a lot of room for interpretation for the reader to apply the tips to his or her own situation.

Not every reader will find every single tip in this book to be useful, but there are more than enough great tips to make it a very worthwhile read. Every tip may not be for everyone, but there IS a tip for everyone, that you may not have thought of, whether you are a newcomer to productivity or master.

Learn to cut the unnecessary out of your life and focus on the things that really matter.

12. The Procrastination Cure: 21 Proven Tactics For Conquering Your Inner Procrastinator, Mastering Your Time, And Boosting Your Productivity! by Damon Zahariades

In “ The Procrastination Cure ” the reader is presented with a complete guide to overcoming procrastination. The author describes operational tactics that can be slowly adopted in order to reach the final goal of getting work done in a timely manner.

One of the most important approaches in this book is to slowly make small steps toward finishing any daunting task. The author goes over time-based mini-steps to help the reader dissolve any resistance to getting work done and instead, working to continue performing the necessary task. This approach is an important technique in overcoming procrastination.

The advice in this book is legitimate, however, is a bit repetitive at times. It offers useful information stemming from the author's personal experiences though, so it is definitely a helpful book for readers who are looking for a personal and inside perspective on overcoming procrastination.

13. 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkamnp

Focusing on time management, this book describes how everyone has the same amount of time each week and it is how you choose to spend that time that matters. This book serves as a great motivation to focus your time more wisely so you can do more important things in life.

The author offers great advice and gives some useful examples of people using their time as effectively as possible. For example, people often discredit the hours after work and weekend hours when thinking about the little amount of time they have to accomplish all of their goals. The author works to disprove this idea and shows the reader how much time is really available and what can be done with it.

The topic material seems to be particularly aimed at women, though the material is interesting for anyone. The author uses data to break down the hours in a day and the normal daily activities that people do to show how time spent often does not advance long term goals. She includes case studies illustrating people who seemingly have it all and how they manage their time to do it.

This is a useful book for anyone who feels like they don't have enough time to finish everything they want to do and they are looking for some ways to delegate tasks out and use every hour of the day effectively.

14. 18 Minutes: Find Your Focus, Master Distraction, and Get the Right Things Done by Peter Bregman

This book shows readers how busy people are able to sort through the daily clutter and common distractions to hone in on important things that are the top priorities in life. The author makes the argument that creating one's own productive distractions can take the place of distracting interruptions that keep people from being productive. His approach shows the reader how to navigate through constant emails, texts, calls, and meetings that distract our focus from the things that are actually important.

This concise procrastination book stems from years of personal experience from the author as well as well-tested principles. One of the best things about this book is that the advice given can be used right away. With the use of short stories to help the reader remember the tips that are provided, this is a fun and easy book to read that offers some long-term payoffs.

The reader will walk away from this book realizing that they will likely never get everything done that they want to, which is what makes prioritizing tasks so important. Sometimes it is best to cross things off of your to do list that you know will never get done.

15. The Slight Edge: Turning Simple Disciplines into Massive Success and Happiness   by Jeff Olson

Slight Edge offers a way of thinking that allows the reader to make decisions every day that will lead to success. It demonstrates how some people are able to accomplish all of their goals while others spend their lives dreaming of happiness for themselves while building it for other people.

The author describes a way of thinking that can impact one's choices every day and end in success. With lots of good advice and genuine reminders for the reader to achieve goals in every area of life, this book is an easy and encouraging read.

The layout is easy to follow and simple to understand. As the name implies, making only slight choices throughout your day can cause a ripple effect to push you over the edge and lead you to a successful life. The book is a bit repetitive and long-winded in places, but it definitely drives the point home that success can be achieved by repeating mini disciplines and taking small and increasing steps.

16. Do It Today: Overcome Procrastination, Improve Productivity, and Achieve More Meaningful Things by Darius Foroux

If you’re determined to make great improvements in your productivity and achieve happiness at the same time, this book is for you.

Darius Foroux’s tip for living a good life is knowing what you truly want and doing away with other things that you don’t want or need.

This book offers explanations on why people tend to procrastinate and provides strategies for overcoming procrastination. It has useful tips for improving your productivity without sacrificing your health and well-being.

Written in simple language, the book appeals to those who are looking for resources that help improve their lives without being burdened by too much jargon.

The book is divided into three major sections.

Part one covers how to overcome procrastination, take ownership of your life, and begin taking action to produce the changes you want to see.

The second part of the book is about improving productivity through effective time management and other habits that promote self-improvement.

Part three discusses the power of compounding. This section provides strategies on how to stay on the path of productivity by making it a daily habit to do even the smallest things that lead to self-improvement. These small things eventually add up to big things that will impact all areas of your life in a positive way.

17. The Power of Discipline: How to Use Self-Control and Mental Toughness to Achieve Your Goals by Daniel Walter

Self-discipline is the key that unlocks success in your life.

This book discusses the importance of self-discipline and provides strategic principles to help you develop this skill and apply it to blast through any obstacle blocking the way to your dreams.

Walter states that this book will help you achieve your goals through different actions that promote self-discipline. It walks you through the process of building life-changing habits and provides a better understanding of the value of self-discipline.

18. The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It by Kelly McGonigal

This eye-opening book provides in-depth information to help you succeed by knowing how and why you fail.

By exploring the source of people’s tendency to fail, this book helps you better understand what you can actually do to avoid pitfalls and work towards the successes you aspire to.

McGonigal combines research-backed information from different sources related to economics, medicine, psychology, etc., to help readers understand the importance of willpower, what it is, and how it works.

You are encouraged to take a “Willpower Challenge” when reading this book. The purpose is to test if the ideas discussed really work when applied in real life.

19. 15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management: The Productivity Habits of 7 Billionaires, 13 Olympic Athletes, 29 Straight-A Students, and 239 Entrepreneurs by Kevin Kruse

What do successful people do to reach the top?

In this book, Kevin Kruse sheds light on the success habits of successful and influential people from around the world and all walks of life.

Kruse found that successful people have several crucial habits. One of them is effective time management.

Here are some of the things you’ll discover in this book:

• What successful people use to manage their daily schedules
• An effective strategy for curing procrastination
• Techniques for discovering your true priorities
• Tools for reducing stress in the workplace
• Time-conscious ways of conducting meetings
• Ways to avoid time-sink activities

20. The Productivity Project: Accomplishing More by Managing Your Time, Attention, and Energy by Chris Bailey

There are many popular trends and strategies for increasing one’s productivity. Chris Bailey embarked on a yearlong experimentation to find out firsthand which ones are effective.

In this book, Bailey shares the results of his personal experimentation. He reveals the top 25 practices that worked to improve his productivity.

Interestingly, these practices are often counterintuitive to what we generally believe about improving productivity.

This book offers a lot of insights, not only about productivity, but also about paying attention to what our bodies are telling us about what we truly need in order to accomplish more in life.

As Bailey discovered, pulling an all-nighter while guzzling down copious amounts of caffeinated beverages is not the best way to finish a project.

21. Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done by Jon Acuff

Here is another book that reveals counterintuitive findings about the practices that make people successful.

For Jon Acuff, the breakthrough came after leading an online course on goal setting, where the participants showed more success in the course exercises when they were having fun and there was no pressure.

This led him to the conclusion that perfectionism interferes with success.

Acuff’s book encourages readers to embrace their imperfect attempts, celebrate their mistakes, and have fun while doing anything.

When you are okay with being less than perfect, you’ll discover that you’re capable of achieving more, finishing things you’ve started, starting new things you want to try, diving into things that you truly love, and experiencing satisfaction in everything that you do.

No time to read but need help to stop procrastination right now ? Watch this video and you will learn about 5 simple habits you can build that will help you stop procrastinating:

Are There Other Procrastination Books Missing from this List?

Or books that should be taken off the list?

Please share your thoughts on dealing with procrastination and how the books on this list can (or cannot) help you to get more done in the comments below.

If you have favorite books about procrastination please share them in the comments below, so that others can get your insight.

If you want to read more great books please take a look at the complete list of some of the best nonfiction books that can make a huge impact on your life: ​

Found the books on procrastination you were looking for?

Don't procrastinate on getting these books. 

Finally, if you want to take your goal-setting efforts to the next level, check out this FREE printable worksheet and a step-by-step process that will help you set effective SMART goals .

2 thoughts on “21 Best Books About Overcoming Procrastination in 2023”

This hell procrastination has destroyed my life because i never been able to achieve the great results in my class and to develop self-esteem. I want get rid of this evil habit right from today because i am going to give high school exam which is too much important for a good career and blissful future. So please mail me the best book to stop this. No Kidding!

I recommend The More You Do The Better You Feel: How to Overcome Procrastination and Live a Happier Live by David Parker. While reading his real life struggle with procrastination which he connects as resulting in depression and anxiety, I feel like someone understands me. It has motivated me to challenge myself and I actually am doing the hard tasks that I have put off. I feel hopeful that I can get out from under this horrible burden.

Some have criticized this author for spending too much time on his points and too much reiteration but for me, a hard core procrastinator, I needed to read each word he had to write. Nothing else has helped me this much.

Comments are closed.

Solving Procrastination

Procrastination Books: The Best Books to Help You Stop Procrastinating

If you’re looking for the top books that will help you solve your procrastination problem, this article is for you.

Below, you will first see the top-recommended books that will help you understand what procrastination is, why you procrastinate, and what you can do in order to stop. Then, you will see some other recommendations for other books about how to stop procrastinating and about procrastination in general. Finally, you will see recommendations for books that aren’t about procrastination specifically, but that deal with important related topics, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, willpower, and how to build good habits.

This list is comprehensive, since different people have different needs and different preferences. That’s why you’ll find a large range of recommendations here, including, for example, books that are more practical in nature, more academic, more humorous, and so on. Furthermore, the books are generally available in all relevant formats—including print, ebook, and audiobook—so you can read or listen to them in the way that works best for you.

Finally, before we get started, note that if you want to learn more about procrastination in general, there are two concise but comprehensive guides that you can read online for free on this site: why people procrastinate and how to stop procrastinating .

Top books about how to stop procrastinating

If you’re looking to read a book about how to stop procrastination, the most recommended option is generally: Solving the Procrastination Puzzle: A Concise Guide to Strategies for Change . This book, which was written by eminent procrastination researcher Tim Pychyl, first explains why we procrastinate, and then explains how to overcome procrastination given the reasons why we do it in the first place.

Other top recommendations for procrastination books include the following:

• Stop Procrastinating: A Simple Guide to Hacking Laziness, Building Self Discipline, and Overcoming Procrastination . This is a relatively concise guide on the topic, that focuses on giving you actionable tips on how to stop procrastinating.
• Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time . This is another relatively concise guide that focuses on giving you actionable tips on how to stop procrastinating.

Other good books about how to stop procrastinating

Below are some additional recommendations for good books that explain the psychology of procrastination and how to stop procrastinating:

• The Procrastination Equation: How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Stuff Done . This book, written by Piers Steel, a prominent procrastination researcher, uses an equation-based model to clearly explain why you procrastinate and what you can do in order to stop.
• Still Procrastinating: The No Regrets Guide to Getting It Done . This book, written by another prominent procrastination researcher, Joseph Ferrari, provides insights into why we procrastinate and what we can do to stop.
• The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play . This book, written by a licensed psychologist, outlines a system to help you learn how to get things done in a timely manner, while eliminating the stress and anxiety caused by them, so you can increase the amount of time you spend having fun without feeling guilty about it.

If none of the above options resonates with you, the following are other books you can look at:

• How to Stop Procrastinating: A Simple Guide to Mastering Difficult Tasks
• Procrastination: Why You Do It, What to Do About It Now
• 23 Anti-Procrastination Habits: How to Stop Being Lazy and Get Results in Your Life
• The Procrastination Cure: 21 Proven Tactics For Conquering Your Inner Procrastinator, Mastering Your Time, And Boosting Your Productivity
• Procrastination: What It Is, Why It’s a Problem, and What You Can Do About It
• The More You Do The Better You Feel: How to Overcome Procrastination and Live a Happier Life

Other books about procrastination

There are some interesting books that discuss the concept of procrastination through different perspectives, without focusing on how to overcome it.

As such, these books can be worthwhile if you’re just looking for entertaining and insightful reading material. However, if you’re a procrastinator looking to understand how to stop procrastinating, then these books are not for you, at least not until you’ve read the more practical material on the topic.

Recommended books in this category include:

• The Thief of Time: Philosophical Essays on Procrastination . This book contains a collection of essays written by different scholars, that address questions such as “how can we analyze procrastination in a way that does justice to both its voluntary and its self-defeating dimensions?” and “what kind of practical failing is procrastination? Is it a form of weakness of will? Is it the product of fragmented agency? Is it a vice?”.
• The Art of Procrastination: A Guide to Effective Dawdling, Lollygagging and Postponing . This relatively light and humorous book was written by philosopher John Perry, who is noted for suggesting the concept of “structured procrastination”, which involves getting things done by procrastinating on something more important.
• Soon: An Overdue History of Procrastination, from Leonardo and Darwin to You and Me . This book examines the phenomenon of procrastination through psychological and historical lenses, and focuses on how it affected various notable people throughout history. It offers a relatively sympathetic and positive view of procrastination, and suggests that it can help us figure out what matters to us.

Books about cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that aims to improve people’s mental health by helping them modify and eliminate negative emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. CBT can, for example, help people identify problematic triggers, deal with negative thought patterns, and face situations that they fear.

When it comes to overcoming procrastination, CBT can be beneficial both when it comes to dealing with procrastinatory behaviors directly, as well as when it comes to dealing with underlying issues that lead to procrastination, such as anxiety or depression . Accordingly, CBT-based interventions have been shown to help people deal with their procrastination.

In general, and particularly if the issues that you’re dealing with are severe, a CBT intervention based on a book won’t be sufficient compared to one led by a licensed professional, and you’re encouraged to seek help from a professional if you believe that you need it. Nevertheless, research has shown that even self-guided CBT can be beneficial when it comes to dealing with your procrastination, so it can be worthwhile to give it a try, even just as an initial step.

Accordingly, here are a few recommended CBT books that you can look at:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple: 10 Strategies for Managing Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Panic, and Worry . This book, written by a licensed psychologist with extensive CBT experience, aims to present you with a simplified approach to CBT, by focusing on the most essential aspects of it. It presents you with a small selection of important CBT strategies and principles in an accessible manner, so you can implement them easily and quickly.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy For Dummies . This book, written by two CBT therapists, is meant to serve as an overview of CBT, that will help you understand how it works and how you can implement it to solve your own problems.
• The Anxiety and Worry Workbook: The Cognitive Behavioral Solution . This book, written by two professors and practitioners who are leading authorities on the topic of CBT, is a comprehensive source on the topic, and contains many guidelines, exercises, and worksheets that show you how to implement CBT one step at a time.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: 7 Ways to Freedom from Anxiety, Depression, and Intrusive Thoughts . This book is a concise and practical introduction to the topic of CBT, which contains tips on how to implement it. Unlike the other CBT books on the list, the author of this book is not a licensed professional in the field, though the book was nevertheless well-received by readers. Note that this book also has more of a spiritual and religious angle to it than the others, which some readers will like, while others will prefer to avoid.

If you’re not sure which one to pick, simply go with the first item on the list, which serves as an easy-to-handle introduction to the topic (“ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple: 10 Strategies for Managing Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Panic, and Worry ”).

Other recommended books

There are some notable books that don’t revolve around procrastination, but nevertheless discuss topics that are interesting and useful to procrastinators:

• The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It . Since procrastination is, at its core, a failure of our self-control mechanisms, this book, which is considered one of the most notable ones published on the topic, can be a valuable read for procrastinators. It is based on the author’s Stanford University course on the topic, and deals with issues such as why we run out of willpower, how we can train our willpower, and how your mindset toward your willpower affects your ability to exercise it.
• Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us . This book provides research-based insights into human motivation. In particular, it examines what it suggests are the three key elements of motivation—autonomy, mastery, and purpose—and explains how we can use our understanding of them to motivate ourselves to get things done using a variety of techniques.
• The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business . This book explains the science and psychology behind the habits that we form. It can help you understand how to eliminate or modify bad habits, and how to form good ones, which can help you when it comes to overcoming your procrastination. Alternatively, two other good books on the topic are  Atomic Habits and  Tiny Habits .
• Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity . This book is one of the best-known books on personal productivity. The tips and techniques outlined in this book can be useful to procrastinators, by helping them manage their time and deal with tasks in a way that reduces the likelihood of procrastination. A common criticism of this book is that while the system that it presents is simple, the book itself is too long, so consider just looking for a summary of the GTD system online.
• The War of Art . This book discusses the roadblocks that we face when pursuing any sort of creative endeavor, and how we can overcome them. This book is quite polarizing; some people find it highly inspiring and helpful, while others criticize it for being too simplistic. As such, you can take a look at its description and decide if it looks like the kind of book that you would find enjoyable.

Note that these books are certainly worth checking out if you want to learn about procrastination and related topics from a new angle, but if your goal is primarily to learn how to stop procrastinating, then you should read these books only after reading something that is more focused on procrastination in particular. For recommendations on such books, take a look at the first two sections of this article.

In conclusion

Procrastination can be a tough problem to handle, so you want to make sure you have the right material guiding you.

In this article, you saw a large selection of books on the topic that can serve as guides when it comes to solving your procrastination problem.

If you’ve read through the entire list and you’re not sure where to start, then you’re overthinking it. Simply go to the ‘top books section at the top of the article, and pick the first one on the list ( Solving the Procrastination Puzzle: A Concise Guide to Strategies for Change ).

Alternatively, this site has two comprehensive guides that you can read for free right now: why people procrastinate and how to stop procrastinating .

That’s it now; the rest is up to you. Take action now, and remember that you don’t have to make a perfect decision—you just need to make sure that you’re taking a step in the right direction.

30 Best Books on Procrastination (2023)

If you’re looking for the top books that will help you solve your procrastination problem, this list is for you.

Tomas Laurinavicius

Co-Founder & Chief Editor, Best Writing

It might be a bit different from one person to another, but procrastination creeps in on all of us at some point and somewhere.

Nobody is immune.

• Is there a way to overcome procrastination?
• Can procrastination be beneficial sometimes?
• Do we need to completely rewire our brains to defeat procrastination?

These are critical questions, and here are the 30 best books on procrastination by prominent authorities in the field who have tried to answer them.

Read on and may find all the answers. Just be careful about procrastinating while reading this list!

Solving the Procrastination Puzzle by Timothy A. Pychyl

We all have self-destructive habits and behaviors. Breaking free of them is sometimes more challenging than it sounds.

But in  Solving the Procrastination Puzzle , Pychyl has put together some science-based techniques to help us do just that.

Pychyl is a psychology professor at Carleton University in Ottawa, and for more than three decades, he has been trying to solve the procrastination puzzle!

The Now Habit by Neil A. Fiore

Professor Neil Fiore has successfully combined his personal experience with neuroscientific discoveries to develop a strategic program for overcoming procrastination.

The Now Habit  has  sold 100,000+ copies .

Stop Procrastinating by Nils Salzgeber

Nils Salzgeber is an Amazon #1 bestselling author and co-founder of the popular  NJlifehacks  blog.

In  Stop Procrastinating , he doesn’t dig into the definitions and reasons behind procrastination. Instead, he is concerned with providing practical tips and concrete methods for hacking laziness, as he calls it.

The Procrastination Cure By Damon Zahariades

The Procrastination Cure  is a comprehensive plan to defeat your inner procrastinator with 21 simple steps to help you gradually transform your work, social interactions, and family relationships.

The book is so well written and structured that it is considered one of the best books on procrastination.

The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal

The Willpower Instinct  is a winning combination of scientific research and some life-changing exercises.

Kelly McGonigal is a health psychologist and lecturer at Stanford University and a prominent authority on the emerging field of “science help.”

The Willpower Instinct is certainly a thought-provoking procrastination book.

The Procrastination Equation by Piers Steel

Piers Steel is an internationally recognized authority on procrastination who has been researching different aspects of psychology, science, and self-help for a couple of decades.

The Procrastination Equation  is a motivational guide to overcoming procrastination, filled with tremendous insights and life-changing techniques to end bad habits.

No Excuses! by Brian Tracy

Luck indeed plays a crucial role in people’s success. But that shouldn’t be an excuse for not trying to achieve what you deserve.

Brian Tracy has been lecturing for years. In  No Excuses! , he constantly reminds us of the key to success; instead of wistfully envying others, we must develop strategies to improve our self-discipline and personal development skills.

How to Stop Procrastinating by S.J. Scott

A little motivation can go a long way. Whether you are focused on getting good grades, making more money, or dealing with health or financial problems, you need a reason.

Changing anything requires motivation, and mastering self-motivation in this sense is, as S.J. Scott suggests, a superpower.

👉 Read   How to Stop Procrastinating

Time Warrior by Steve Chandler

Time Warrior  offers a revolutionary approach to time management and its role in beating procrastination.

In a 101-chapter book, Chandler explains productivity-related concepts such as time-tracking and multitasking.

The foundation of any successful planning, in his opinion, is investing in self-discovery and getting to know your inner drives.

Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy

Some procrastination books are as famous and well-known as the legendary  Eat That Frog .

It’s a concise guide to maximizing your productivity and performance.

Brian Tracy might not be a psychology professor, but he certainly knows how to give simple and easy-to-implement advice (like suggesting to “eat that frog”).

Getting Things Done by David Allen

From basic principles to proven tricks,  Getting Things Done  can transform how you plan your day and work.

The fundamental premise of the GTD system is straightforward:  our productivity matches our ability to relax .

So in a way, his focus is on the other side of productivity that is often overlooked: relaxation and peace of mind.

15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management by Kevin Kruse

Everyone dreams of accomplishing more without feeling overworked and overwhelmed.

What if we could easily create good habits that fundamentally transform our lives?

That's what Kevin Kruse suggests in his book,  15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management .

He draws remarkable findings from his study of ultra-productive people with different social and financial backgrounds.

Procrastination by Jane B. Burka

Regardless of social status and occupation, everyone deals with some degree of procrastination.

Students, professors, secretaries, entrepreneurs, homemakers, and salespeople all strive for success. This struggle requires hard work, self-discipline, self-control, and time management.

In  Procrastination , psychologists Jane B. Burka and Lenora M. Yuen offer a probing and insightful perspective on these all-encompassing challenges.

The End of Procrastination by Petr Ludwig and Adela Schicker

If overflowing inboxes and unmet deadlines are adding to your anxiety and you wonder why on earth I am procrastinating, this book gives the answer.

Ludwig and Schicker draw brilliant insights and the science behind why we postpone things.  The End of Procrastination  approaches procrastination unorthodoxly, offering strategies for developing good habits, stopping procrastination, and achieving your goals on time.

The Science of Overcoming Procrastination By Patrick King

Many people have tried to formulate an internal methodology and procedural system to overcome procrastination. Most have failed, and for one important reason: their practices had little to do with the challenges of everyday life.

Patrick King, however, is a social interaction specialist and one of the world's leading authorities on social behavior and procrastination tendencies.

👉 Read   The Science of Overcoming Procrastination

The Art of Procrastination by John Perry

The Art of Procrastination  is a lively book filled with charm and tongue-in-cheek wit.

John Perry examines the tortuous relationship between procrastination and perfectionism and suggests a different approach to this  universal character flaw: Acceptance .

He is an emeritus professor of philosophy at Stanford University and has taught philosophy regularly for about fifty years.

Procrastinate on Purpose by Rory Vaden

Vaden brings his high-energy approach and “can-do spirit” to the most challenging and intimidating problem of our time: stalled productivity.

Procrastinate on Purpose  is the best way to break free from the shackles of tired time management techniques.

Vaden offers a 5-step POP model to achieve focused success:

• Consolidate
• Procrastinate (Really?)

Addiction, Procrastination, and Laziness by Roman Gelperin

Sometimes we feel entirely paralyzed to do certain things, and sometimes we feel the same when we start other things.

Addiction, Procrastination, and Laziness  is a self-help book and an in-depth analysis of the psychology of motivation. Gelperin provides fifteen effective techniques to motivate yourself when you can’t bring yourself to tackle your projects.

Following Through by Steve Levinson Ph.D., Pete Greider M.Ed.

It's a fresh and bold perspective on why we fail to do what we set out to do or make the life-enhancing changes we genuinely intend to make.

People often blame themselves for lacking motivation, willpower, and self-discipline.

However, the authors of  Following Through  believe that it is rather the human mind that is responsible.

The One Thing by Gary Keller

A more productive life in such a distracted world is the Holy Grail for many of us.

But is it possible to increase productivity and become less distracted?

Gary Keller believes so. And the key to figuring out everything else is truly understanding what your  One Thing  is.

The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey

The Productivity Project  is a scientific dive into Chris Bailey’s year-long journey and his attempt to understand how to reduce procrastination.

He interviewed some of the world’s leading experts, from Charles Duhigg to David Allen, and conducted extensive research on productivity.

The result is an eye-opening and thoroughly engaging read.

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

Award-winning business reporter Charles Duhigg takes us on an exciting journey of scientific discoveries and explains the importance of creating habits.

The author of  The Power of Habit  urges readers to consider building discipline through repetitive behaviors.

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Atomic Habits  is one of the best books on procrastination and creating productivity habits.

It’s the number 1 New York Times bestseller and has  sold 4+ million copies .

James Clear offers an alternative way to think about progress and success and develop more fulfilling strategies to achieve any goal.

Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff

There are various reasons why people procrastinate—lack of focus, the search for novelty, the unhealthy pursuit of perfectionism, etc.

Nonetheless, in his book,  Self-Compassion , Neff explains that perhaps the  most important reason is a destructive sense of insecurity . Overwhelming self-criticism and guilt diminish our ability to think, decide, and act intelligently.

Self-Compassion is not a procrastination book like any other. It exposes the profound consequences of self-destructive habits and suggests how to counteract self-criticism.

Do the Work by Steven Pressfield

Let’s face the harsh possibility. We might be our own worst enemy.

If that’s the case, where does the process of overcoming procrastination and other destructive behaviors begin?

The answer is simple:  Do the Work . Pressfield is the author of  The War of Art , another influential book about mustering strength and determination.

Exceptional by Daniel M. Cable

In  Exceptional , Daniel M. Cable proposes a bold new approach to improving your performance and deepening your goals.

The title isn’t directly related to our topic, but overcoming procrastination is only possible when we free ourselves from the spell of idleness.

Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey

Distractibility and lack of focus are among the prime suspects in procrastination.

Hyperfocus  is a concise guide to managing your attention, becoming more productive, and living a happier life.

Chris Bailey draws brilliant insights and practical strategies from the latest neuroscientific discoveries on concentration and focus.

The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma

The myths surrounding building a daily routine are limitless. But in  The 5 AM Club , Sharma shares insider tactics that turn serial procrastinators into high-achievers.

He believes that waking up early in the morning leaves us feeling inspired, focused, and full of drive. After all, the early bird catches the worm, as the saying goes.

The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson

Jeff Olson makes a compelling argument that mastering the art of stress-free productivity requires discipline. It must be learned and practiced like any other self-regulating behavior until it becomes a habit.

The Slight Edge  shows you how to achieve powerful results with the simple daily activities of your own life, using self-help tools you already have inside you.

Emotional Intelligence for Self-Discipline By Daniel Hollins

Overcoming procrastination requires you to learn the principles for daily self-control. This book is for you if you want exercises, methods, and practices to control your emotions.

Emotional Intelligence for Self-Discipline  includes  80+ exercises  to help you in the process of overcoming laziness and internalizing self-control.

Most Common Questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding procrastination.

What is the best book to stop procrastination?

There are many options. But if you’re looking for a short and easy read,  Eat That Frog  is one of the classic self-help books that has helped many people overcome procrastination.

What are the four types of procrastinators?

We all procrastinate. But that doesn’t mean we all do it the same way or for the same reasons.

There are four types of procrastinators:

1. Anxious procrastinators.  Procrastination can manifest itself in various ways, such as being afraid to start or complete a task or make a decision. You can think of this type of procrastination as an ill-directed coping mechanism to avoid the possibility of failure.

2. The fun-driven procrastinators.  Novelty-seekers or fun procrastinators are willing to do anything apart from the task. While getting excited about new ideas is an excellent personal quality, it can interfere with the ability to take the time to do what needs to be done.

3. Last-minute procrastinators.  Some people argue that they work better under pressure. They put everything off until the last minute. It may sound logical on some level, but in the end, intentionally increasing the risk of burnout and high-stress levels is not beneficial to our mental and physical well-being.

4. The perfectionist procrastinators.  Perfectionists fear not being able to complete their to-do lists perfectly and constantly criticize their work. Numerous studies suggest that perfectionism and procrastination create a vicious cycle that makes it impossible to even begin an important task.

What are the seven causes of procrastination?

1. Fear of the outcome.  Fear of failure, disapproval, and rejection is a strong motive for putting things off.

Sometimes even fear of success and dealing with the subsequent changes in our lives can have a similar impact.

2. Lack of focus.  Distractibility, or the inability to focus on one thing or stay focused for an extended period, is one of the main causes of procrastination.

Distractibility causes you to jump from one task to the next, so you can not finish something you have started.

3. Unclear goals or time limits.  Vague or abstract goals are often why we can’t muster the will to start working. Setting measurable, realistic, and worthwhile goals is the best way to avoid this.

It’s also beneficial to set a timeline for your project. A to-do list can become your new habit, helping you organize your mind and avoid procrastination problems.

4. Perfectionism . It’s unclear whether perfectionism is a personal trait or a bad habit.

However, there is no doubt that extreme forms of perfectionism are associated with procrastination.

Extreme perfectionists often will indefinitely put off the task until they make sure they can do it perfectly and flawlessly.

5. Task avoidance and challenge aversion.  We avoid doing many difficult tasks because they are very demanding for us. It can be related to the first reason, fear of the outcome.

Still, this also applies to the process of completing important tasks. Some researchers have argued that our self-sustenance instinct prevents us from tackling difficult tasks.

6. Low self-esteem.  Low self-esteem and self-criticism can cause procrastination if you are uncertain about your ability to do something.

High levels of depression, guilt, and anxiety severely limit people mentally and physically and often prevent them from leading a more productive life and having healthy relationships.

7. Decision fatigue.  John Tierney popularized the term “decision fatigue.”

The main point here is that our ability to make daily decisions is limited. So when we have to make more and more decisions (even about small things), we tend to become indecisive and procrastinate.

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8 Must-Read Books on Procrastination

In a recent article, I told you about the four most important steps I took to overcome severe procrastination .

Step one was all about becoming a learning machine. I describe in the article how the life-long learner mindset has played a crucial role in helping me improve many aspects related to procrastination, such as self-discipline, self-compassion, mindfulness, and emotion regulation.

In today’s article, I want to show you the top eight books that helped me the most on my own journey of overcoming procrastination.

Without further ado, here are the eight best books on procrastination.

1. The Now Habit by Neil Fiore

This is where it all started for me – the first book on procrastination I’ve ever read.

I remember like it was yesterday. I just moved into a new apartment with Jonas, and I was struggling like crazy. I had literally zero self-discipline back then. Every day was an internal struggle of trying to be productive versus giving in to distractions. The amount of guilt I was experiencing these days was just nuts.

In the aftermath, I’m happy I’ve had to go through that period. After all, it’s what brought me on this path of lifelong learning, personal growth, and becoming the best version of myself.

The Now Habit is an old-school book that makes up for its lack of scientific evidence with counter-intuitive strategies, such as guilt-free plan , the Unschedule , the work of worrying , or three-dimensional thinking .

Here are three crucial lessons you’ll learn from this book:

• Sacrificing play doesn’t work. I often fell into this trap myself. I was always either working (being busy, but not productive) or feeling guilty for not working. Fiore’s counter-intuitive approach is to prioritize play and commit to it before even thinking about work.
• Tracking your time is perhaps the easiest way to reduce procrastination and eliminate a lot of the guilt associated with it. Forced to track your time, you automatically waste less of it. Plus, you feel better about yourself because you realize you’re doing better than you thought.
• Find ways to reduce fear and create safety. We often procrastinate due to unconscious fears, such as fear of success, fear of inadequacy, or fear of failure. By creating safety in our lives, we can calm down and be more productive.

2. The Procrastination Equation by Piers Steel

This is a great book and one of my personal favorites for overcoming procrastination . 

That said, I don’t view it as a procrastination book per se. It’s more about the science of motivation. In fact, Piers’ entire approach to procrastination is one of motivation.

At the core of the book is his motivation equation , which shows precisely why we’re motivated to pursue an action or not. If the motivation for an important task is lower than the motivation for distractions (e.g., watching television, playing video games, or eating ice cream), then we procrastinate.

As long as motivation for other activities is higher than for the activities we’re putting off, we’ll procrastinate.

Here are three other lessons you’ll learn from this book:

• Technology is a major driver of procrastination . We’ve seen a five-fold increase in procrastination over the last few decades. Why? Because modern temptations – video games, TV series, smartphones, etc. – are too sexy and we have a hard time resisting them.
• Fatigue is the #1 reason given for procrastination. In Piers’ own words: “When you are tired at the end of day, after your job has already got the best part of you, cleaning out the garbage is the last thing you are going to do. Fatigue increases task-aversion, saps interest, and makes the difficult excruciating.”
• Be deliberate about creating your environment. In short, you need to purge your environment from everything that induces procrastination and fill it with things that prime you to get work done.

3. Solving the Procrastination Puzzle by Timothy Pychyl

This book is very procrastinator-friendly: it’s short and practical.

You can read it in one or two sittings, which is enough to learn a few important facts about procrastination. In addition, it gives you a good feeling because you’ve actually finished something.

Here are three important lessons you’ll learn from this book:

• It’s all about short-term mood repair. Procrastination happens when what we want to do makes us feel bad and we end up doing something that feels better. It’s all about emotions. And it’s all about feeling good.
• Focus on getting started.   I’ve written an entire article about this. The gist of it is that the pain is in the anticipation, not in the actual doing of a dreaded task. Once we get started, good things start happening – we just need to overcome the initial resistance.
• Your mind is a reason-giving machine. Your mind will create all kinds of bullshit excuses designed to keep you from doing the very things you should be doing. These reasons can be seen through and nullified.

4. Getting Things Done by David Allen

Ever feel like there’s a hovering anxiety that never seems to go away? An anxiety about missing or forgetting about something important?

This book will help you tame that anxiety.

Getting Things Done, or GTD in short, is all about organizing your life so that you feel more in control of. You just know you’ve got everything covered. You know you’ve got an overview of your life. You know it’s all saved in your system somewhere.

The GTD system will significantly reduce the amount of anxiety and worrying you experience on a daily basis.

Here are three concepts you’ll learn in the book:

• “Mind like water” is the result of being organized and having a system you can trust. As Zen master Shunryu Suzuki used to say: “If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything; it is open to everything.”
• The two-minute rule. This is easily one of the most powerful rules in the productivity game. And it’s simple, too: “If the next action can be done in two minutes or less, do it now.”
• Your mind is a great place to have ideas, but a terrible place to manage them. This is perhaps the core teaching of the book. Your mind is great at generating ideas, but you need to put them into a reliable system. Otherwise you’re feeling confused and overwhelmed a lot of the time.

5. Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff

This book was crucial in helping me overcome procrastination for two reasons. First, it released a lot of guilt I was carrying around with me. Second, it helped me move from self-criticism to self-compassion.

It’s all about creating a healthy relationship with yourself. It’s okay to have flaws, make mistakes, and mess up sometimes. The key in those situations is to react with warmth, understanding, and compassion – not with self-hatred, criticism, and mental beatings.

If you’re struggling with guilt and self-criticism, this book will make a massive difference.

Here are three things you’ll learn:

• Self-compassion trumps self-criticism. Self-compassionate people are happier, healthier, have better relationships, feel better about their lives as a whole, achieve greater financial and career success, and so on.
• Self-forgiveness, rather than self-punishment, reduces procrastination. It’s all about creating a place of safety and care, rather than fear. Once you’re operating from a safe place, you’ll find yourself less in need of procrastination.
• The more self-compassionate you are, the less you’ll procrastinate. When you sincerely care about yourself, you’ll want the best for yourself – and that’s never procrastination.

6. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

I could have chosen any other book on the topic of mindfulness and being present. The Power of Now just turns out to be one of my favorites and one that I recommend everyone read anyway.

The truth is, mindfulness is an absolute game changer in overcoming procrastination. The ability to watch your thoughts and emotions from a distance, stay detached and non-reactive, and operate from a place of calm, safety, and nonjudgment makes a huge difference.

Here are three things you’ll learn from this book:

• You are not your thoughts. You are the witness behind your thoughts. You are the sky, not the clouds. You are the deep ocean, not the surface waves. Once you realize that, you start taking thoughts less seriously – and that helps in beating procrastination.
• Self-criticism is silly. If you could have possibly done better than you have, you would have done it. There’s no point in beating yourself up all the time. At any given moment, you do the best under the given circumstances.
• Guilt and self-pity are self-indulgent. It’s all about Me, Me, Me. Nobody cares about your feelings and nobody thinks they’re that important. Get over yourself, move on, and do what needs to get done regardless of how you feel.

7. The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal

At the end of the day, procrastination is a willpower issue.

We want to wake up early, study for exams, go to the gym, or clean the dishes… but we lack the necessary willpower to follow through.

The Willpower Instinct is easily the best book on willpower out there. It offers a complete crash course on everything you need to know to build real self-discipline (and self-discipline is the one thing that will make all the difference in the long-run).

Here are three things you’ll learn from the book:

• Willpower is physiological as much as psychological. Willpower isn’t just in your head, it’s in your body, too. This explains why energy, deep breathing, stress, and other factors are so crucial.
• Stress is perhaps the #1 threat to self-control. This explains why we’re most likely to procrastinate when we’re under stress – we just don’t have much willpower available to us.
• Exercise boosts willpower. This resonates with a study I’ve recently read which showed that people who exercise regularly procrastinate less.

8. Stop Procrastinating by Nils Salzgeber

Hands down the greatest book on procrastination ever released and ever to be released is my book, Stop Procrastinating: A Simple Guide to Hacking Laziness, Building Self Discipline, and Overcoming Procrastination .

Just kidding.

My book is a blend between science and my personal experiences. As many of you know, I’ve been struggling with procrastination all my life, and I have only recently gone through a remarkable transformation. (Read more about it here .)

I’ve kept the book as short and practical as possible. The last thing I wanted to do was give a 500-page bible into the hands of a procrastinator.

• The one underlying cause of procrastination. Yes, there’s only one, and it always comes down to your emotions and the problem of two selves.
• Why awareness is a crucial yet often neglected ingredient in overcoming procrastination. Hint: the more awareness you develop around your procrastination tendencies, the better you’ll fare.
• A complete walk-through of the new science of willpower. After all, procrastination boils down to willpower. So the better you get at this skill, the less you’ll struggle with procrastination.

Any Books Missing?

Now I’d love to hear your opinion on those books. Have you read any of them? Are there important ones missing?

Let us know in the comments below, and thanks for reading!

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Nils Salzgeber

Nils Salzgeber is the author of two books and co-founder of the popular NJlifehacks blog. He is passionate about anything that helps him become a more peaceful, productive, and loving version of himself. After quitting university twice, he has recently gone back to get a psychology degree. Nils lives in Thun, Switzerland.

Thanks for this compilation. I’ll go with your suggestion and buy 7 of these 8 books now because I already one of them. I am creating a one-day workshop on overcoming procrastination and I need to get started somewhere. Thanks again!

Way to go! 🙂

Hi Nilz, this is really great. Thanks for sharing. I’m having difficulties getting these books over here innNigeria though. Could you mind sharing an E-version or something? Thanks.

Hey Uddy, I can’t share another person’s book for free, but if you email me, I can send you a copy of my book.

me too please [email protected]

Send me an email to [email protected] .

What do you think about The End of Procrastination by Petr Ludwig?

Haven’t read it yet.

You should give it a try

I’ll consider it, thanks!

Have read a few of them, they indeed have helped a lot in improving my lifestyle. Three of my favourite books are:

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

Solving the Procrastination Puzzle by Timothy Pychyl

Procrasdemon – The Artist’s Guide To Liberation From Procrastination By Neeraj Agnihotri

Thank you for this amazing post!

Thank you for sharing, Todd. Definitely recommend the first two you mentioned (haven’t read the third one but sounds interesting!). I must have read The Power of Now 10+ times. Massively impacted me when I first started reading and got into mindfulness, meditation, etc…

Hi Nils, If I were to read only one of these books in addition to yours 🙂 which one would you recommend as the most effective? and which one would you recommend reading after it? Thanks, Nofar

The Power of Now and Self-Compassion have (overall) had the greatest impact on my life, so I would recommend one of those 🙂

Hey Nils! I loved the way you have written this article. You not only mention the names of the books but also gave an outline of the most important aspects mentioned in those books in as limited words as possible. Thank you so much for such a wonderful article! Great work!

My pleasure, Badresh! Thanks for the kind words 🙂

Thank you so much Nils, for putting out this article.I hope I reading these books helps curb my procrastination.Try reading “Eat that frog!” by Brian Tracy. It’s short and practical. P.S Is your MBTI type ENFP by any chance?

You’ll have to re-word that question if you want it answered 🙂

Hello Nils, I have one more book about procrastination that came out since this post has been published, The End of Procrastination, I would love to send you a copy and if you’ll like it, would you be up to add it to the list? 🙂 Have a great day, Adela

Hey Adela, the book is currently on my bookshelf. Once I’ve read it and found it useful, I’ll gladly add it to the list. By the way, I love what you, Petr, and the rest of the team is doing over at procrastination.com. If you’d like to cooperate on some project, feel free to contact me! 🙂

Nils, this is one of the best articles I have read. Simple, practical and most of all insightful. Thanks! Of all the books (some of which I have read) I decided yours will be the first I’d get 🙂 Bought it but was hoping there was an audio version with the ebook. Is there one?

Thanks so much for the kind words, Cheng. Unfortunately, there’s no audio version of Stop Procrastinating yet. Might add it in the future. Happy reading! 🙂

Hi Nils, Happy I came upon your post. I am in the middle of my post: Combat Chronic Procrastination in 5 steps practical steps. To be published, presently.

Oh, that’s awesome, Clara! May I ask what those 5 steps are?

Loved it! Thanks for your efforts.

My pleasure. Thank you for your feedback.

This is a nice list, thanks for compiling and sharing it! 🙂 My favorite one from this list is ‘The Power of Now’! I’d also recommend you to read the ‘Procrastination Elimination Method’ by John Isaac… it’s my newest favorite book on procrastination 🙂

Thank you for sharing, Tanya.

When Panic Attacks by David Burns

At first this doesn’t seem like a book about procrastination but it is. It’s a book of emotional pain and resistance. It dives deeper into what you write about. Learning how to directly deal with your emotions except with a bonus:

1) “All emotions come from thoughts” 2) “All thoughts can be modified to be more truthful and helpful”

The only thing his books are missing is the two mind model (Thinking Fast and Slow) but David Burns dives into techniques for permanently changing your own stubborn beliefs. He does a very good job at it.

Heya there, JD. Totally agree with you. Cognitive therapy can surely be useful in overcoming procrastination. I’ve just started reading David’s latest book, Feeling Great .

You should definitely include “Eat that Frog” By Brian Tracy. it is a simple and quite useful book to beat procrastination.

Yeah, that’s another useful one as well. For me, it’s not super related to procrastination, which is why I didn’t include it here. I did write a summary on it: https://www.njlifehacks.com/eat-that-frog-brian-tracy-summary/

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The 5 Best Books on Procrastination for Limitless Productivity

Each year, millions of people struggle with the habit of procrastination.

For some, it’s a minor issue that only crops up every now and then. For others, it can be a crippling habit that ruins their lives.

Despite its prevalence, however, there’s still a lot of confusion about how we can overcome this debilitating psychological tendency.

If you’re struggling with procrastination, don’t worry – you’re not alone.

There is plenty of literature out there that can help you overcome this habit.

With that said, here are five of the best books on procrastination.

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The 5 Best Books on Procrastination

1. eat that frog by brian tracy.

Eat That Frog! is a self-help book by Brian Tracy that discusses the importance of productivity and offers 21 techniques for becoming more productive.

The book begins by discussing the importance of productivity and why it is essential to achieve goals.

Tracy then provides 21 techniques for becoming more productive, including breaking down goals into smaller tasks, setting deadlines, and avoiding distractions.

The book concludes with a chapter on developing good habits and a chapter on overcoming obstacles.

Overall, Eat That Frog! is an informative book that offers helpful tips for becoming more productive.

The techniques provided are easy to follow and can be implemented immediately.

The book is well-written and easy to read, making it a great choice for anyone looking to increase their productivity.

2. The Now Habit by Neil A. Fiore

The Now Habit is a book about breaking the habit of procrastination.

Neil A. Fiore, the author, is a psychologist who has worked with patients who suffer from this potentially debilitating habit.

The book is based on his findings and experience in helping these patients.

The goal of the book is to help people learn how to take action and achieve their goals.

The book is organized into three sections: understanding procrastination, changing your behavior, and creating a new habit.

In the first section, Fiore discusses the different types of procrastinators and what causes them to delay tasks.

He provides tips for recognizing when you are procrastinating and strategies for overcoming it.

The second section focuses on changing your behavior. Fiore offers techniques for setting goals, planning, and managing time.

He also discusses how to deal with distractions and urges to procrastinate.

The third section explains how to create a new habit of taking action.

Fiore provides advice on developing a positive mindset, building self-confidence, and dealing with setbacks.

Overall, The Now Habit provides helpful tips for overcoming procrastination and taking action towards your goals.

3. Solving the Procrastination Puzzle by Timothy A. Pychyl

Solving the Procrastination Puzzle is a book written by Timothy A. Pychyl that discusses the different factors that contribute to procrastination and offers possible solutions to overcoming it.

The book is divided into four sections, which each explore a different aspect of procrastination: its causes, effects, consequences, and how to address it.

Pychyl discusses a variety of factors that can contribute to procrastination, including fear of failure, perfectionism, anxiety, lack of interest or motivation, and lack of self-confidence.

He argues that these factors often result from negative thoughts and beliefs about oneself, such as “I’m not good enough,” “I can’t do this,” or “I don’t deserve success.”

These thoughts can be difficult to challenge and change, but Pychyl provides strategies for doing so.

Procrastination can have negative consequences for both individuals and organizations.

For individuals, it can lead to stress, anxiety, lower self-esteem, and other mental health issues.

It can also interfere with academic or professional goals. For organizations, procrastination can lead to missed deadlines, lower productivity, and higher costs.

There are several strategies that Pychyl recommends for overcoming procrastination.

One is identifying the thoughts and beliefs that contribute to it. Another is developing a plan for tackling tasks one at a time.

Pychyl also recommends taking breaks and allowing oneself time to relax; this can help reduce negative emotions that often contribute to procrastination.

Finally, he recommends seeking help from others if needed.

4. The End of Procrastination by Petr Ludwig and Adela Schicker

The End of Procrastination is a self-help book that provides a guide to overcoming procrastination.

The book is divided into three sections: understanding procrastination, overcoming procrastination, and staying on track.

Ludwig first defines procrastination as the act of delaying tasks despite knowing they need to be done.

He then discusses the causes of procrastination , which can include fear of failure, perfectionism, and low self-esteem.

Ludwig offers strategies for overcoming these obstacles, such as breaking down tasks into smaller pieces, setting deadlines, and using positive reinforcement.

The final section of the book focuses on maintaining progress.

Ludwig recommends creating a habit tracker to monitor progress and establishing routines to make task completion easier.

He also stresses the importance of taking breaks and celebrating small accomplishments.

Overall, The End of Procrastination provides an in-depth look at the causes and effects of procrastination and offers a variety of strategies for overcoming it.

5. The Art of Procrastination by John R. Perry

The Art of Procrastination discusses the benefits of procrastination and how to use it to your advantage.

Perry argues that procrastination can be a useful tool for managing stress, avoiding distractions, and preventing burnout.

He also contends that procrastination can be a sign of creativity and intelligence, and that it should not be viewed as a problem to be overcome.

The book is divided into three sections: “What Is Procrastination?”, “How to Use Procrastination to Your Advantage”, and “When Procrastination Goes Wrong”.

In the first section, Perry discusses the history and definition of procrastination.

He argues that procrastination is not simply laziness or avoidance, but rather a complex behavior with many benefits.

In the second section, Perry describes five ways to use procrastination to your advantage: delaying decisions, taking breaks, avoiding perfectionism, setting boundaries, and using boredom.

He provides examples of how each strategy can be used to overcome common challenges such as stress, distractions, and overwhelm.

In the third section, Perry discusses the dangers of chronic procrastination and offers tips for overcoming them.

Overall, “The Art of Procrastination” is a helpful guide for understanding and using procrastination to your advantage.

It provides concrete strategies for dealing with common challenges, as well as advice for overcoming the negative consequences of chronic procrastination.

Procrastination is a far-reaching problem for many people, with various causes and effects.

However, it is possible to overcome procrastination with the right strategies in place.

The books listed above provide helpful advice for understanding and overcoming this phenomenon.

With perseverance and practice, it is possible to make progress and become a more productive version of yourself.

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The Best Books on Procrastination to Crush the Habit for Good

April 16, 2019 By Tania Braukamper Leave a Comment

Looking to crush your procrastination habit but not sure where to start? Here’s our suggestion: Delve into one (or more) of the best books on procrastination out there.

The awesome thing about the books on this list is that they don’t just explain the science of procrastination and why we do it, they equip you with the tools and strategies to actually stop stalling and get stuff done.

One caveat: Read them with purpose. If actually reading the books is a way for you to procrastinate doing some other work, that would, you know, kind of defeat the purpose. Just saying.

The Best Books on Procrastination to Permanently Kick the Habit

And now, ready to jump in? Let’s take a look at eight must-read books on procrastination.

No, you don’t have to leg it to your nearest French restaurant. “Eating the frog” is (thankfully) a metaphor for tackling the most challenging thing on your to-do list. Says Tracy, we should start every day by doing just that.

Eating the frog forces us to prioritize what’s important — and gets the worst out the way so we don’t end up putting it off.

Of course, there’s more to the book than that. Tracy offers 21 highly actionable strategies for beating procrastination, from using the 80/20 rule to leveraging your best skills. Each chapter contains frog-eating activities you can try for yourself. It’s an easy read, and one of the most well-known books on procrastination for a reason.

Bonus quote : “The law of Forced Efficiency says that ‘There is never enough time to do everything, but there is always enough time to do the most important thing.’”

Why do we put off doing what’s important? In tackling that question, Steven Pressfield puts a sword in our hand and stands us face to face with the demon he calls “Resistance”: a universal force that sabotages creativity and keeps us locked in the status quo.

Pressfield examines the ways in which we let Resistance impact our work, and not only gives us the tools to beat it, but also the inspiration to do so.

Bonus quote : “Never forget: This very moment, we can change our lives. There never was a moment, and never will be, when we are without the power to alter our destiny. This second we can turn the tables on Resistance. This second, we can sit down and do our work.”

Piers Steel, Ph.D, is one of the world’s foremost researchers on procrastinating — though we bet he doesn’t do too much of it himself, ironically, or he never would have earned that title. In any case, this book uses his groundbreaking research as the basis for explaining the causes of procrastination, including cultural, psychological, and biological factors, as well as how to overcome them.

P.s. Don’t be deterred by all the science. Steel writes in a way that’s accessible, down to earth, even humorous. So it’s not only one of the best books on procrastination but possibly one of the most enjoyable, too.

Bonus quote : “You could put [this] book aside, but relevance keeps you reading. This is equally true for other actions and tasks: the risk of procrastination diminishes when tasks are relevant, instrumentally connected to topics and goals of personal significance.”

Professor Pychyl knows all about procrastination. So much so that he made this book super-short so you wouldn’t put off reading it.

And once you do jump in and get reading, you’ll find that Solving The Procrastination Puzzle is clearly laid out with descriptions of common problems followed by strategies you can use to solve them. Pychyl covers topics like how and why we deceive ourselves, the power of getting started (but why getting started isn’t everything), and how to strengthen our willpower using motivational strategies.

Bonus quote : “We only have a finite amount of time to live. Why waste it?”

We know what you’re thinking. Yet another book that promises to overload you with dry, sciency information about the psychology of procrastination. So what sets this book apart?

Partly it uses lots of analogies and stick-figure diagrams to explain stuff. But the main reason it makes the list of the best books on procrastination is its inclusion of unique, practical, and easy-to-use tools. Eight of them to be exact. Things like worksheets, to-do lists, and questionnaires with tick boxes. Because nothing makes you feel more accomplished than putting a big old tick in a tick box. Best of all, these tools are actually helpful. So for that, it’s worth the read.

Bonus quote : “Creating habits isn’t about quantity; it’s about small steps and regular repetition. By taking small steps, you can make big changes.”

Procrastination is persistent desire, says Sam Bennett. It’s genius in disguise.

Bennett’s positive outlook is like a breath of fresh air in the procrastination book space. If we change our mindset, we can see the act of procrastination as a guidepost pointing us toward what’s most important in our lives.

And then, using case studies and practical exercises, she helps us understand our procrastination habits, work with them, and, ultimately, overcome them.

Bonus quote : “Once you let your idea out of the hermetically sealed vault of your brain and out into the fresh air, it will immediately start to evolve.”

This is another one of those procrastination books that offers clear-cut strategies and methods for changing the way you approach tasks. Dr. Fiore’s approach is unique in that it seems counterintuitive. Deliberately worrying? Scheduling play before work (a time-management method he calls “The Unschedule”)? These techniques and more aren’t delivered in isolation; they make up a detailed plan geared toward giving you more time and less stress in life.

Bonus quote : “Whenever you begin to feel overwhelmed by the large, grand project that looms before you, remind yourself, ‘I can take one small step. One small step; one rough, rough draft; one imperfect sketch; one small hello. That’s all I need to do now.'”

You might recall that one of the ways to stop procrastinating is to change the nature of the task at hand. In other words, make a task less tedious and you’re more likely to get it done. Well, this book by Steve Kamb, while not explicitly a book on procrastination, teaches you how to do precisely that. In fact, it’ll teach you how to make your whole life less tedious.

Kamb’s book is based around the Hero’s Journey story structure and uses popular video games, books, and movies as inspiration for turning every aspect of life — even the most boring and mundane ones — into adventures. Feeling like James Bond or Lara Croft when you get to the office? Way to get your butt into gear.

Bonus quote : “Every day we have two options: we can choose to believe life is a series of random coincidences that are mostly out of our control, or we can choose to believe the world in which we live is full of secrets, that everything is epic, and that we are playing the role of a character in a massive world built around us, as characters who are on their own Hero’s Journey or are helping us with ours.”

Your turn: Have you read any of these best books on procrastination? Tell us your favorite in the comments.

Need more help taking on your procrastination? Our complete guide shows you the way.

Author: Tania Braukamper

Tania Braukamper is an Australian-born writer and photographer. She believes in curiosity, kindness, and adventure as a state of mind.

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Top 10 Best Books On Procrastination To Help You Get Motivated

If you’re reading this article, it’s likely that you’re procrastinating. Even if the exact science and etymology of procrastination itself is above your head, we all know what it’s like to get behind on stuff.

For many of us, the feeling of putting off goals, errands, or activities until as late as possible is common; so much so that it’s a part of our daily routines. Despite procrastination being so relatable, it is strange how everyone does it. After all, if we waste time on deadlines down to the last minute, are we all doing something wrong? Is there anything that can be done to stop this unproductive habit?

These are important questions, and the answers can reveal shocking truths about the nature of human psychology. But in order to find those answers, we have to get a little background on what exactly procrastination is.

What Is Procrastination?

Procrastination can be defined as the act of delaying things we want or need to do. This can be any activity, from cramming for a test the night before after ignoring it to postponing a medical appointment until after you’re due for a checkup.

Many of us have learned the hard lesson that this kind of behavior has dire consequences. From getting low marks in school to missing out on major life opportunities like jobs and important errands, the effects of procrastination can be dire. So what is the underlying menace that causes us to harm ourselves for seemingly no reason?

Psychologists have a number of ideas about the cause. Let’s have a look at a few common hypotheses.

We Work Well Under Pressure

For a lot of people, working on a task isn’t efficient unless they know they can do it as fast as they can. When does that happen? Right when it needs to be done by.

While this sort of behavior seems risky, it becomes understandable when we’re presented with a lot of different tasks. Some of us focus more when we know the deadline for a task is right around the corner.

It’s a Response to Being Overwhelmed

Another common reason to procrastinate is just because we find our work overwhelming. This isn’t to say that it means we are doing it to work faster . Rather, many people just freeze up and ignore a problem if they feel like they can’t get it all done.

You Underestimate How Long a Task Will Take

To understand this, think of a task you need to complete and ask yourself how long it will take you to do it. When it actually gets to be time for doing that task, compare the amount of time it takes against your estimate. Were you right?

Many of us picture the amount of time it takes to complete a task without thinking about what working on something actually looks like. How long will you spend browsing social media, checking your phone, or staring off to space? For many people, the answer is “more than we realize.”

Something Else Is on Your Mind

No matter how much you want to get something done, you won’t focus on it unless it’s your top mental priority. For example, if you really need to study for a test tomorrow but you’re going on vacation the day after that, your thoughts won’t be as centered toward the test. As a result, it will take you longer to actually complete the studying required to get a good score.

You Don’t Enjoy the Work

Frequently, people have some tasks that they complete swiftly and as soon as they can do them, while having other tasks that seemingly never get done. If this sounds like you, you may have noticed that this might be a result of the content of the task itself.

Simply put, if you don’t like the task you have to do, you won’t get it done as efficiently. We don’t do things we don’t like doing.

Dealing With Procrastination: Read a Procrastination Book

Now that we understand why we procrastinate, how do we get ourselves to stop? As it turns out, the answer might not be so simple. This is because the barriers to procrastination are often part of the tasks themselves, or the work done to finish them.

Like all skills that have to do with discipline and motivation, procrastination doesn’t have any easy fixes. However, by focusing your brain on getting work done, you may find that you can procrastinate less and less over time.

So how do you focus your brain? One great option is through the reading of books about procrastination. They’re a great choice because not only do you get to read about ideas that reinforce staying on task, but you get words of encouragement about getting things done.

Books on procrastination can really help, because it’s almost like having a few hundred pages of a personal life coach cheering you on. Plus, many books are written by professionals who have spent years dealing with the problem of procrastination.

Now it’s only a matter of finding the right book for you. Let’s look at the top 10 best books on procrastination to help you kick your bad habits!

#1 - Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

Instead of just offering you words of encouragement without sound advice, this procrastination book actually teaches you to systematically organize your life in a way that’s conducive to productivity.

The book itself is centered around a system of organizing your goals ahead of time and accomplishing them based on their importance. This is great because it doesn’t just preach buzz words like “self control” or “laziness”.

Another main idea of the book is that the human brain is great at thinking creatively and actively, but lacks strong memory storage. This is great for art and quick problem solving, but not great when you have many things to do. A lot of us go from one task to the other, forgetting the relevance of anything else.

To combat this issue, author David Allen recommends this 5 part strategy to thinking about the relevance and importance of the tasks you need to get done:

• Capture - First, record every task you can think of that needs to get done. Maybe this is as simple as writing down a “to do list” on a piece of paper or in the notes app of your mobile device.
• Process - Think about how the task fits into your short term and long term goals. You might have something that needs to get done in 6 months, or you might have a household chore that shouldn’t be waited on. One great rule is: If you can get it done in two minutes do it right now.
• Organize - With a rough idea of when and how something should be done, you can plan it in accordance to other tasks. If step 1 is a notepad, step 3 is a calendar. Make a specific time to do each task.
• Reflect - Examine your plans and calendar as thoroughly as possible. This is arguably the most important step because it takes consistent effort. Anyone can spend an hour or two going through a self help kick, but being able to actually check and revise your calendar on a routine basis is a skill most of us lack.
• Engage - Start doing the tasks! Words without action are meaningless.

Overall, this book will help you if you need a way to organize your life without having to listen to all the typical self-help jargon that many of these books on procrastination have.

#2 - Dopamine Detox: A Short Guide to Remove Distractions and Get Your Brain to Do Hard Things

Do you feel like your goals (and even everyday tasks) feel more like a burden than an excitement? Do you dedicate time to get work done only to spend the majority of it on your phone, or looking at other distractions?

Then Dopamine Detox is a great choice. The thesis of the book is that we live in a fast-paced, technological world with more distractions than ever. While work used to mean sitting down at a quiet desk, there’s now a million other things that can grab our attention.

Thus, we need a dopamine detox. What is dopamine? It’s the chemical in your brain that rewards you for getting tasks done. With so many flashing screens, random tasks, and other distractions, our dopamine receptors are always being overstimulated to the point where sitting down and doing nothing feels just as rewarding as completing a meaningful task. The solution? “Detox” your brain by getting rid of these distractions. Read the book to find out how!

#3- Atomic Habits

This list would not be complete without the productivity magnum opus that’s sold over a million copies: Atomic Habits . This is the procrastination book that all others look up to. It’s got everything: practical tips, science, personal advice, graphs, charts, interesting anecdotes, and more!

It’s especially great for people with ADHD or depression, because it doesn’t try to be preachy about being as productive as possible. The book emphasizes that being productive starts with putting your well being first.

This is a perfect choice if you’re looking for a little bit of everything. It’s especially helpful if you want a mixture of “self-help” style advice and practical tips. Moreover, the book gives a variety of explanations for beating procrastination, so you can choose what routine works for you.

#4 - Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less

We promise that this book does not recommend the actual consumption of frogs (or any amphibians for that matter). Eating a frog is a metaphor for that one terrible task you don’t want to do. It’s the nastiest, worst thing you want to avoid.

The advice of the book? Eat the frog first thing in the morning. Once you’ve done that, the rest of the day gets easier.

Author Brian Tracy is a prolific author for all things self-help and productivity. He’s got a really good voice and everything he writes is always engaging. Eat That Frog! is no exception. The wording is simple and easy to read. It’s a fantastic option for something you can easily review or give to someone young.

The book doesn’t have any cheap gimmicks or magic tricks. Instead, it offers practical advice in a similar step-by-step fashion as   The Procrastination Cure. It’s a must-have to change your mindset and deal with unpleasant tasks.

#5 - The More You Do The Better You Feel: How to Overcome Procrastination and Live a Happier Life

Author David Parker believes that some of us are human ostriches: we stick our head in the sand at unpleasant tasks and avoid anything we don’t like doing. According to the book, the negative consequences of this behavior can quickly snowball into a mess where every part of your life is cluttered and disorganized.

Parker recognizes this, and goes on to discuss 25 characteristics that all “human ostriches” share. He then builds on these characteristics to describe how to beat procrastination once and for all, and take back the organization of your life.

Parker’s masterpiece is a perfect option if you’re feeling down, and you need a total mindset makeover in addition to some great advice for stopping procrastination in its steps.

#6 - The Perfectionism Workbook: Proven Strategies to End Procrastination, Accept Yourself, and Achieve Your Goals

Do you struggle with procrastination because you don’t want to do any part of your task wrong? Do you think to yourself “I can’t start because I’ll probably fail right at the beginning?” Would you consider yourself to be a perfectionist?

This is the book for you. The Perfectionism Workbook gives you real life exercises you can actively practice to stop being a perfectionist and start accepting yourself and accomplishments. The book also features:

• A list of unhealthy habits that perfectionists frequently have, and how to get rid of them.
• Stories from former perfectionists and real people who have been in your shoes.
• A broad look at perfectionism, why we do it, and how it’s toxic.

#7 - Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior

This is an interesting read because the topics are more of what’s seen in a “self-help” style book instead of specifically on procrastination. Yet, we had to include it on this list because of the practical nature of the writing: it details more than 40 ways people engage in self-defeating before and goes over methods for dealing with all of them.

This is the perfect book for you if your procrastination is a symptom of a greater problem. Maybe you are going through a mental rut, don’t like your position at work or in life, or you simply can’t seem to focus on what’s important. Whatever it may be, this book has real answers; practical tips that actually describe how to change your behavior.

#8 - Stop Procrastinating: A Simple Guide to Hacking Laziness, Building Self Discipline, and Overcoming Procrastination

If we could describe this book in two words, they would be: science & strategy. Not only does Stop Procrastinating detail the science of willpower and research behind procrastination; it also gives you actionable tips on how to improve.

Overall, this is a great book if you need that “awareness adjustment” but don’t like the spacey, vague nonsense that even the best books on procrastination preach.

#9 - The Procrastination Cure: 21 Proven Tactics For Conquering Your Inner Procrastinator, Mastering Your Time, And Boosting Your Productivity!

In this masterpiece study of procrastination, author Damon Zahariades presents a holistic depiction of what procrastination really is. Of all the books on procrastination you can read, this one is probably the most well researched.

The book includes:

• A detailed breakdown of all the reasons people procrastinate, and how to go about solving them.
• The productivity habits of famous writers, from Mark Twain to Victor Hugo.
• A formula for prioritizing tasks in a way that’s relevant to you.
• Advice for stomping out your inner critic and being productive.
• 21 clear steps for beating procrastination.

#10 - Procrastination: Why You Do It, What to Do About It Now

Authored by two psychologists, this book is about as close as you can get to an academic study without reading a scientific journal. Moreover, it’s witty, humorous, and gives great advice. This book is consistently rated highly by book critics and everyday readers alike.

The book reframes procrastination as a psychological response rather than simply being “lazy”. On the other hand, it’s not too scientific; the advice is clear and consistent. Like the subtitle, the book refrains from any filler and gets straight to the point.

We hope that you’ll enjoy reading any of these ten best books on procrastination procrastination tips. They’re all the best in their topic, and that’s really saying something. There are thousands of works that can be called a “procrastination book”, and these are only the very best. We hope you choose one that’s relevant to your specific needs and issues with the subject. Good luck!

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Books About Procrastination – 12 Picks To Read Now Instead Of Later

by Andrew Green | Jun 23, 2021

Are you a procrastinator? Do you put things off, but find yourself wishing you hadn’t? If you’ve struggled with this, you’re not alone. There are many of us out there who struggle with procrastination, which is why the subject has been delved into so thoroughly in so many books.

Reading books about procrastination is one of the best ways to gain self-discipline and have a more meaningful life. There are many options out there, though, so we di the research to bring you the very best books about procrastination that can help you stop procrastinating and gain a healthy relationship with time and tasks. Many of these books are sold on Amazon, as a free PDF online, and at major stores like Barnes & Noble, making them easily accessible.

So, what are the best books about procrastination? We can look later… just kidding, let’s get started!

Top Books About Procrastination

By reading these procrastination books, you’ll be able to beat procrastination and learn practical tips on how to create good habits. Whether you want to gain self-control, have better time management , learn more about the willpower instinct, or increase self-compassion, the books below will help you reach those goals and take control of your own life!

By reading about personal experiences, ways to reduce procrastination, and external motivators , you’ll be able to increase productivity and find a procrastination tactic that works for you.

Eat That Frog

Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy is a procrastination book that gives readers 21 great ways to get more things done in less time. One of the most popular procrastination tendencies is to avoid difficult tasks and deep work so that we can focus on easier tasks. However, in Eat That Frog, the author urges readers to do their most important task first. Then, the rest of the to-do list won’t seem so difficult.

Hacking laziness is all about eating that frog. In simpler terms, this book approaches procrastination by focusing on ways to stop postponing difficult tasks. By doing your most difficult task in a timely matter, you’ll be able to solve your procrastination problem and stop feeling guilty about the way you procrastinate.

The Now Habit

The Now Habit by Neil Fiore is a great book that acts as a concise guide for overcoming procrastination and enjoying free time without anxiety or guilt. If you want to stop putting things off and gain new habits that allow you to have more free time, The Now Habit is the best book for you.

Author Neil Fiore is known for giving good advice about how to complete things in a timely manner and live a real life without guilt. Although most people feel worse after procrastination, this book offers helpful tools on how to enjoy life while stopping procrastination.

The Procrastination Equation

In The Procrastination Equation, the author Piers Steel sets readers up for success by teaching them how to stop putting things off and start getting things done (the GTD system). Based on personal experience, biology, self-help tools, and psychology, Steel provides a strategic program to help readers eradicate bad habits and gain a new approach toward working.

This concise guide is all about creating habits that will foster self discipline and help you overcome procrastination. By reading what Piers Steel has to say about procrastination, you’ll be able to stop procrastinating and get more important things done.

Stop Procrastinating

Stop Procrastinating by Nils Salzgeber is one of the best nonfiction books and procrastination books out there. The main part of overcoming procrastination is overcoming laziness, self criticism, and anxiety. Luckily, Sazgeber’s entire approach rests upon these points.

Nils Salzgeber teaches readers how to stop procrastinating by explaining why people procrastinate, why it’s not their fault, and how low self-esteem is one of the biggest factors. Based on science and psychology, Stop Procrastinating is one of the best books to read if you want to understand the science of both procrastination and success.

The Procrastination Cure

In The Procrastination Cure, author Damon Zahariades provides readers 21 proven tactics to stop procrastination and make productivity a new habit. By reading this book, you’ll learn how to create a to-do list that’s geared toward success, how to no longer feel bad about procrastination, and how to create a reward system that inspires you to take action.

Ultimately, the main point of this popular guide is to get readers to understand and overcome procrastination.

The Science of Overcoming Procrastination

The Science of Overcoming Procrastination by Patrick King is one of the most popular books on procrastination. In this, King teaches readers how to take action quickly and think more clearly so that they can eradicate their tendency to procrastinate.

This is one of the best books for readers who want to stop being lazy and get more things done throughout the day. Like other great books about procrastination, The Science of Overcoming Procrastination ties together theories about self discipline, motivation, productivity, and output. In turn, King teaches readers what causes procrastination and how they can overcome it to live a more meaningful life.

How to Stop Procrastinating

How to Stop Procrastinating by S.J. Scott is one of the most popular books on procrastination. In this, Scott talks about the procrastination puzzle and explains why the hesitation to master difficult tasks is often at the root of procrastination. If you want to beat perfectionism and beat procrastination, this is one of the best books for you!

Procrastinate on Purpose

In Procrastinate on Purpose, Rory Vaden gives readers five permissions that are proven to help multiply time:

• Consolidate
• Procrastinate

By doing these five things, you’ll be able to prioritize the most important tasks and live a more productive life overall. By using this POP system, you’ll be able to complete more urgent tasks in less time.

23 Anti-Procrastination Habits

23 Anti-Procrastination Habits by S.J. Scott is one of the best books for readers who want to stop procrastinating and cut lazy habits out of their lives. According to Scott, the key to living a more productive life is to develop an anti-procrastination mindset. This mindset will help you avoid being overwhelmed by a large number of tasks.

More importantly, this anti-procrastination mindset will help you get immediate results by making successful habits a part of your life. More specifically, making those successful habits a part of your daily routine will get rid of procrastination in no time.

Do the Work

Do the Work by Steven Pressfield is all about overcoming resistance and getting out of your own way. If you want to stop hesitating, dwelling, and procrastinating, this is one of the best books on procrastination for you!

In this, Steven Pressfield exposes the most common reasons that we turn to perfectionism. It turns out that having better, perfect ideas is not the key to success, it’s actually just executing your projects instead of putting them off.

Solving the Procrastination Puzzle

Solving the Procrastination Puzzle by Timothy A. Pychyl is a concise guide about strategies for change. By reading this book, you’ll learn more about why you self-sabotage and procrastinate.

By combining psychological research and self-help, Pychyl helps readers discover the root of their hesitation and procrastination. In turn, he lets them break free from self-destructive habits and lean into more productive ways of life.

The More You Do The Better You Feel

The More You Do The Better You Feel by David Parker is a practical guide about overcoming procrastination and living a happier life. This informative book brings awareness to habitual procrastinating and lazy behavior patterns. By recognizing the root of our procrastination, we can stop falling victim to the downward cycle and start mobilizing into a more productive life.

Final Thoughts: Books about Procrastination

The books on procrastination above all offer great tactics that will help you get to work and stop procrastinating. Whether you want to learn about the mechanics behind procrastination or the psychology behind self-sabotaging, all of these procrastination books are great places to start.

Andrew Green

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There are many reasons why we might procrastinate. Events can push our anxiety levels up, we might lack the motivation, or it could just be that we are mentally drained. Whatever the reason is, a lot of people resort to this as a way to avoid tackling difficult tasks that they have on their plate. But why do we procrastinate? What is the impact of this behavior? Furthermore, I will be suggesting the best books on procrastination that can improve your habit of procrastination.

What Is Procrastination?

Table of Contents

The first thing to understand is that there are two types of procrastination: active and passive. Active procrastination involves an action (what you’re reading these words about), whereas passive procrastination involves a thought. The thought “I really should get started on this article” is passive, while the action “I’m just going to doze off for another half hour” is active. If you’re intent on procrastinating, chances are you’ve caused yourself pain by not doing what you have set out to do. Procrastination robs us of so much time; it can mean working late and missing out on family time, while at the same time, it can mean not getting important tasks over with.

The Best Books On Procrastination

Fortunately, there are a lot of great books available to combat this discouraging habit.

Here is my top selection of best books on procrastination for 2021:

1. Getting Things Done by David Allen

Instead of focusing on the negatives and what you should be doing, Allen focuses on what you’re doing well in this book. Focusing on your strengths can make you feel a lot better about yourself, which can result in less procrastination. This book is a comprehensive, life-changing guide that provides advice that helps you deal with everyday issues such as time management. Although this book takes a lot of hard work and dedication to learn, the rewards are worth it.

In Getting Things Done , Allen notes that people who are getting a lot done and busy with important tasks are often not doing the best they can. This is because they are not making time for the right things. He recommends creating a “To-Do List” so that it’s easier to get through them all when you feel overwhelmed with too many things to do. After you make your list, Allen recommends going through it and doing everything simple and easy. Then, take on the bigger projects and tasks but not just in one sitting. Instead, he recommends breaking them down into smaller, more achievable tasks, so they can be done faster.

If you are procrastinating on a task that will take a lot of time, he suggests reviewing your schedule to see if the task can be delegated or delegated to someone else. This way, you eliminate all the needless distractions that could come up during this time.

Aside from time management, getting things done also helps you build a strong foundation for the rest of your life. Allen believes that “time is plentiful” and that you can improve how you use it by using the five-second rule. For example, if you find yourself waiting for things to happen, you shouldn’t remind yourself that every action requires a decision. This suggests how it will be more efficient to do certain tasks that may be put off in the future.

2. The Now Habit by Neil Fiore

It is important to understand that we don’t procrastinate because we are lazy; instead, procrastination is the symptom of a deeper problem. If you’re not sure how to deal with this behavior, Fiore’s book offers information on getting started. This includes using strategies like “the one-page plan” and “the two-minute rule.

The Now Habit is a motivational self-help book that looks at how we can improve how we live. For example, if you’re not using your time well, The Now Habit outlines a step-by-step journey to change this. The chapter on time management focuses on providing strategies to help you use your time more efficiently. This includes following the “one-page plan,” a strategy used by Fiore’s other book, called the Life Saver Principle, which will help you develop a simple way of managing your time.

The next strategy is the “two-minute rule,” which states that if you have wanted to do it for longer than two minutes, just do it. Again, this will help you stay on track and get what needs to get done.

Within his book, Fiore also outlines different strategies such as “the three-second rule,” which focuses on focusing on the present moment. He notes that this is dangerous, especially for those who are struggling with procrastination. The last chapter explores the “chunk your big, messy tasks into more manageable ones” and the “two-switch rule” designed to help you control your emotions to get over issues that you might be procrastinating on.

Fiore believes that we can’t be productive without being organized, and he provides a plan on how to do this. He emphasizes that you cannot be productive unless you are in control of yourself and how you spend your time. Fiore highlights the importance of listing out activities in a specific manner and organizing them so that they are easier to do.

3. The ONE Thing by Gary Keller

Keller describes the steps involved in being “do-able,” which can help individuals avoid procrastination. First, he encourages readers to stop multitasking and focus on one thing at a time. The second step involves finding the right people to work with you to create the best product. Finally, Keller emphasizes that you should always be prepared for changes. You should also use your time wisely and get the task done while focusing on doing one thing at a time.

To help people make their priorities clear, Keller uses the “ONE Thing” (which stands for one-page outline) in his book . This is a concise plan that allows you to see the big picture of what needs to be done. It also helps you figure out how to get it all done by breaking down tasks into smaller steps and writing each piece of work on one page.

Keller’s final chapter explores whether busy people can achieve success while being less stressed and having more free time. This chapter also shows you how to manage your time effectively to use it to your advantage, rather than being a source of stress.

Keller recommends that people make their goals concrete and specific so they can be more organized. For instance, instead of saying that you will start working on your novel, say that you will write 500 words every day. In addition to this, he suggests scheduling time each day and set a timer for ten minutes. When the timer goes off, you should get everything was done that needs to be done.

Lastly, Keller notes that you can read your emails, listen to voicemails or other messages only once a day. Therefore, you should put off reading, listening, or responding to something until later in the day so that you can get it done sooner.

4. Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday

Holiday gives a number of behavioral suggestions that you can use to help you break the habit of procrastination. He notes that you should set aside time each day to make progress toward your goals. You can either write them down or commit them to memory to prioritize them and keep them in mind when making decisions. You should also stick to your plans, don’t get distracted, and try not to schedule your tasks, which will only make things harder for you later.

Holiday also recommends in the Daily Stoic that you adopt a new morning routine to have more time to handle your important tasks. While your morning is the most important part of your day, he says that it is also when most people waste the most time. One of his suggestions is to do a meditation every morning for ten minutes, regardless of what else you have going on. Another suggestion is to meditate before bedtime so that you can be active and productive throughout the day.

Holiday maintains that procrastination is a “form of self-sabotage” and that you need to overcome this feeling. He uses the analogy of a large ship in the ocean, noting that it has very little steering power while near the dock, but once it gets out into open water, it can’t be turned around without great effort.

Lastly, Holiday notes that you should spend a few minutes each day on a “premeditation” routine. You can write down what you’re grateful for, think about your goals, and visualize what it will be like when you achieve them. He notes that one often becomes tripped up because life is not as good as they imagined it would be when they achieved their dreams. To avoid this, he suggests that you imagine how bad things would have to get before you would give up on your dreams.

5. Atomic Habits by James Clear

If you have ever thought about the fact that small habits control your life, then this book is for you. The author’s main focus is habit change. Thus making sure that we can stay in control of our lives and help our brains make better decisions.

Clear explains how to develop meaningful and good habits. He provides some useful tools and advice to improve your daily life. As a result, you can achieve remarkable changes in just 14 days . The author notes that you need to decide what works for you and stick to it. Instead of thinking about small details, Clear recommends that you focus on the big picture and stick to your routine.

Clear mentions the fact that procrastination comes from a lack of discipline and busy life. He notes that whatever method you choose, make sure it works for you. So you can make small but consistent progress toward your goals every day.

He also states that many people use the term “procrastinate” to refer to their mistakes or poor decisions. Instead, the author recommends that you use the term “delay” to refer to your mistakes or poor decisions.

Clear believes that self-discipline is the key to change in any habit. You need to keep an eye on your habits and follow them to make them work for you. If you stick with a habit, it will become automatic. Therefore, it becomes more difficult for you not to do things. According to Clear, you need to follow a routine and have a system in place to stick with your plan.

Clear believes that people can change their habits by changing the surrounding environments. He notes that many people cannot get things done. This is because of an environment that is not rewarding or where there are too many distractions. These environments are often examples of bad habits, which are hard to break. However, Clear states that you should focus on improving these environments. In order to have the motivation and determination for change within yourself.

Many people have problems with procrastination, which is the main reason they can’t reach their goals. Therefore, it’s important that you look into stopping procrastination in the most effective way possible. We have provided you with the best books for procrastination, tips, and advice to help you overcome this behavior.

To change your habits, you need to find a method that works for you and sticks with it. The methods we mentioned here are suggested by some of the best experts in the business. They have helped many people discover what makes them feel more productive.

Let us know what worked for you in the comments below.

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Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Organization > Five pieces of procrastination advice (to read instead of getting to work)

Five pieces of procrastination advice (to read instead of getting to work)

The hardest part of any task is getting started. If you have trouble starting tasks, you aren’t alone. Humans are hardwired to procrastinate, and we all fall victim to bad habits. Learn the root cause of why you procrastinate and what mental tools you need to claw out of the doldrums and do that thing you’re avoiding.

Why you procrastinate so much

Many associate procrastination with a time management problem; in actuality, procrastination is more accurately an emotional management problem. We put off tasks against our better judgement because something about the task creates uncomfortable feelings such as boredom, self-doubt, anxiety, or shame. Ironically, after we put off the task, we feel guilty and add more uncomfortable emotions onto the growing pile.

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Humanity evolved to prioritize short-term needs over long-term needs. It may have worked well in the caveman days when surviving one day at a time made sense, but it’s problematic now. When you procrastinate, you satisfy your short-term desire to avoid uncomfortable emotions in the moment without addressing the negative emotions you’ll experience in a few days when you don’t turn in an assignment.

As an example, you may avoid your math homework because you’re insecure that you don’t understand algebra as well as the other students. Intellectually, you know that doing your homework will help you understand the subject better, but you still put it off to dodge the short-term distress of feeling insecure in your abilities. The key to stopping this cycle lies in practicing self-compassion and changing your negative emotions into positive ones. Show kindness to yourself by affirming that it’s okay not to understand algebra right away, and tons of other students are in the same boat. Incentivize yourself to face something you don’t want to face with a reward. Turn those negative emotions around so you feel less anxiety about the task. The trick to staving off procrastination is not new time management skills but rewiring negative feelings surrounding short term assignments.

Follow these five pieces of procrastination advice to keep yourself on track.

1. “Routine will take you further than willpower.” – Shane Parrish

If you’re avoiding an unpleasant ongoing task like cleaning your cat’s litterbox, integrate this task into your day-to-day routine. Humans are creatures of habit and thrive off routines. When you change work into a habit, the work seems less of a stressful chore and more of a cozy activity you barely give much thought to.

For example, brushing your teeth every morning is part of your daily routine—you never stress about doing it. In fact, you’d feel uncomfortable if you didn’t. If you designate a certain time of the day or week to do the work you’re avoiding, the task won’t feel as stressful, and you’ll be less likely to put it off. In the case of cleaning a litterbox, commit to cleaning the litter box every time you feed your cat breakfast. Eventually, the chore of cleaning up smelly cat litter will become a habit you just do in the mornings without associating negative emotions with it.

2. “As long as you are taking action, you should reward yourself to feel good and help yourself stay on track.” – Shawn Lim

Reward yourself with something bigger and better than your procrastination vice. Our brains constantly seek relative rewards, especially when weighing tasks. We reward ourselves when we put off something we don’t want to do with dodging negative emotions. But what if a bigger, better, offer came along? What if when you complete your task, you reward yourself with a fresh cup of coffee? Or a walk around the block? Or pre-order that new game? Suddenly, you out-weigh the negative emotions surrounding the task with a positive reward. Quick word of caution: don’t pick a reward that could distract you further if you have other tasks to complete, such a playing a game or browsing social media.

3. “Procrastination is not laziness…It is fear. Call it by its right name and forgive yourself.” – Julia Cameron

Practice self-compassion to boost motivation, decrease stress, and nurture positive emotions. Self-compassion is when we treat ourselves with kindness when facing mistakes or failures. Studies show procrastinators have high-stress and low self-compassion, and that when we let ourselves experience regret and anxiety over procrastinating, we are more likely to procrastinate again. People who practice self-compassion are more likely to get the work done after procrastinating. So long story short: don’t beat yourself up so much.

4. “Procrasdemon is fighting hard to feed off of distractions and pleasures.” – Neeraj Agnihotri

In his book about procrastination, Neeraj Agnihotri named procrastination the procrasdemon, and likens it to a demon that distracts you and wastes your time. Identify what distracts you from completing a task and make those temptations less convenient. If social media pulls you away from your work, close those tabs and silence your phone. If loud noises in a crowded café constantly break your focus, work in a quiet office or library instead. Placing obstacles in the way of your procrastination vices make them less appealing.

5. “Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.” – Benjamin Franklin

Productive people often share a common trait: they start their day with their most difficult task. When you tackle your least-desired task first, you address it with a fresh mind, and you also get it over with so you can enjoy the rest of your day without it looming over your head. What’s more, you may find it wasn’t as bad as you initially thought. Get the task over with and don’t give your mind the opportunity to make a mountain out of a molehill.

Do the thing

You’ve distracted yourself enough with this article, you’ve identified why you procrastinate, and picked up tools to manage those habits. Now apply what you’ve learned and go do that thing you’ve put off for so long. Listen to your good friend, Ben, and never put off till tomorrow which you can do today.

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