The procrastination equation : how to stop putting things off and start… (alkuperäinen julkaisuvuosi 2010; vuoden 2011 painos)

This book is a great example of what an author does when he has a unique idea that can be succinctly explained in 10-20 pages but needs to multiply that by a factor of 10 to make money writing a book. Pretty high amount of fluff (chapters 5 and 6 especially seem like they were included just to fill pages). Lots of pop-sci style references that conflate informal surveys, or even myths, with real meta-analyses. Some explanations rely heavily on bunk evolutionary psychology.

If you're able to look over these downsides, I think that the core equation itself is a great mental model for investigating why you're putting off certain projects or tasks. If I were to come back and re-read this book, I would just read chapters 7-10, and I'd recommend first-time readers do the same thing. Indeed, even the author knows that this is where the meat of the book lies; he introduces the section with "the rest of the book is dedicated to actionable intelligence that puts putting off in its place."

3 stars because Steel wastes half the book with filler before getting to the good stuff. ( )

When I started, I thought it would be much more useful but I became rather disilluioned. The begining was "Why Are You A Procrastinator?". Answer is "You Are a Bad person.". Really, that was it. Can't set goals, too impulsive, no time management, easily distracted, lazy. Check, check, check. So, it was not easy to take his sections on how to beat procrastination in the light hearted, positive thinking, tone that he chose. The book just depressed me and made me think I will never get over my procrastination habits. The few tips that he had that I had tried had just made things worse. But, in the spirit of eternal optimism, I have another book on Solving Procrastination (from a reviewer here) on order at the library. Hope springs eternal.

The Procrastination Equation provides a scientific examination of procrastination. Most surprising: procrastination is not a symptom of perfectionism. Rather, it's related to one's impulsiveness. Or, at least, those are Steel's findings after years of research and study.

While you'll find a solid examination of the "why" with examples of procrastination types, you won't find the "how" as apparent. For example, there's only one chapter (out of ten) - "Making It Work" - that covers how to bring all the pieces together into an actionable method for change. Although, I see from its cover, the paperback edition contains a step-by-step workbook. So the paperback edition would probably be the more helpful format if you're looking for ways to implement the techniques covered throughout the book.

The first edition hardcover I read included quizzes to pinpoint one's profile on the equation.

Oh, and I quite appreciated Steel citing Georges St. Pierre as an example of a Success Spiral. :-)

So all in all, not your typical "self-help" book in that it's based heavily in research (with the data to back it up), and it provides a a thorough explanation of what procrastination is and why we procrastinate.

3 stars

If you're looking for a book that centers action over background and theory, check out Solving the Procrastination Puzzle. I read Solving... after this one and found it infinitely more helpful for implementation aka changing habits.

My random reading notes

proximity to temptation is one of deadliest detriments of procrastination (64)

cited GSP as example of Success Spiral
accomplishment creates confidence which creates effort resulting in more accomplishment (122)

theory and knowledge great and all but what most of us want are actionable steps to move theory into practice: Action Points

wish fulfillment Action Point mental contrasting a better vehicle (safe, reliable)

overconfidence & over optimism = unproductive (and feeds False Hope Syndrome)
Law of Attraction separates positive belief from action

instead of no procrastination think, I will start earlier

flip goals from avoidance to approach
from what you don't want to happen to what you desire

impulsiveness ( )

I picked up The Procrastination Equation by Piers Steel with an interest in reading about the apparent epidemic of procrastination in many areas of lives. It was an easy read, interesting information and scholarly based on his studies in the field. The information in this book will be useful for one of my sons that procrastinates and wastes many hours each day procrastinating. My son Isaiah is truly brilliant and I hope this material will help him out in some way. ( )

The subtitle is ‘How to stop putting things off and start getting things done’. The author has done research on the field, and acknowledges that he is as prone to putting things off as anyone.

In the first chapter he defines procrastination in a helpful way, saying what it is not as well as what it is. The second chapter has a short questionnaire to determine what kind of procrastination the reader is prone to, if any.

The rest of the book looks into what makes people procrastinate, relating to value, expectancy and time. It also looks at the physical makeup of our brains, and why people (particularly children) are prone to putting off important things even when they know they may regret it. Towards the end it gives suggestions for helping people to overcome procrastinating tendencies.

Overall I thought it very readable, written for non-academics but without any hint of talking down to lay people. I would recommend it highly to anyone interested in the topic... even though, rather ironically, it has taken me four days to get around to reviewing this after finishing it! ( )