The Complete Idiot's Guide to Overcoming Procrastination

by Michelle Tullier

Experts describe procrastination as the number one reason behind poor time management, missed deadlines and failed careers. Readers are taught how to identify their own unproductive work patterns in all areas of their lives and to overcome them to improve their performance.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0028636376
• ISBN13: 9780028636375
• Release Date: December 1999
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam
• Length: 362 Pages
• Weight: 1.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.3" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

Broad yet deep and detailed, inspiring and concrete - awesome achievement

This is one of those 'idiot's' books that really shine and goes well-beyond being an idiot's book, despite being so easy to 'get' by anyone. This book is such an achievement and the author has done such a good job with what at first might seem like a simple topic. It could easily be called something else (something less potentially-embarrassing to be caught reading) like organising and structuring for real productivity or something such. Problem: Procrastination, Solution: Do the things you have to do, right? That's what everyone knows is the bottom line but for so many it isn't that simple and this book really offers the tools and information needed by sufferers. In this book, every aspect of the subject is explored, revealed and to a very satisfactory extent, solved: the psychology behind P is reviewed, solutions to causes presented, tips and hints and systems explored and explained... I really cannot imagine this book being written any better. You will be surprised how many of us actually procrastinate (to some extent or other), and how much help this book can be. The writer has a friendly tone, but is serious with her instruction/guidance: the way you imagine a great teacher or therapist should be. The usual' idiot's' things are there, the tit-bits of advice-in-a-box, the interesting/inspiring quotations and so forth - an easy read. Much of the information/advice in this book isn't just of use to me but I am already using it to help colleagues with their organisation, time management and productivity. Now, the only quesiton, is are you going to sit here reading reviews all day deciding whether or not to "buy this book, or that book, or maybe the other one, what was it called again?" or are you going to get on with it and do something about your issues RIGHT NOW?! Go for it! ;)

Relaxing and helpful

If you've read and enjoyed several books on organization, you don't need this book. I am quite a procrastinator, so I was suprised to find myself actually finishing the book recently. For years, people have tried to help me to get it together, and I've run into some real issues. No matter how many organizers you have, or ritalin you take, you don't get habits from nowhere. The book comes from someone who's had to go from disorganized procrastination, to organized enough to work from home without going bonkers. When I get stuck, I read a chapter, let go of the stress, and get something done. Books like this are best as gifts to yourself. Promise yourself that the only thing you have to do is read a few pages, maybe a chapter. Pass it onto a friend only if they're interested. (unless they have ADD.. in which case it's more of a survival handbook) my results were: You still wouldn't mistake my place for Martha Stewart's, but I can find things easily. I managed to get most of my money organized into the online banking, so I don't have to think about it nearly as much. My real priority when I first picked up this book was to not to be so frustrated so often, and I was regularly infuriated by my job.. I managed to get a few raises, then transfer into a much more responsible job just a few weeks before my wedding, without going batty.

Haven't read it yet.

Will get round to it sometime. Probably.

Intellectual Honesty + Elegant Suggestions = Potent Change!

After having given this book a thorough read, I have found it to be the most thoughtful and intellectually honest book I have ever read on the subject. This is because, instead of treating the problem of procrastination as a simple problem, deserving only a facile prescription to "make it all better," Dr. Tullier treats it as the mult-faceted, nuanced and often insidious problem that it can become--and pulls no punches in stating how serious it can be! In the process, she considers it as not only a psychological or self-management problem, but as one that can affect all too many areas of one's life balance.And her solutions are sincere, and not always easy, but elegant in their practical application. Her emphasis on organizing one's environment would seem so obvious, but as a person who suffers all too much from being disorganized, it has opened my eyes wide to see how it is inextricably connected to my procrastinating! I have used her "Stop. Look. Listen." formula and "Ten Surefire Strategies" several times now, and I am already finding that my ability to take actions immediately without hesitation or excuses has greatly increased.This wide treatment of the subject makes it the best book on the subject for virtually anybody wanting to end this bad set of habits, in my opinion.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Overcoming Procrastination

This is a wonderful little book written in a friendly, breezy style. The author, Dr. Michelle Tullier, confesses in a transparent way to her readers, her own struggle to get out of the procrastination habit.As an immigrant who came to America almost 40 years ago as a young adult, I have been noticing that the procrastination habit (and the rudeness habit) seems to be getting worse and worse in our society; I don't know why!Dr. Tullier's book is a wake-up call. She is right in calling procrastination an epidemic. Perhaps I am less of a procrastinator than the average, but I found the advice on dealing with procrastinators around you (especially bosses or spouses) to be very useful. The only small suggestion I have for future editions of this book is to make some mention of skills such as time management, speed reading, presentation skills, etc. and how to enhance them. They may not be directly related to procrastination, but it may help increase the confidence level of procrastinators and assist them in breaking their habit.My advice to readers: GO BUY IT! FOLLOW IT! IT'S GREAT!