The Procrastination Equation

How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Stuff Done

By: Piers Steel Ph.D.

Narrated by: Pete Larkin

Length: 7 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Using a mix of psychology, science, self-help, and a decade of groundbreaking research, Dr. Piers Steel, internationally recognized as the foremost authority on procrastination, explains why procrastination is dangerously on the rise and tells us how to overcome the destructive patterns that affect our health and happiness to create more positive lives.

If you think you are not one of the 95 percent of those of us who procrastinate, take Dr. Steel's test in The Procrastination Equation. Or if you think you procrastinate because you're a perfectionist, you're wrong. So, why do we surf the Web instead of finishing overdue projects? Why do we say we'll start that diet tomorrow? Why do we stay up late watching television instead of going to bed? And how do we overcome these bad habits that we know work against our best intentions? Based on more than a decade of research, and written with humor, humanity, and solid science, The Procrastination Equation explains why we do what we do or, in this case, don't, offering answers to such questions as:

• Are we biologically hardwired to procrastinate? If so, why?
• How does procrastination cost us?
• What tricks do we play on ourselves when we procrastinate at work, school, and home?
• If visualizing our dreams isn't enough to make them real, then what steps must we take?

Along the way, Dr. Steel dispels the myths and misunderstandings of motivation and procrastination, replacing them with a clear explanation of why we put off until tomorrow what we should be doing today. He then offers specific techniques we can use to tame and prevent the bad habits that adversely affect our health, happiness, and careers, all the while celebrating the very human foibles that make us who we are. The Procrastination Equation is the definitive and accessible guide for anyone who struggles with this age-old dilemma.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2011 Piers Steel (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers

Great book, annoying speaker.

I love the content of the book, but the speaker’s voice reminded me of a used car commercial and my brain kept associating his voice with the content of the book.

The book is great. Would love a different speaker.

Dated research, but comprehensive

In contrast to many other readers who thought there wasn’t enough practical advice in this book, I found the opposite. The book was *too full* of suggestions, so many that at a certain point I felt like I was listening to an obnoxious uncle who insists on his own personal wisdom, advice, and opinions. Regardless, taken at face value, it’s all sensible enough advice.

My bigger issue is with the use of very outdated psychology. He keeps talking about the “limbic system” as though it’s a real biological thing (instead of an abstraction inherited from very old scientific beliefs). The ideas still work, but it is grating to keep hearing him talk about it as though it’s a scientific fact.

Engaging and Enlightening

Just like you, I struggle with procrastinating. so I chose to use one of my credits to get an audio book to hopefully kick the habit.

After listening to a few samples and reading reviews, this seemed to be a good choice. I began listening immediately, and I could hardly "put it down."

It is well written, the narrator does a great job at bringing it to life, and the information is practical yet educational.

I have finished the book, and I think I am doing a better job at getting stuff done. Although, I am pretty sure I am procrastinating by writing this review. Enjoy!

Have yet to finish it…

Any additional comments?

Not the easiest book to listen too. Have downloaded and listen to 30 plus hrs. of other books since I got this one. I have come back to this for a while but unable to get through it even on cross country flights…

Good luck procrastinating after listening to this

I really enjoyed this book. Good luck trying to procrastinate after listening to this. I gained a lot of valuable knowledge and perspective. I really appreciate piers approach and presentation on the subject and his extremely insightful guidance

insights into procrastination, and how to beat it.

I learned a lot from this book. I highly recommend it. I'm already putting some of its suggestions to work.

as good as it gets

this book is about as good as a self help book can be. well written, well supported by science, memorable, and realistic in it's clams.

Useful - especially last few chapters

Good material. Narration was decent. I wanted to skip the first few chapters and get to the recommended solutions.

A mixed bag with few concrete techniques

The book was interesting, but I didn't come away with any sense that it would actually help me stop procrastinating. The author spends a lot of time telling you what an authority he is and how important his work has become. But he never delivers on that promise as far as I can tell.

He reviews the basic issues that affect procrastination--motivation, distractions, etc. and then develops an "equation" which he continuously mentions as though he can calculate some precise procrastination value for any situation. I found the approach odd because he inserts the "equation" throughout the book but it doesn't add to the discussion. I don't need pseudo-math to show me that if I am less motivated and more distracted I will procrastinate more.

I also didn't find many "aha moments" when listening. Insights such as "people who are impulsive are easily distracted and procrastinate more" are not exactly thunderbolts.

He does include some exercises at the end of each chapter, but I mostly forgot them as I listened into the next chapter.

It feels like he couldn't make up his mind whether to write a self-help book or an academic study.

I could recommend it to someone interested in the general behavior of procrastination, but not to someone who wants concrete examples and plans to help themselves be more productive.

Awesome Book!

Very modern and up to date information. I have listened to it 3 times now which I usually don't do with a book but I learned something new each time and the book is very entertaining also. I would say it helped me focus and realize some of the time wasters in my life. Highly recommended this book to anyone.