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· 3,397 ratings · 221 reviews

Start your review of The Procrastination Equation: How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Stuff Done

Oct 14, 2010 Dave rated it it was ok

Would like to get to this book eventually....

Oh my God do I need this book. I actually put off buying this book for a couple of weeks after seeing it in our local indie bookstore, and finally bit the bullet and bought it yesterday. Finished it today, proving one of the authors points--that we tend to dive into things that are relevant and of value to us. Once I got the book, I found it relevant and of value. The first six chapters of the book are all about the science behind the study of procrastination. It ISN'T about perfectionism--it ha Oh my God do I need this book. I actually put off buying this book for a couple of weeks after seeing it in our local indie bookstore, and finally bit the bullet and bought it yesterday. Finished it today, proving one of the authors points--that we tend to dive into things that are relevant and of value to us. Once I got the book, I found it relevant and of value. The first six chapters of the book are all about the science behind the study of procrastination. It ISN'T about perfectionism--it has a lot more to do with impulsiveness. Makes sense to me. Dr. Steel takes a lot of heady psychological stuff and makes it downright funny. Great writer, and I'm sure, if I had been fortunate enough to take a class from him at University of Calgary, where he teaches, he would be a terrific lecturer. He writes the book as if he were talking to you. Wonderful.

And it definitely has its "self improvement" points. But they're backed up by his years of research, so he's not just pulling his suggestions out of his butt. I loved this book. Now, I just need to get around to putting it into practice . . .

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Sep 04, 2012 Piers Steel rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

With over 90% of "Good Reads" readers giving it a positive rating, it looks like I did well and, it being in the self-help category, I did good too. The ones who like it best turns out to be someone who is educated or at least appreciates that everything is scientifically backed, likes a wry sense of humour, and really wants to do something about their procrastination. They also don't hold my constructed characters, a vehicle to illustrate some techniques, to too high a literary standard; still, With over 90% of "Good Reads" readers giving it a positive rating, it looks like I did well and, it being in the self-help category, I did good too. The ones who like it best turns out to be someone who is educated or at least appreciates that everything is scientifically backed, likes a wry sense of humour, and really wants to do something about their procrastination. They also don't hold my constructed characters, a vehicle to illustrate some techniques, to too high a literary standard; still, they do seem to suffice. And if I could change anything about the book, it would be the author's note at the beginning where I try to establish my credentials and background. To some readers, it comes across as excessively self-promoting. Sorry for that; I was going for credibility.

Thank you everyone for the thanks you have given me. Among the best thing I get from writing this book are the emails where people share with me how it has affected their lives. It is a nice way to start any day.

PS. Probably flirting with credibility/self-promotion issue again but just got the George A Miller award for the book's research, the top award in all of psychology.

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As self-help books go, this was very scientifically documented in the "why" and "how" procrastination happens, yet loosely structured enough in the "what to do" sections to make it flexible and approachable. As a veteran procrastinator, I'd say this will be very helpful to organizations and to individuals needing to get better at getting things done.

Satisfying my "red spine book" February reading challenge.

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I'll Review This later. I'll Review This later. ...more

May 25, 2011 Sarah rated it liked it

So what does it say about me that I started this book and had to return it to the library before I got to chapter 3?

Okay, I finally finished this book. I think it helped that I listened to it. I really did like it, but I can't say it offered anything new or useful to me. Mostly it was a good reminder and motivator to procrastinate less. I like self help books and how they get me to reflect on how things are going.

I must say, I don't think I really cared for the author's style all that much. He s

So what does it say about me that I started this book and had to return it to the library before I got to chapter 3?

I must say, I don't think I really cared for the author's style all that much. He seemed too intent on keeping me entertained. He also seemed to have a few agendas he wanted to squeeze in - like global warming - so be warned if you are sensitive to that sort of talk.

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I really need to curb off my habitual procrastination. And I thought this book would do it for me. How wrong I was.

It starts off well by explaining what causes procrastination in psychological and evolutionary terms and I am glad to have gained that knowledge. The tendency that saved us ages ago has become risky in the modern world where we continuously need to control our urges and think on a long-term basis. Then there were a few chapters putting down the negative impact of procrastination on

I really need to curb off my habitual procrastination. And I thought this book would do it for me. How wrong I was.

But it doesn't end there, The main reason I picked up this book was to be able to put an end to procrastination and that's where this book fails. Instead of recommending behavioral changes or concrete, specific steps to stop procrastination, it offers vague action plans, trusting the reader to follow through with them with no difficulties. That's the whole point of procrastination - we have difficulty doing things that need to be done, so how can the author, who seems to have a deep understanding of the subject, leave us to follow such non-specific instructions and magically end it all? And ironically, I put off completing this book and didn't read the entire thing.

In short, I was (very) impressed by the theoretical explanations offered but gravely disappointed in the practical knowledge I so hoped this book to offer.

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Hello, my name is Liesl, and I am a procrastinator. There I said it! I've been in denial for years. But it's true. I procrastinate, right along with 99% of the rest of the world. This book was interesting and helpful. I like the scientific explanations for why we procrastinate. It shed light on my own habits, made me more self-aware. He also give some great tips about how we can beat our procrastinating habits. I've been implementing many of his recommendations and am finding them very helpful. Hello, my name is Liesl, and I am a procrastinator. There I said it! I've been in denial for years. But it's true. I procrastinate, right along with 99% of the rest of the world. This book was interesting and helpful. I like the scientific explanations for why we procrastinate. It shed light on my own habits, made me more self-aware. He also give some great tips about how we can beat our procrastinating habits. I've been implementing many of his recommendations and am finding them very helpful. ...more

Very good. Seriously, halfway through reading this book I had a crazy burst of productivity. The action chapters are great, the science/history chapters somewhat less interesting, especially when you are reading the book to seek help!

I picked this up with high expectations because Dan Ariely gave it a positive review. The key ideas are worthwhile, but Steel's laboured explanations are tedious and his tone is sometimes irritatingly smug. The studies in the references sound interesting, but sadly, they're barely glossed over in the book. I picked this up with high expectations because Dan Ariely gave it a positive review. The key ideas are worthwhile, but Steel's laboured explanations are tedious and his tone is sometimes irritatingly smug. The studies in the references sound interesting, but sadly, they're barely glossed over in the book. ...more

Dec 13, 2016 Azita Rassi rated it really liked it

I listened to the audiobook. The performance is engaging, the concepts are explained thoroughly with good examples, and the offered techniques seem to be useful and practical. Ask me in a month :-)

Oct 16, 2019 Tomungo X rated it it was amazing

Very cool concepts on how to stop procrastination and why we procrastination. The methods are cool because we are all slowed down by the procrastination. Once one masters to control its methods then productivity increases and goals are met.

Jun 11, 2014 Marshall rated it really liked it

Fabulous book on the psychology of procrastination, and tips for how to overcome it. This book explores how we're hard-wired to procrastinate, ways modern society exacerbates the problem, and the economic costs of it.

I was worried the "equation" part of it would prove to be a pseudoscientific attempt to make it sound like he's quantified procrastination. I was pleasantly surprised that it is merely a helpful tool for understanding motivation:

Expectancy x Value
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Impulsiveness x

Expectancy x Value
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Impulsiveness x Delay

Those four components together determine how likely we will be to act on something. Understanding this means that you can increase motivation for desired behaviors and decrease motivation for undesired behaviors by tweaking each of the variables. The rest of the book explores each of them in detail, with ideas for how each can be tweaked.

The only thing I don't like about this book is that the writing is incredibly cheesy. It often reads like those lame training videos employees are forced to watch: "Meet Tom. Tom has trouble with procrastination. Time-sensitive Tom can avoid procrastinating by ..." That's silly. Drop the lifeless characters with generic names and just say what you want to say. This was forgivable until the end, when he rewards the reader with a sequel to these characters' stories, complete with their sexual escapades. Please.

Seriously though, read this book if you struggle with procrastination. There's no better book for it.

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Sep 17, 2013 Wanda rated it really liked it

I was interested to learn that even pigeons and chimpanzees procrastinate. Somehow that makes me feel better, that I share this tendency with the entire animal kingdom.

The author also points out that nobody procrastinates in every facet of their life. There is always something that we do promptly and regularly without agonizing about it.

For me there are two factors: value and impulsiveness. I procrastinate about the things that I don't really value (e.g. housework). And I did learn a technique

I was interested to learn that even pigeons and chimpanzees procrastinate. Somehow that makes me feel better, that I share this tendency with the entire animal kingdom.

The author also points out that nobody procrastinates in every facet of their life. There is always something that we do promptly and regularly without agonizing about it.

For me there are two factors: value and impulsiveness. I procrastinate about the things that I don't really value (e.g. housework). And I did learn a technique to help with that--visualization of the condition that I would like to achieve. It really does motivate me to go make the necessary changes (I've done dishes 3 nights in a row at this point).

Re: impulsiveness, I know that I'm impulsive. I went into a store to buy chocolates for Christmas presents last December and emerged with chocolates AND a laptop. I am the mistress of quick decisions. Unfortunately, this means that I can be distracted from a less-than-riveting task quicker than you can say Squirrel.

On the plus side, at work I have concentration skills and motivation galore. I just need to take life outside work as seriously as life at work.

Was the book helpful? For me, yes. But as the author acknowledges, procrastinators may put off reading it or trying the techniques. Somehow, I think procrastination is with us for the long haul.

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Mar 31, 2011 Kate rated it really liked it

Having been personally shamed by the author into finishing the book, I upgraded my rating from three stars to four and my tagline from "less stupid than many self-help books" to "an intelligent self-help book." It gave me some good ideas, though I kept putting off finishing it for some reason. Ha! Procrastination joke! I recommended it to my shrink as a resource for people who want to read more about dealing with procrastination. I would read more books by the author.

Actually, I'd really like to

Actually, I'd really like to see what would happen if he collaborated with a shrink to write a book about the components of procrastination that are rooted in people's psychological issues with self care. What maybe made the book less relevant to me when I first took it up is the fact that my procrastination is fundamentally rooted in resentment of having to take care of myself in addition to my responsibility for taking care of others. That doesn't make the author's advice any less sensible, but it predisposed me to give up early on finishing it.

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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 o

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.

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Jun 17, 2019 Kym Jackson rated it really liked it

Pretty good overall. The example action lists at the end are good, but each chapter should be summarised in half a page of dot point actions to be taken (given it is a self help book after all). Also it is obviously written before smart phones and streaming television and would heavily benefit from some rewriting or an additional chapter talking about these distractions. The authors's hopes for tech to be the solution to procrastination were terribly misplaced in hindsight and an update to the b Pretty good overall. The example action lists at the end are good, but each chapter should be summarised in half a page of dot point actions to be taken (given it is a self help book after all). Also it is obviously written before smart phones and streaming television and would heavily benefit from some rewriting or an additional chapter talking about these distractions. The authors's hopes for tech to be the solution to procrastination were terribly misplaced in hindsight and an update to the book is required. Still, the core message of impulse control is very useful. Overall: recommended. ...more

Books keep talking about what is it like being Procrastinatior and what they do. Most of book is about that discussion only. Few solutions are there but doesn't look much practical. Only 10-20% of book seems worth reading. Rather skip book and read good summary from internet. Okay read. Books keep talking about what is it like being Procrastinatior and what they do. Most of book is about that discussion only. Few solutions are there but doesn't look much practical. Only 10-20% of book seems worth reading. Rather skip book and read good summary from internet. Okay read. ...more

Great productivity book

I consume productivity books. Most give a nugget of wisdom at best. But this book is the holy grail of figuring out why you aren't getting "it" done. Best part is you get evidence-based solutions with well summized action plans at the end of each section. This is my favorite book I've read this year!

Great productivity book

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Jan 16, 2021 Susanne rated it it was ok

I rushed through the 2nd half of this book. Too scientific, not practical enough for me. Maybe I just had wrong expectations for it

This has happened to me before (most notably with Dweck's "Mindsets"): I find it really hard to rate this book. The central concept of this book is 5-star--more useful than anything else I've read about procrastination. But I found the writing to be 1-star--tedious, especially once the central premise has been explained.

I recommend reading the first chapters--just enough to understand the "equation" and, perhaps, the evolutionary basis for it. Once you've got that down, though, the rest just ta

I recommend reading the first chapters--just enough to understand the "equation" and, perhaps, the evolutionary basis for it. Once you've got that down, though, the rest just takes up space. At least, it did for me.

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This book describes procrastination, exposes it's negative effects and then provides practical tips on how to control it. The quality of the writing matches the huge amount of research put into writing it. This book describes procrastination, exposes it's negative effects and then provides practical tips on how to control it. The quality of the writing matches the huge amount of research put into writing it. ...more

Apr 13, 2011 Elizabeth rated it really liked it

I loved this. This was by far my favorite book on this subject which is my largest personal challenge in life.

I have not researched any of his sources and the many studies the author cites, and I do not plan to, so I cannot vouch for the accuracy of his book in the sense of larger society or science. But he does reference a LOT of experts and studies in various fields including economics, sociology, psychology, biology and more. It appeared to me that this author was EXTREMELY well versed in th

I loved this. This was by far my favorite book on this subject which is my largest personal challenge in life.

But far more importantly, his version made PERFECT sense to me. It is the first one that just fit my own intuitions and allowed me to see myself in a new light. He debunks theories that I have always questioned, and he provides new approaches to understanding others which allow me to give them more credence than I had before.

I think I can really gain a lot in my life if I now put into practice the practical advice he gives as well. And even if I fail to make sweeping changes, I already feel a bit happier and more at peace with myself based on this new understanding. Thanks, Mr. Steel!

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Aug 14, 2013 Ivan Vuković rated it it was amazing

This could possibly be the best self-help book I've ever read.

What makes it so great is that it isn't just a self-help book, it's a rich journey through the efforts put into understanding procrastination as a part of human nature and the results of those efforts.

This is NOT your average The Guide to Perfect Life™ supported by "I promise this will help you", ancient mystical techniques or anecdotal evidence.

This... is science... and Steel's integrational and inter-disciplinary approach to this su

This could possibly be the best self-help book I've ever read.

This is NOT your average The Guide to Perfect Life™ supported by "I promise this will help you", ancient mystical techniques or anecdotal evidence.

This... is science... and Steel's integrational and inter-disciplinary approach to this subject did something I thought was impossible: It restored my faith (a little bit, at least) in social sciences!

With so much sloppy work in neuroscience, psychology, economics and social sciences in general, a systematic approach such as this one really shines, worthy of calling itself scientific.

Read it, the best time to do it is right now.

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Feb 01, 2015 Russ rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: Procrastinators everywhere!

It's embarrassing how long it took me to get through this book, especially given the title! It shows I started about a month ago, but it really was a couple times before that where I'd check out the book and then never get around to actually reading it. But it does have a lot of good insight and ideas on how to stop procrastination. But just like any habit it takes time to get out of the habit of procrastinating - continuing to find ways to do things NOW, in every aspect of your life definitely It's embarrassing how long it took me to get through this book, especially given the title! It shows I started about a month ago, but it really was a couple times before that where I'd check out the book and then never get around to actually reading it. But it does have a lot of good insight and ideas on how to stop procrastination. But just like any habit it takes time to get out of the habit of procrastinating - continuing to find ways to do things NOW, in every aspect of your life definitely helps. I think that making decisions to NOT do something can be powerful because otherwise it builds up the procrastination muscle - you're putting off the decision to do it or not do it. Just deciding one way or the other, even if it is deciding not to continue, is a great habit to instill in your life! ...more

Jul 20, 2012 Byron Wright rated it really liked it

This similar to another book that I recently read on willpower. However, I much preferred the style of this book. That said, my wife read about 20 pages and was bored to tears.

This book really grabbed me because the early chapters talk about the ways that we procrastinate and why. In the midst of these examples, I saw a few that described me exactly.

The end of the book focuses on ways to prevent procrastination. I'm sure you will have heard of every technique listed there. However, seeing them i

This similar to another book that I recently read on willpower. However, I much preferred the style of this book. That said, my wife read about 20 pages and was bored to tears.

This book really grabbed me because the early chapters talk about the ways that we procrastinate and why. In the midst of these examples, I saw a few that described me exactly.

The end of the book focuses on ways to prevent procrastination. I'm sure you will have heard of every technique listed there. However, seeing them in context might motivate you to implement them.

In the short term, I've successfully recognized my main reason for procrastination and I've gotten a bit better about it. Whether it holds long term, I don't know, but it won't be the book's fault if I don't follow through.

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Unsurprisingly, took me two tries over the span of 14 months to finish the book, which demonstrates the extent to which I need it!

This book is extremely helpful, and I highly recommend it to anyone who struggles with procrastination, dieting, saving money or any other behaviour that involves putting future needs ahead of present wants.

Where this book is extremely successful is in framing procrastination in a broader context of impulsivity, and attacking it that way. The first half of book offers

Unsurprisingly, took me two tries over the span of 14 months to finish the book, which demonstrates the extent to which I need it!

Where this book is extremely successful is in framing procrastination in a broader context of impulsivity, and attacking it that way. The first half of book offers a lot of insight into why we procrastinate, How We procrastinate, and just how common and ancient a tradition it is. The second half offers useful, applicable solutions laid out using concrete examples. Exceptional work, highly recommended.

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It's the time of year for soups, sautees, and stories! If you're looking for a palate cleansing non-fiction to listen to, this roundup has memoirs...

"The Personal Price of Procrastination WHAT WE MISS, WHAT WE LOSE, AND WHAT WE SUFFER" — 1 likes

"Materialism and consumerism are merely emergent properties of our neurobiology given free rein in a free market." — 1 likes

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