The Procrastinator's Guide to Getting Things Done

by Monica Ramirez Basco

Everyone waits till the last minute sometimes. But many procrastinators pay a significant price, from poor job performance to stress, financial problems, and relationship conflicts. Fortunately, just as anyone can endlessly delay, anyone can learn how to stop! Cognitive-behavioral therapy expert Monica Ramirez Basco shows exactly how in this motivating guide. Dr. Basco peppers the book with easy-to-relate-to examples from "recovering procrastinators"--including herself. Inviting quizzes, exercises, and practical suggestions help

*Understand why you procrastinate.

*Start with small changes that lead to big improvements.

*Outsmart your own delaying tactics.

*Counteract self-doubt and perfectionism.

*Build crucial skills for getting things done today .

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Productivity, Personal Development, American

178 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Monica Ramirez Basco is an internationally recognized expert in cognitive-behavioral therapy, a clinical psychologist, and a founding fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. She is on the Psychology faculty at the University of Texas at Arlington, with a secondary appointment in Psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Her books include the bestsellers Never Good Enough and The Bipolar Workbook.

Reviews

[Sara Kamjou · Rating 4 out of 5]

این کتاب برای افرادی مناسبه که زیاد کارهاشون رو به تاخیر می‌ندازن و به مشکل دقیقه نودی بودن دچارن!
با ارائه‌ی راهکارهای عملی، استفاده از مثال‌های متعدد و ساده‌سازی روند انجام کارها می‌تونه به افرادی که در سطح متوسط این مشکل رو دارن کمک کنه.
البته کسانی که شدیدا با این موضوع درگیرن بهتره به روانشناس مراجعه کنن چون احتمالا حتی خوندن و عمل کردن طبق این کتاب رو به تاخیر می‌ندازن! داشتن یه همراه و تسهیل‌گر می‌تونه بهتر به روند حل مشکل کمک کنه.

[Zahra Zarrinfar · Rating 4 out of 5]

حقیقتا این که از فروردین تا شهریور خوندن این کتاب طول کشید نشون دهنده‌ی اینه مخاطب واقعی کتابم.
اهمال‌کاری یک ویژگی شخصیتی نیست یک رفتار است که گاهی آن را انجام می‌دهیم و گاهی در آن افراط می‌کنیم. اگر به خودمان بگوییم اهمال‌کار مثل آن است که به خودمان بگوییم بازنده اگر ما فکر کنیم که بازنده هستیم همانند بازنده‌ها رفتار می‌کنیم.
این کتاب از تکنیک‌های شناختی - رفتاری برای تغییر رفتارهای اهمال‌کارانه استفاده می‌کنه.
قدم اول پذیرش این هست که گاهی کارهایمان را به تعویق میندازیم پذیرش به معنای تسلیم نیست بلکه پذیرفتن ضعفه تا از احساس گناه کامل نبودن در امان باشیم این طوری راحت‌تر می‌تونیم تغییر کنیم.
بعد از پذیرش توی این کتاب یه سری راهکارهای میان بر برای تغییرات ساده می‌گه تا بعد عمیق‌تر بشه روی این که پشت پرده‌ی اهمال‌کاری ما چیست تا بتونیم مشکل اساسی و زیربنایی رو بشناسیم و کنترل کنیم.
شاید ما از مشکلات اجتناب می‌کنیم.
شاید آدم بی‌نظمی هستیم و مدیریت زمان خوبی نداریم
شاید به خودمون مرددیم و اعتماد به نفس پایینی داریم
شاید از اهمال‌کاری به عنوان یک رفتار غیرقاطع در روابطمون استفاده می‌کنیم
شاید رویکرد همه یا هیچی نسبت به کارها داریم
یا در آخر شاید فقط تنبلی رو دوست داریم و از تفریح کردن لذت می‌بریم.
ما هر کدوم از رویکردها(یا حتی چندتا ازین رویکردها) رو داشته باشیم می‌تونیم گام به گام و آهسته تغییر کنیم. البته که تغییر کردن سخته مخصوصا زمانی که تو دوره‌های پراسترس هستیم ولی باید همیشه به مسیرمون برگردیم و این رو بدونیم که یک شبه نمی‌شه اهمال‌کاری رو کنار گذاشت مخصوصا اگر برامون خیلی مواقع کارساز هم بوده باشه.

[Tefek · Rating 5 out of 5]

خيلى برام مفيد بود و كمكم كرد كه تنبليم رو كم كنم و كارهارو به تعويق نندازم.
يه درس خيلى مهمى كه ازش ياد گرفتم اين بود كه هميه دنبال حال خوب نباشم تا كارى رو شروع كنم يا ادامه ش بدم، خودم تلاش كنم كه با هر حال و روحيه اى كه دارم كارهارو انجام بدم و به برنامه هام برسم؛ حال خوب داشتنى نيست بلكه ساختنى است.

به نظرم همه بايد اين كتاب رو بخونن.

(قرض از بوكتاب تهران)

[Atefe · Rating 4 out of 5]

ترجمه ی فارسی این کتاب را خواندم، با عنوانِ «راهنمای درمان اهمال کاری»، از انتشارات ارجمند.
راهکارهای درمانیِ ارائه شده در کتاب ساده ولی در بسیاری موارد کارساز و پرکتیکال به نظر نمی رسند، ولی در هر حال کتاب کمک زیادی میکند به شناخت "علل" اهمال کاری، و همین علت شناسی می تواند منجر به درمان، و بهتر بگویم، تقلیل اهمال کاری شود.

[Afsoon Vosoughi motlagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

این کتاب که برای درمان اهمالکاری با بررسی و ریشه‌یابی علل اون نوشته شده، می‌تونه خیلی مفید و مؤثر باشه. در این کتاب راهکارهای عملی بسیار و نکات خوبی داده شده که می‌تونه به فرد تو پیدا کردن علت اهماکاریش کمک کنه. من اگر خودم حرفه‌ام مشاوره نبود مطمئنم خیلی بیشتر از الان از این کتاب استفاده می‌کردم با این حال خوندنش روشن‌کننده بود.

[Dichi · Rating 4 out of 5]

من خيلي جاهاي اين كتابو توو خودم و اطرافيان نزديكم ديدم..بعضي راهكاراشو دارم انجام ميدم و درحد خيلي كمي فعلا بهترم.گذاشتمش دم دستم تا هميشه بهش سر بزنم

[Joevarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn't say that this book is the holy book for procrastinator, but I'm gonna say that this book helps me a lot. The tips & tricks weren't so cool, but that's what I like. I don't really like those self-help books that are full of tips and tricks because somehow, they didn't actually solved the root of the problems. But, this book somehow solved my problem. Now I wouldn't want myself to be perfect anymore. I prefer to do things now rather than perfectly. Of course, this is not perfected either. I'm still procrastinating but to the lesser amount than before. Surprisingly, much lesser!

The writer is actually a psychologist, and experienced in the field of cognitive therapy including procrastination therapy so that wouldn't make this book a pseudoscience just like other majority of self-help books. So, this book is trustworthy enough. Besides, this book can helps you if you don't want to go to psychologist for the therapy session.

[Behnoosh E · Rating 5 out of 5]

کتابی به غایت سودمند برای همگان!
اهمالکاری دلایلی درونی مثل اضطراب یا کمالگرایی دارد که ساده انگاشته شده و به تنبلی تعبیر میشود! در این کتاب دلایل درونی اهمال بررسی و دسته بندی شده و با تستهایی ساده و جالب میتوان فهمید ریشه‌ی اهمالکاری در چه دسته‌ای قرار میگیرد . و در فصلهای بعد توضیحات و دستورهایی برای آگاه شدن و تمرینهایی برای کمرنگ کردن و غلبه بر اهمالکاری ارائه شده .

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've finally finished this book. I may have procrastinated a little. I read this in order to help myself and the students I assist with their academic struggles. Psychologist Monica Basco addresses the different types of procrastinators and offers advice for managing the types of behavior. She does have a quiz/self-assessment that helps the reader to determine the type or types of procrastination he or she may be suffering from and each chapter has helpful sections called "Changing Directions" to help the procrastinator to turn the habit around and tame it.

While this is the first book I've read on this subject, I'm sure it won't be the last. It was helpful, an easy read, and something offers information that can be adapted to almost any situation.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful input. Read a more succinct/digestable blog regarding procrastination. Turns out that reading this book was only a way for me to further procrastinate. Blah.

[Mana Zaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

یکی از نکات منفی ترجمه‌ش که همراه مسخره و اذیت‌کننده بود فارسی کردن اسم‌ها بود.

[Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a while to get started, but I thought it had some good tips.

[Emily Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a lot of useful insights for helping readers understand why they procrastinate. Tips and tricks are tailored to specific reasons for procrastinating, which I found helpful. The author does a very good job of reality-checking readers and providing additional perspectives about how procrastination can actually serve us. My one criticism is that I wasn’t a fan of the author using the characters of the Procrastination Support Group to deliver the concepts/information she is trying to convey. It felt a bit contrived and cliché to me.

[Milka · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple little book on identifying which type of procrastinator you are, identify the reasons why you procrastinate and how to change your behavior and avoid procrastination. The identification process is well explained but I think this book doesn't cover strategic solutions in enough detail. Brian Tracy's "No Excuses!" book offers a lot more hands-on, practical solutions to procrastination, in my opinion.

[Cris Morales · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got a whiteboard after reading this, it´s the most practical and useful purchase I´ve done in ages. Seriously recommend this book if you´re interested in increasing productivity :P

[Gabucha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, without the Libby app I would not have read this book. I was always on my phone, so having the eBook on me allowed me to finish the book. Seriously, try the eBook version before the hard copy.

I knew I had a problem with procrastination, yet this book really illustrates how interfering procrastination could be and how it's more than just not getting that one thing done. Basco gives examples on how procrastination starts and the emotional reasons behind it. Very insightful. The way she exemplifies different situations with the characters makes the book engaging. It helped me analyze my thinking patterns and emotional barriers I had that led me and kept me in the procrastination loop. She gives useful ways to improve productivity and how to organize your thoughts and plans.

It's just refreshing to read a book on behavioral patterns by an actual psychologist. Not trying to bash non-psychologists who wrote books on procrastination, but it just gave the book more credibility. Also, the format of the book is very easy to read and straightforward, yet it doesn't have a 'textbook' feel. I was actually excited to keep reading it.

I've always been a disorganized and hesitant person, and very starry-eyed person. I'd have many ideas but I never acted on them. After reading this book, I have a genuine reassurance of myself and I'm excited to start school again. :^)

Tl;dr ---> Get the eBook version. Easy book to read. I feel confident about myself and my intentions now.

[Rosanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, this book has been great motivation for me to procrastinate less. I enjoyed the stories of the procrastinators' support group and the author's own experiences. They made the technical information in the book easier to understand and relate to my own life. The book began with an assessment, which was useful in identifying how bad my difficulties with procrastination are. It is divided into chapters explaining different causes for procrastination and how to work to improve. The layout was nice. The author encourages the reader not to become stressed. I really liked the book. The book is designed so that you can continue to use it to help you procrastinate less after reading it.

[Catherine Austen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, you'd think a book on how to stop procrastinating should just say, "close this book and go clean your house/finish your report/register for French lessons/whatever you are putting off." But this one was useful in figuring out why people procrastinate (apparently we are not all the same; some are disorganized; others are pleasure-seekers, etc.) She doesn't deny that change will be difficult and she stresses that we procrastinate because we can, because we get away with it - and that encourages me to stop letting other procrastinators get away with it. Some anecdotes, some tips, some theory.

[Brenda Siara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The funny thing is I actually procrastinated starting to read this book! I'm glad I finally got round to it! It's helped me discover why I procrastinate in the first place and like we know, identifying the nature of a problem is key to solving it. Basco, who happens to be a procrastinator herself (!), groups us into 5 categories dependent on why we do so, helps us discover ourselves, then sheds the light to fight this time vampire.
The Procrastinator's Guide to Getting Things Done is a must read!

[Mrs. Beamer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful self-help book for procrastinators. Written in an easy-to-read style, it covers the why, who and what of procrastination. The advice is practical and informative, but topical. Could benefit from a more in-depth analysis of why we procrastinate and ways to overcome it. I did get a lot out of Chapter 4, "Are You Disorganized" which does deal with precise ways to get yourself on track.

[Josh Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had Dr. Basco as a professor in school. While I'm not a big fan of self help books it was still interesting given that I was being instructed by the author of the book. It was an OK book.

[Jolene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of great ideas. I did all the exercises and made some progress toward my procrastination issue. Try it and pay special attention to the Procrastinators Club vignettes.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful advice!

[Hugo Fostin Hokianto · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the biggest weakness I have when it comes to doing something, is not realizing that I myself stuck upon the procrastination trap. This book has provided all reasons why people procrastinate, explain it one by one, and then giving the solutions written on a chapter. This book is well written, each chapter from introduction to explaining each reason of procrastination are easy to understand, and I found myself to relate the problems stated in the book with the things I deal in my life.

I feel much better after reading the book, not only it gives me a solution that could be handy for me to work to, but it motivates me to get less procrastinated and even removing it all from myself (although impossible, who knows? Maybe I will reach it at one point). I highly recommend this book to everyone who struggles on procrastinating.

[Firas · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author Monica Ramirez is specialized in cognitive behavioral therapy and is a clinical psychologist but unfortunately that is not well reflected in her book content and style. I have to say that I expected a deeper explanation of different aspects of the main theme concept. Most of the ideas are repeated in different words explaining and analyzing almost the same behavior under a different subheading.

I would say that the book is not rich enough to be of more than 30 pages, no more.

[Sadegh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always been like "yeah I am a procrastinator" but after reading this book I was like "Oh God I am a procrastinator". So it helps you to look into yourself and search for the situations that you decide to procrastinate and maybe try to fix them gradually.

[Joan Kong · Rating 1 out of 5]

Seriously... i found this really waste of time to read through all the examples which i cannot relate to, while there's no solid practical ways to improve the positive habits.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Basco seems to be as lost and clueless as the regular veteran procastinator when it comes to what happens. So Basco comes up with stock suggestions.

[Larry White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not world changing, a lot of the advice can be a little predictable. That said, it helped me articulate my own procrastination habits, so worth the quick read.

[Mahboob · Rating 3 out of 5]

شاید تنها نکته‌ی مثبتش این بود که میشد فهمید دلیل اهمال کاری چیه؟