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The Now Habit at Work: Perform Optimally, Maintain Focus, and Ignite Motivation in Yourself and Others
Do you want to be more productive and enjoy your work more fully? The Now Habit at Work, written by top performance expert Neil Fiore, reveals how true time management goes hand-in-hand with greater ease, well-being, and success in business and life. Whatever your occupation, Fiore's proven tools will empower you to overcome procrastination and engage your full creative potential on the job. Adapting the principles of Fiore's bestselling The Now Habit to the unique challenges of business settings, The Now Habit at Work provides you with a complete, no-nonsense program to build effective self-management strategies. You'll develop the focus of a champion, the ability to bounce back from setbacks, and the habit of problem-solving your way around obstacles and doubt. Drawn from the latest neuroscience, Cognitive Behavioral psychology, and Peak Performance research, The Now Habit at Work enables you to optimize your approach so you: Identify your negative habits and develop corrective actions
Use the Law of Reverse Effort to accomplish more by struggling less
Shift from defending your ego so you can focus on achieving your goal
Learn how to focus on when, where, and what to start so you can stop feeling overwhelmed by large projects
Work with the power of your entire brain's left and right hemispheres so you achieve twice as much in half the time
Align your daily actions with your higher values and goals Filled with practical examples and exercises that are thoroughly tested and easy to implement, The Now Habit at Work will enable you to increase your productivity while eliminating negative patterns and reducing your stress. You'll be amazed as your new habits improve your work/life balance and inspire those around you to create a vigorous organization with a healthy bottom line!
Use the Law of Reverse Effort to accomplish more by struggling less
Shift from defending your ego so you can focus on achieving your goal
Learn how to focus on when, where, and what to start so you can stop feeling overwhelmed by large projects
Work with the power of your entire brain's left and right hemispheres so you achieve twice as much in half the time
Align your daily actions with your higher values and goals Filled with practical examples and exercises that are thoroughly tested and easy to implement, The Now Habit at Work will enable you to increase your productivity while eliminating negative patterns and reducing your stress. You'll be amazed as your new habits improve your work/life balance and inspire those around you to create a vigorous organization with a healthy bottom line!
4 pages, Audio CD
First published July 15, 2010
81 people are currently reading
756 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
November 23, 2012
I found this book very helpful in tackling the aspect of procrastination. I really liked the advice, "just get started. the last time you start is the time you'll finish." I am still working on breaking the habit of saying, "I have to... "I need to...." etc. I did feel like this was a book geared more so at managers, which I am not, and look forward to reading more of his other books focused on self-motivation.
September 10, 2023
4.5 rounded up. a little long & on occasion kind of hokey, but i resonated with the author’s assertions and appreciated his kind approach to this topic.
November 6, 2017
The original Now Habit was better
This does expand a bit but there's a lot of extra fluff. Could have been half as long and still made ask the save good points.
But that half is excellent.
This does expand a bit but there's a lot of extra fluff. Could have been half as long and still made ask the save good points.
But that half is excellent.
November 14, 2020
I've found the original book "Now habit" to be more practical and more focused, as this book also dabbles in management communication styles, work productivity tips and such, and is not solely dedicated to the topic of procrastination.
April 22, 2016
Very applicable. A bit drawn-out. I listened to the audiobook and wasn't particularly impressed by the performance.
November 18, 2025
All self-help non-fiction books that I have read start off with the claim that they are different from all the other self-help books and offer something that works, but end up reading the same. This book to me, was no different. I am not an avid non-fiction reader and it is generally difficult for me to find a self-help book that actually talked about something different. It was fascinating that the first few chapters focused on how the book was different from everything else out there, but each chapter felt like it expanded and quoted other books, just added some real life examples. Not sure if I took anything helpful away from it. The search continues for a self-help book that works for me.
April 9, 2016
I really got to start paying more attention to the books I order from the library. I meant to get "The Now Habit." I found it on a productivity site and thought it sounded interesting. Alas, I wasn't paying attention and ended up with this book. There is nothing groundbreaking in this book. It just tells you to focus on your "priorities" which I am clearly not doing as I should be working on a freelance writing thingie, but instead, I am here typing up book reviews. ANYWAY This is just to get my brain warmed up.
As a freelancer, there was not a lot that I felt I could take away from this book. It gave tips on how to deal with distraction n the office. And the book emphasizes you to focus focus focus. Someone took to much Adderall and then wrote this book.
It gives some tips on how to build your self-esteem. And it talks about work life balance and all the other stuff that most other productivity books speak of.
The writing wasn't spectacular, and there was no groundbreaking theory or anything in this book. There are other books out there that have better writing and better ideas to implement.
I keep thinking that the reason that I did not really like this book is that I wasn't in the target audience. If you work in an office and need to boost your self-esteem up a few notches, then you may find this book helpful.This review was originally posted on Adventures in Never Never Land
December 6, 2017
Surprise! A self-help book that's helpful. Neil Fiore is a psychologist who did much of his doctoral work on issues related to procrastination, which means he actually knows a good deal about the subject of the book. He begins by addressing the underlying reasons why we procrastinate. For instance, in some situations, procrastination can seem like a way to control the anger we feel toward a boss or a spouse, though we may not recognize or acknowledge our passive/aggressive behavior.
Some of the strategies he suggests are ones we've heard before, such as breaking down larger tasks into smaller ones. The reason we've heard them before, of course, is that they work. Others were new to me, and taken as a whole, make a compelling case for the author's program. They include forgetting about "finishing" and focusing instead on "starting" (it's much less anxiety-inducing), making sure that we have something pleasant planned after each period of work on the project about which we've been procrastinating (thereby creating new, positive associations), and addressing in advance the obstacles that we may face as we work on the project (having explored the potential problems, we can face them--if and when they happen--with more confidence in our ability to solve them).
In spite of the cute "Now Habit" name, Fiore's program is practical, based on good science, and has been applied successfully over time. If you have problems with procrastination, you could do much worse than read this book and take its suggestions to heart.
Some of the strategies he suggests are ones we've heard before, such as breaking down larger tasks into smaller ones. The reason we've heard them before, of course, is that they work. Others were new to me, and taken as a whole, make a compelling case for the author's program. They include forgetting about "finishing" and focusing instead on "starting" (it's much less anxiety-inducing), making sure that we have something pleasant planned after each period of work on the project about which we've been procrastinating (thereby creating new, positive associations), and addressing in advance the obstacles that we may face as we work on the project (having explored the potential problems, we can face them--if and when they happen--with more confidence in our ability to solve them).
In spite of the cute "Now Habit" name, Fiore's program is practical, based on good science, and has been applied successfully over time. If you have problems with procrastination, you could do much worse than read this book and take its suggestions to heart.
October 31, 2012
I am reflexively ill-disposed to books of the 'self help' variety as a general rule. I forget how I got the impression, but somewhere along the way I was pretty sure I saw "The Now Habit" get mentioned on Less Wrong or Overcoming Bias in a positive light. This book was by the same guy and shorter, so I decided I should read it. Naturally, I procrastinated for months before actually cracking the book open and trying to read it. Ultimately, I am glad I did. I found myself resisting some of the concepts at times, but the author has done a good job of writing the book in such a way that it got around my raised hackles at the thought of needing hand holding to be more productive. A good and a short book that can give you some mental tools to overcome procrastination, if you're ready to admit you could use them.
May 27, 2012
This book was just OK. It was a quick listen, being only 4 discs. It didn't contain any long lost secrets to getting things done overnight. It was very upbeat and optimistic about doing the opposite of what hasn't been working. Taking small doable chunks of intimidating and daunting projects. Covered a lot of self talk on procrastination. It's what someone might want to listen to right before committing to a New Year's Resolution.
October 10, 2014
Gives good examples of how people trip themselves up at work. Also speaks to managers who might be in charge of those people.
One of the main, most interesting ideas for was to eliminate the phrase "have to" from your vocabulary. Those two words can make a task seem more complicated and unappealing than it needs to be.
There is an appendix at the end of the book which covers the key ideas and can be used for a quick review.
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One of the main, most interesting ideas for was to eliminate the phrase "have to" from your vocabulary. Those two words can make a task seem more complicated and unappealing than it needs to be.
There is an appendix at the end of the book which covers the key ideas and can be used for a quick review.
.
January 31, 2015
A definite disappointment after reading the excellent The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play . I was expecting more... much more. This was a 2.5 star book for me but I'm rounding up to 3 due to my admiration for the original Now Habit book and its author.
October 22, 2012
Some really great content especially surrounding the psychology of procrastination. Really interested in the various mindsets we take and how profoundly they can affect our behavior. Trying to be much more purposeful in decisions around my work. Doing some experiments and trying to improve my mindset. Worth reading even though it can get slow in spots.
December 13, 2014
Not a great deal of new material but it is not the fault of the author I happen to have read other books in this genre.
It represents a good introduction to the subject and focuses on practical methodology rather than gimmick and downright cobblers.
I would have liked to have read this book rather earlier in my exploration of this interesting subject.
It represents a good introduction to the subject and focuses on practical methodology rather than gimmick and downright cobblers.
I would have liked to have read this book rather earlier in my exploration of this interesting subject.
November 14, 2012
Not too long. Spends quite a bit of time on the why of procrastination and how it relates to self talk and how we find self esteem.
It takls about creating an "Unschedule" to schedule our rest and relaxation and offers some relaxation techniques to fire off productive time.
It takls about creating an "Unschedule" to schedule our rest and relaxation and offers some relaxation techniques to fire off productive time.
December 24, 2012
shift act, release anxiety keep starting, Drucker Eff Leadership, listen tell me more, month qtr goals, marshmellow test, do delegate dump, choices build self esteem, push vs pull, expectations get what expect, self acceptance.
October 2, 2013
Good positive self help management type book. I generally consider a business book worthwhile if I can glean two or three ideas to build on, this had that and then some. Easy read and audio was well done also. I would consider it time well spent.
April 21, 2013
Forgettable. About 1 month after I read this I couldn't retain any of it.
November 30, 2012
Meh. Nothing new.
January 30, 2013
pretty good
January 4, 2013
Lots of good tips. Now how can I apply them all the time?
December 25, 2014
Good but not a lot new. Just get started. Focus on the positive.
April 15, 2017
This book has some great ideas but the advice relies on a lot of self control and self insight.
If I had enough of these things to use the advice in the book, then I wouldn't need the book...
If I had enough of these things to use the advice in the book, then I wouldn't need the book...
April 7, 2017
It helped.
July 24, 2017
Not quite as good as the original, but a good refresher on it anyhow.
September 18, 2017
Many actionable tips to improve daily and work life as well as all relationships.
January 16, 2021
It may just be the timing, but I found this book framed procrastination and work/play balance in a way that really spoke to me. We all Know half of what is said in these books - we are just looking for someone to frame it in juuust the right way. The other half was new to me. I didn't even realize I was a huge procrastinator until I was listening to this book. I had this inflated sense that I Used to be terrible at things, and now I'm like a regular person. I realized I'm more like a 'regular' person portrayed in media - which is often someone who's kind of a mess. (I have also realized I can't think of a single piece of media that would present me with an actual role model!)
Anyway, what it taught me is: Procrastination is something you do because you link your performance, to your ability, to your self worth. The more you put things off, the less it says about who you Really Are Inside.
Also, procrastination tactics are generally, 'I can't do this unless I'm staring down the barrel of a gun', which is likely something you learned from your parents and teachers on accident.
It reminds me of a favourite story bit from Ajhan Brahm in Australia, a buddhist monk. He said one of the new monks came to confess that he had made himself a sandwich (they only have one meal a day) and fully expected to be kicked out. Ajhan said, "Okay, thanks for telling me - just go think up some improvements for next time, like having a bigger meal, having a tea later in the day, etc." and the monk responded how..? "No! That isn't good enough. If you don't punish me. I'll do it again. I only work by punishment." (Ajhan's solution, by the way, was to go pet one of the monastery cat's and grow compassion instead of fear)
Anyway, what it taught me is: Procrastination is something you do because you link your performance, to your ability, to your self worth. The more you put things off, the less it says about who you Really Are Inside.
Also, procrastination tactics are generally, 'I can't do this unless I'm staring down the barrel of a gun', which is likely something you learned from your parents and teachers on accident.
It reminds me of a favourite story bit from Ajhan Brahm in Australia, a buddhist monk. He said one of the new monks came to confess that he had made himself a sandwich (they only have one meal a day) and fully expected to be kicked out. Ajhan said, "Okay, thanks for telling me - just go think up some improvements for next time, like having a bigger meal, having a tea later in the day, etc." and the monk responded how..? "No! That isn't good enough. If you don't punish me. I'll do it again. I only work by punishment." (Ajhan's solution, by the way, was to go pet one of the monastery cat's and grow compassion instead of fear)
January 2, 2020
It's not the one I originally wanted to read by the same author and I confess I came across a great book. It's between the simple employee, workalcoholic, to managers and of course leadership but also self improvement at work, HR, the habits to change both at the bottom of the scale (time management, work-life balance, health, importance of sleep) and in the social status (the importance of securing the employee in relation to deadlines, workload, the importance of a more humane management, more in active listening, to make the workplace more comfortable for the employee, his family). Of course there is a side concerning managers, but what is surprising in this book is that it is a condensed compendium of knowledge oriented psychology and cognitive sciences. The importance of meditation. It rethinks managerial rules, addresses the human question and suffering at work. It is a compendium of humanity that I can only recommend. (Which leads me to read the one in self improvement and not at work😁).
January 21, 2019
The rare productivity book that seems to have practical takeaways to solve a very challenging life issue, procrastination. The author's explanation of procrastination rings true, most stemming from inertia generated by the sheer magnitude of a project(s), that makes the completion seem impossible or impractical. Also, the authors suggest there are other variants, such as a person who is afraid to fail, unreasonable perfectionism, and "the first step problem". As one can discern, all the above are related to each other, in that they stem from fear, and possibly not having the growth mindset.
The author proceeds to go through several step-by-step fixes and meditations. I found this book very helpful and have already decreased slack time in my schedule. Especially helpful for those who are new to running parallel projects simultaneously. Recommended
The author proceeds to go through several step-by-step fixes and meditations. I found this book very helpful and have already decreased slack time in my schedule. Especially helpful for those who are new to running parallel projects simultaneously. Recommended
August 23, 2018
Did not manage to catch me.
Found it to be too "foamy" and trying too much to sound clever in guiding people who are running their own business.
Phased out during the end.
The only good point that I got out of this was that when you have a overwhelming task ahead of you... just keep on starting to work on it.
Found it to be too "foamy" and trying too much to sound clever in guiding people who are running their own business.
Phased out during the end.
The only good point that I got out of this was that when you have a overwhelming task ahead of you... just keep on starting to work on it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews