This is a tongue-in-cheek book by a lifelong procrastinator, who, it seems, has come to accept himself as he is and wants to encourage other procrastinators not to waste time trying to change themselves, but to use their natural tendency toward procrastination to get stuff done.
The book is short and conversational and full of funny, relatable anecdotes. It's so nice to know that there are lots of other procrastinators, and they have the same thoughts and habits I do.
Title // The Art of Procrastination: A Guide to Effective Dawdling, Lollygagging, and Postponing
Author // John Perry, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, Stanford University
Year Published // 2012
I'll summarize each chapter and the wisdom I gleaned from it. So far, I have not implemented any of it, but I hope it will become part of my psyche.
INTRODUCTION : The Paradox of Procrastination // A "structured procrastinator" is someone who accomplishes a lot while they are busy avoiding doing something else. Procrastinators, just get rid of the guilt and feel better about yourselves!
I : Structured Procrastination // Often, what we think are the top priorities are not the most important things in life; procrastinating is a roundabout way of doing things that should be done. Procrastinators shouldn't minimize their commitments. Doing moderately important things is a lot better than doing nothing.
II : Procrastination and Perfectionism // Procrastinators want to be perfect, but, like anyone else, they usually do only an adequate job- right at the deadline. Avoid the emotional turmoil by giving yourself permission to do a less-than-perfect job from the very beginning.
III : To-Do Lists // Procrastinators need a constant sense of accomplishment during long projects. Break down your job into a series of small steps. Try to foresee distractions and include things that you should NOT do, so that you can check them off when you avoid procrastinating! Make your daily list the night before and fall asleep imagining yourself getting stuff done.
IV : Get Rhythm // Make playlists of upbeat songs and play them whenever you need to get a job done. It is easier to start a task when you tell yourself that you'll work just for the duration of the playlist.
V : The Computer and the Procrastinator // The internet and TV can create a false sense of accomplishment. Start your session soon before a natural interruption will take place. Decide what a decent amount of time on the internet would be, and set an alarm to interrupt you then.
VI : A Plea for the Horizontally Organized // Procrastinators function best when they can see everything spread out before them, and they have a difficult time putting their things away in the middle of a project; if they do so, they aren't likely to take it out again.
VII : Collaborating With the Enemy? // Partner with Type-A get-'er-done varieties. They will inspire you to be more like them, but they will also take away your power to decide to procrastinate.
VIII : Fringe Benefits // While you're sitting on a task, it will sometimes get done by someone else. Or become simpler or irrelevant. Or you'll learn something new pertaining to how it should be done. Just be aware that it is a flaw.
IX : Do Procrastinators Have to Be Annoying? // Procrastinators annoy non-procrastinators. Non-procrastinators should know that we really do feel guilty about it. The author theorizes that childish spite is at the root of a lot of "structured procrastination;" we want others to know they can't control us.
X : Deep Concluding Thoughts // We are a big bundle of disparate desires; for some of us the desire to be rational is not very strong, and we end up as procrastinators. However, thinking and dreaming is the structured procrastinator's gift, and spontaneity is the only way to do it.
Appendix : How to Kick the Habit - Read at Your Own Risk // If you realize that procrastination is making you unhappy, attack it from the other end and just work on being happy. The author suggests using Google Calendar (and putting in events such as "Quit wasting time and get to work") and LazyMeter.com's to-do lists, but he advises against searching out too many tools or reading materials on procrastination. That will really only be another way of procrastinating.
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