The Procrastinator's Handbook: Mastering the Art of Doing It Now

I read introductions. I often find some interesting gems in those opening pages. It happened with The Procrastinator's Handbook. Did you know that procrastination is a habit? And habits can be broken, changed? Hmmm. Procrastination thinking can significantly alter my performance and get in the way of my success without my even realizing it. I had never thought about procrastination that deeply.

Part One was fascinating. The author explores a variety of types of procrastination. On almost every page I found myself nodding with an attitude of "yes, I can see that." And I'm starting to collect some tips about how to conquer the tendency to put things off. The vignettes are supporting my learning. This book is comfortable, easy to read. It's sort of like a friend telling you things you sort of know, but never really examined. New, acceptable information and insight.

Learning. That's what this book is about. Yeah. And that sense is reinforced by the "extra credit" assignments at the close of each chapter. I remember extra credit work from school; most of the time the tasks were fun and more educational than I would want to admit. Same thing here. I like the quotes at the end of each chapter, too. They sort of underline the message of the chapter.

Author Rita Emmett gives seminars on procrastination and the productive use of time. I felt like I was sitting in one of her seminars-gaining knowledge, insight, and inspiration in every chapter. She was talking to me. The tone of the writing gave me the warm, included feeling of sitting in a small seminar with Rita (see, I'm already talking as if the author is a personal friend who cares about me and my procrastination problem.

Uh, oh. Folding down pages. And I feel myself making commitments to complete some of those unfinished tasks that I conveniently add to my to-do list so I can get them out of my face. Oops. She caught me. How does Rita know so much about what I do? Gotta keep this book at arm's length or this stuff will affect my thinking and even behavior.

Too late. I'm into Part Two: Why We Procrastinate. Boy, does this sound familiar! By the time I get to the chapter entitled, "Help! I'm overwhelmed!", I'm eager for answers. I feel like I've joined Procrastinators Anonymous. I need answers. Solutions. Ideas for changing my behavior.

Part Three: Proven Strategies for Conquering Procrastination. Hungrily, I move through 75 pages of techniques, highlighting, turning pages, making a few notes. Some of this material is not new, though maybe packaged differently. Most of what I'm reading, though, is fresh, focused ideas. This information and advice will help improve my life. I can feel it.

The last paragraph of text in the book tells the story. "You can change your old procrastinating ways. Don't forget Emmett's Law: The dread of doing a task uses up more time and energy than doing the task itself. So go ahead and get started creating the life you want. You deserve a great one!" Works for me! It's time to make a difference in my life.


positive procrastinating   February 12, 2001
Ginny Lyon (Absecon,, NJ USA)
69 out of 71 found this review helpful

While holiday shopping in a local bookstore,I was unable to find a book I had come in to buy. The cover of Rita Emmett's book caught my eye - I stopped and browsed through the first few pages. I then put the book down and thought to myself, "Oh, I'll come back and buy it another day". Bells went off in my head! Why am I procrastinating buying this book??? Money? Time? Actually none of the above. It was a behavior - a procrastinating behavior. I bought the book and read it cover to cover. She defines procrastinating behaviors and offers small step activities that will make changes. Instead of beating yourself up over being late or putting things off, you learn how to make changes in behavior that brings long term results. Procrastinating is usually considered a negative thing. Rita shows you why your procrastination is linked to positive behaviors and how to make changes that will bring you positive results. After reading the book, I booked Rita inviting her to be the speaker at an annual event I'm coordinating in New Jersey.


A Great Book for Yourself or as a Gift   October 10, 2000
CJ (Lost in Suburbia, USA)
84 out of 94 found this review helpful

It's hard to imagine ANYONE who wouldn't get a lot out of this book...

THE PROCRASTINATOR'S HANDBOOK speaks to the most common attitude, or habit, in the human condition today. With every page I turned, not only did I see myself, but dozens of other folk I've known over the years. It's almost as if the pages were made of tinfoil.. they reflect so much! I've already decided that much of my holiday shopping will be handled by a bulk order of this delightful publication.

Just about everyone I know is, or has been, one of the types of procrastinators Rita Emmett outlines in this book. This includes myself, of course. (Until I heard about this book, I thought all procrastinators were my subjects, and I was their Queen.) As I read, I made a mental list of all the wonderful people I know who would benefit from the clear, self-affirming, logical tips, and "Extra Credit" tasks Rita presents. I also bookmarked the many pages that gave me sound plans for attacking both the physical and mental clutter that generate so much unnecessary stress.

My favorite element of the book is its "just folks" tone. There is never the sense that the author, nor the audience, is immune to the menial, the drudgey or the mundane tasks common to modern life. Rita speaks of scrubbing her kitchen walls, rather than attack a typing task she despised. How many books these days assume their audience to be "above" such real-life chores? How often does one get a suggestion about the least distasteful time for getting laundry folded? It's almost as if Rita is chatting with me over coffee at my kitchen table.. or hers, since my house isn't "ready for company" yet. We're "just folks" together, and she shares with us her experience of real life and how to make it more satisfying.

Another element of the book that I find most appealing is her refusal to sugar coat the unpleasant truth. She writes that, "Life seems to overflow with" unpleasant tasks, the stuff we just know we won't want to do, but must, if we wish to be considered functional human beings. The tasks are just there, though sometimes we're unable to find anything appealing in the doing of the task. Rita reminds us that we can "change our minds to change the game," and focus on the time AFTER completion of the task, where we're able to simply bask in the glow of a job (well) done. If basking isn't enough for you, Rita gives us a great starter list of rewards we can promise ourselves for gritting our teeth and plowing through those tasks. When you approach things this way, there's really nothing one cannot get oneself to do. In fact, thanks to Rita, I'm going to resume my efforts to get started on graduate school and end ten (well, okay, seventeen) years of putting THAT off.

I believe a lot of us in this "modern" generation are pulling away from Mom's Homespun Wisdom, and Rita does a significant service to her audience by bringing some of that back to us, in a most affirming, considerate, noncritical way. She tells us to get the worst stuff out of the way early in the day, so as to eliminate dread, and put a shinier glint on whatever follows. I know MY mom encouraged me to do that as well, but coming from Rita, it's not so hard to hear.

So... I say, get your hands on this book right away, make a pot of coffee, grab a highlighter or some bookmarks, and even your holiday shopping list, and sit down to a TERRIFIC read.


Dont put off tomorrow what you can do today   May 31, 2001
MotherLodeBeth (Sierras of California)
46 out of 50 found this review helpful

Rita Emmett when you die you will get your angel wings because this book is a gift from God and I am so thankful. See... I am a well meaning person who has goals. The problem is I get sidetracked and that means I am a procrastinator. Personally I think the higher the IQ the more a person will fit this label.

The book is small and just over 200 pages long and it is the only book I have ever read that deals with learning as the sub-title says "Mastering the Art of DOing It Now" that I have found really works. The book is in a three part Play layout. The First part is about Getting a Grip on Procrastination 1. Tacking the Dread 2 What's Your Excuse 3 The Games People Play

Part Two is Why We procrastinate 4. The Fears That Stop You Cold 5. I Wanna Do It All 6 Help! I'm Overwhelmed

Part Three is Proven Strategies for Conquering Procrastination 7. Plan Time to Plan 8. Clutter Busting 9. Dollars and Sense 10 What Dreams Are Made Of

At the end of each section you get questions and a place to write down what she asks you to answer. She also has a website at www.ritaemmett.com The part on Clutter Busting will prove to be a help to every reader. The Plan Time to Plan points out that you have to have a basic plan, because people who just jump into a task, can find they lack the proper tools or that the task requires more time than they thought which in turn can end up being a discouragement and simply another task set aside that never gets done yet adds to ones depression.


Don't wait another day to buy this book!   January 4, 2001
jack finney (oak park, illinois USA)
40 out of 43 found this review helpful

I believe we all procrastinate about something. Some of that isn't all that bad. This book, however, is helpful for the times we are blocked from living and loving fully. There is something for everyone. For me I now have a spiral book by the phone with ALL my "to do's" listed in one place instead of slips of paper all over the place. The chapter on blocks was most helpful. Once I named and faced the fear that holds me back I went to the phone and made a call that I had been putting off for months. It felt so good.