Each time I ask someone why they’re having a hard time achieving their goals, procrastination comes up as one of the main reasons.
They keep postponing decisions or actions until they’re either overtaken by events or run out of time. Unfortunately, the more you procrastinate, the deeper the habit entrenches itself in you.
Procrastination, in my view, is both an art and a habit. It’s an art because you find new and very ingenious ways of putting things off. On the other hand, it’s a habit because you’ve done it so many times until it’s become your normal way of doing (or not doing) things.
I don’t think it’s possible to totally eliminate procrastination. We just have to learn to overcome it and not allow it to take over our lives.
Instead of giving tips, this time I’ll share 5 books that have helped me overcome procrastination. These resources moved me from being a master procrastinator into someone who takes action constantly and consistently.
5 Resources for Overcoming Procrastination
1. Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy
There’s a saying that if you have to eat a frog each day, then you’d better eat it first thing in the morning. Once you do this, you’ll have completed the worst thing you have to do for that day.
This is the principle behind Brian Tracy’s Eat That Frog: How to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time. In this book, Brian Tracy provides 21 principles that will help you achieve your goals in less time.
This book is a goal setting and time management manual in one. You’ll learn how to identify your most important goals, prioritize them, and take action on your main goal each day.
You can get the free transcription of Eat That Frog from this link or buy the book from Amazon.com or your local bookstore.
Click here for a preview of Eat That Frog on Amazon.com.
2. Getting Things Done by David Allen
His philosophy is based on 4Ds: Do it, Delegate it, Defer it, or Dump it. In Allen’s words, “Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.” When you free your mind, you’re able to stop procrastination, reduce overwhelm, increase your productivity, and have better results.
Getting Things Done has now evolved from a book into a worldwide personal and organizational productivity philosophy. You can get the book from Amazon.com and also download additional resources from his website.
Click here for a preview of Getting Things Done on Amazon.com.
3. 52 Mondays by Vic Conant
Vic Conant’s 52 Mondays: The One Year Path to Outrageous Success and Lifelong Happiness starts by stating that “A lot can happen in a year.” You and I know how true this statement is!
When I first read this book, I was searching for a system that would keep me focused on one goal. That was in 2012 when the book was launched, and I have used it every year since then.
52 Mondays is more than a book. It’s a week by week system that keeps you focused on your #1 goal for the year. Each week, you have step-by-step exercises to guide you on what to do. Success is cumulative, and it all adds up once you overcome procrastination and take consistent action.
This book is the best manual I can recommend if you’re new to goal setting. It’s also a good resource if you’re not focused and keep jumping from one goal to another.
Click here for a preview of 52 Mondays on Amazon.com.
4. The One Thing by Gary Keller with Jay Papasan
In November 2016, a participant in a goal setting teleclass asked me to recommend a book that would help her stay focused. She noted that she felt like a fox chasing many rabbits in the forest and not catching any.
The One Thing immediately came to my mind because it starts with a Russian proverb that says, “If you chase two rabbits…you will not catch either one.”
I made this book my main focus this year so that I could narrow down further and focus on one thing in my business. And it has paid off big time!
The biggest pay-off was the partnership with other coaches to form Biashara 360. This partnership helped me achieve my 5 year goal 2 years in advance.
When you focus your energy on one thing, you become like a laser. It’s easier for you to cut through clutter, overcome procrastination and achieve more in less time.
Click here for my detailed review of The One Thing.
Click here for a preview of The One Thing on Amazon.com.
5. The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale
The Strangest Secret became the first spoken word to win a gold record…in the 1950s. This also led to a new career and business for Earl Nightingale and Lloyd Conant.
Today, Nightingale-Conant Corporation, the company they started together, is one of the world’s largest library of personal, professional and business success programs.
The Strangest Secret is founded on 6 simple words: “You become what you think about”. These 6 words will change your life and the way you view your goals!
The book provides a detailed outline on how you can use your thoughts to get what you want. It ends with a 30-day challenge to take action on your goal.
This is a book you’ll use over and over again. Each time you read it, you’ll get nuggets of wisdom that you can apply to your goals.
Click here for a preview of The Strangest Secret on Amazon.com.
Are you ready to kick procrastination out of your life?
Procrastination is a thief. It steals your time, profit and energy. With time, it will kill your dreams and goals. Also, like all negative habits, it’s easier to become a procrastinator than it is to end the habit.
Any of the 5 resources outlined in this post are well placed to help you end procrastination and become a master action-taker.
Check out the previews on Amazon.com, pick one book and start using it. If you’re stuck and don’t know which one to use, then start with The Strangest Secret. It’s an easy to use system that you can implement very fast, and with powerful and almost immediate results.
Your next step…
Now that we’re talking of goals, are you ready for 2018? Join us at the Achieve Your Goals workshop and learn strategies that will help you achieve your goals for 2018 in an easier way. The workshop has a teleclass option if you’re not available for the 2-day live class. Click the image below for details.
(Images courtesy of Unsplash and Amazon.com)
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and I get a commission when you purchase from these vendors. However, I only recommend books and resources that have had a positive impact in my life and business.
