The Science of Overcoming Procrastination Summary

Summary of The Science of Overcoming Procrastination Book by Patrick King

Name: The Science of Overcoming Procrastination
Rating: 4.4 (1142 reviews)
Author: Patrick King

4.4 . 1142 reviews

Short summary

Many people suffer from the effects of procrastination without even knowing it. This is so because procrastination can successfully hide under the guise of the excuses that we create for ourselves when we fail to get things done. Our most important tasks are left undone even though we planned to do them. Often, this happens because we overlook the importance of a task or push it to a later time that becomes infeasible. All of these are linked with inertia, which happens when we are unwilling to take action. This tidbit discusses the warning signs of procrastination and how we can identify and correct them. Patrick King is a writer, social interaction specialist, and conversation coach who lives in San Francisco, California. His works have received positive revisions globally. He has been featured in GQ Magazine, TedX, Forbes, NBC News, Huffington Post, Business Insider, ATTN, Real Simple Magazine, and Creative Live. “It’s possible that procrastinators are not inherently lazy or useless individuals; rather, they’re simply faced with tasks which do not match their skill levels or personal motivations.” ~ Patrick King

12 min

7 key points

6 insights

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Table of content

Summary of The Science of Overcoming Procrastination
About the author
What is The Science of Overcoming Procrastination about?
Who should read The Science of Overcoming Procrastination
Topics in The Science of Overcoming Procrastination

first key point

It’s better to break down a task than try to do it all at once because it might give you more time to work

Listen the first key point

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Many people make the mistake of trying to begin a huge task all at once. While this is achievable, its disadvantages far outweigh its benefits. Firstly, going all-in for a task can wear you down because you've started at a very high intensity, and sustaining it might not be easy.

Secondly, there is a risk of failing because you have programmed your mind to finish the task at a particular time no matter what it takes, putting unnecessary pressure on you, and any mistake can be disastrous. But, when you break down your tasks, you will be afforded the space to time yourself effectively. Dividing your work into smaller components also helps you see mistakes easily.

When we space our time to cover a project over a specific period, we can afford some time off to do other things.

Although procrastination takes advantage of our idleness, doing too many things can also lead to it. When we have to choose between too many tasks, we’ll most likely choose the less important ones first. This is because we’ve wasted too much time deciding which task will make us feel relaxed.

This tidbit discusses some techniques needed to overcome the problem of procrastination, as well as its causes, problems, and effects. If you suffer from procrastination or want to learn more about it, discover why it is so hard to unlearn, or just want help with always being a step ahead, this summary is right for you.

second key point

To beat procrastination, we need to reflect on our thought processes

The word “procrastination” was derived from the combination of “pro” and “crastinus.” Both words belong to the Latin language, and “pro” means “forward, forth, or in favor of” while “crastinus” means “of tomorrow.” When we put these meanings together, we can see that procrastination means pushing something forward. Generally, the word is used when we put off something unpleasant and pursue something more enjoyable. In other words, we don’t stop doing everything at once. Rather, we substitute tasks we must do with the ones we could easily postpone.

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third key point

One can identify procrastination by paying attention to our behaviors in different scenarios

fourth key point

Procrastination is caused by conflicting decisions that can be overcome through mindset tactics

fifth key point

Once you begin a task, your mood will adjust

sixth key point

Procrastination engages you when there’s nothing on your plate

seventh key point

Conclusion

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What is The Science of Overcoming Procrastination about?

"The Science of Overcoming Procrastination" by Patrick King is a practical guide that delves into the psychology behind procrastination and provides effective strategies to overcome it. With a focus on discipline, time management, and productivity, this book offers actionable tips and techniques to break free from inertia and start accomplishing tasks. Whether you struggle with procrastination occasionally or it's a chronic issue, this book will help you get off your butt and finally get things done.

Who should read The Science of Overcoming Procrastination

Students struggling with time management and productivity in school.
Professionals seeking to overcome procrastination and increase work efficiency.
Individuals looking to break the cycle of inertia and achieve personal goals.

Topics in The Science of Overcoming Procrastination

Procrastination Time Management Productivity Self-Help Personal Development Self-Discipline Motivational Overcoming Adversity Self-Discipline Goal Setting Habits Self-Awareness Psychology Success Mindfulness

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What are the benefits of books summary?

Do you find yourself staring at your computer for long minutes, unaware of time slipping by? Do you enter a room and suddenly cannot remember why you stepped in the first place? Is it a herculean task for you to sit through ten pages of a book without reaching for your phone? If yes, your focus needs some work and fast.

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