Procrastination audiobook cover - Why You Do It, What to Do About It Now

Procrastination

Why You Do It, What to Do About It Now

Jane B. Burka & Lenora M. Yuen

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Categories:
PsychologyProductivityPersonal Development

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Key Takeaways from Procrastination

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Mind Map

Procrastination
Nature & Causes+
Redefining Success & Failure+
Time Perception+
Influencing Factors+
Taming the Habit+
Supporting Procrastinators+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
What does the text suggest is a major underlying cause of procrastination?
  • A. A lack of natural intelligence and cognitive ability.
  • B. The avoidance of uncomfortable emotions like fear and doubt.
  • C. An innate desire to annoy colleagues and family members.
  • D. A poor understanding of modern time-management tools.
Question 2 of 8
How do procrastinators often mistakenly view the concept of failure?
  • A. As an inevitable step in the learning process that should be embraced.
  • B. As a minor setback that is easily overcome with better scheduling.
  • C. As an absolute disaster that defines their overall self-worth.
  • D. As a useful tool for lowering the expectations of their peers.
Question 3 of 8
According to the text, why might a procrastinator be afraid of success?
  • A. Success often requires taking on uncompensated extra work.
  • B. Success forces them to adopt entirely new habits that disrupt their daily routines.
  • C. Success usually alienates them from their friends and family who are also procrastinators.
  • D. Success can make them feel vulnerable, put them in the spotlight, or reignite concerns about failing.
Question 4 of 8
How can procrastination function within personal relationships?
  • A. It is often used as a conscious tool to gain dominance over a partner.
  • B. It acts as a way to avoid the negative emotions associated with confronting conflict.
  • C. It helps individuals create stronger boundaries by limiting their availability.
  • D. It is primarily a way to test the loyalty and patience of friends and family.
Question 5 of 8
What is the difference between 'objective time' and 'subjective time' as described in the book?
  • A. Objective time is how time feels during a task, while subjective time is how time feels during leisure.
  • B. Objective time refers to exact numbers and dates, while subjective time is a person's individual perception of how time passes.
  • C. Objective time is strictly used in the business world, while subjective time is only used in personal relationships.
  • D. Objective time changes over the course of a person's life, while subjective time remains completely static.
Question 6 of 8
Which of the following is recommended for managing the psychological aspects of procrastination?
  • A. Ruminating on past mistakes to ensure they are never repeated.
  • B. Ignoring physical conditions like lack of sleep, as procrastination is purely mental.
  • C. Staying grounded in the present and letting go of unkind past memories.
  • D. Suppressing all negative emotions so they do not interfere with work.
Question 7 of 8
What approach does the book recommend for building a sustainable habit to overcome procrastination?
  • A. Attempting to completely overhaul all negative habits at once to build momentum.
  • B. Taking baby steps and tackling one small goal at a time to prevent overwhelm.
  • C. Relying strictly on external deadlines imposed by managers or partners.
  • D. Punishing yourself for minor setbacks to reinforce the seriousness of the goal.
Question 8 of 8
If you are in a relationship with a procrastinator, what action does the book warn against doing?
  • A. Nagging them or doing the tasks you asked them to do yourself.
  • B. Providing clear communication about your expectations and boundaries.
  • C. Rewarding their positive steps and small victories.
  • D. Listening to them express their feelings and underlying fears.

Procrastination — Full Chapter Overview

Procrastination Summary & Overview

Procrastination (1983) is a deep dive into procrastination – and why people struggle with it. Drawing on personal and professional experience, it offers a tested program and tips on how to conquer procrastination tendencies.

Who Should Listen to Procrastination?

  • People seeking to understand why they procrastinate
  • Compulsive procrastinators looking for ways to improve
  • Friends or family of procrastinators who want to help

About the Author: Jane B. Burka & Lenora M. Yuen

Jane B. Burka, PhD, is a psychologist and psychoanalyst who specializes in procrastination, work inhibition, creative blocks, mood disorders, relationship issues, grief, trauma, and life transitions. She runs a private practice and is also on the faculty at the Psychoanalytic Institute of Northern California. 

Lenora M. Yuen, PhD, is a psychologist based in California. She organized the first US procrastination treatment group at the University of California, Berkeley, along with Jane Burka.

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