Contents

Introduction

Procrastination: An Ongoing Challenge that You Can Meet

Self-Mastery: A Prime Solution to Procrastination

The Do-It-Now Way

What to Expect

chapter 1: Procrastination’s Web

What Is Procrastination?

Getting Off Procrastination’s Web

Experimenting with a Procrastination Log

Record, Plan, Assess: Three Steps to Breaking a Procrastination Habit

chapter 2: Eight Actions to Combat Procrastination

Four Positive Actions: The Language of Choice, Commitment, Challenge, and Change

Language of Choice

Language of Commitment

Language of Challenge

Language of Change

Three Behavioral Action Strategies

To-Do List Techniques

The Bits-and-Pieces Approach

The Five-Minute Plan

The Rewards Experiment

chapter 3: How to Stop Dodging Discomfort

The Amphibian Way: Procrastination by Default

PURRRRS: A Tool for Short-Circuiting Procrastination

Controlling Distractions

Benefit Analysis: A Tool for Choosing Action over Procrastination

chapter 4: Pitting Reason Against Procrastination Thinking

Harnessing the Spirit of Reason

Challenging the Contradictions in Procrastination Thinking, Feelings, and Behaviors

Contingency Mañana Thinking and Procrastination

Daydreaming and Fantasizing

chapter 5: Getting Beyond Procrastination Obstacles

Setting the Groundwork for Success

Following Through Without Stopping Midstream

Don’t Let Test Anxiety Get the Best of You

chapter 6: Combatting Procrastination with Wisdom

Taking a Fantasy Journey with the Spirit of Wisdom

chapter 7: Using Your Executive Skills Effectively

1. Set a Direction

2. Prepare an Action Plan

3. Organize for Action

4. Implement Your Plan

5. Review and Revise

chapter 8: Reducing Stress and Optimizing Performances

How Stress Strikes

Practicing Meditation

Deep Breathing

Relaxing with Nature

The Ready, Relax, Set, Go Technique

chapter 9: Simplifying Your Decisions

Emotions in Decision Making: The Horse and the Rider

When Horse and Rider Are in Conflict

The Ordering-of-Choice Method

Practice Decision Making

Experiment: Put Yourself in Charge

chapter 10: Using Time Effectively

Boosting Productive Actions with Time Estimation and Planning

The Easy-to-Difficult Sequencing Experiment

Adjusting Your Inner Clock

chapter 11: Building on Your Gains

Keeping on Track

Exercising Your Positive Values

Finding a Career Direction

Developing Career Choice Confidence

chapter 12: Twelve Things to Know Before College

1. Build on Your Strengths

2. Have Faith in Yourself

3. Study with Flexibility

4. Diary of a Successful Student

5. Time Yourself for Success

6. Strike Out Your Procrastination Heavy Hitter

7. Stay the Course

8. Pit Conscientiousness Against Procrastination

9. Treat Procrastination with Compassion

10. Play a Game with Procrastination

11. Think Proactively

12. Know Yourself

Believe in Yourself

Acknowledgments