The Procrastination Cure – Book Review
Introduction
I find procrastination to be a very interesting subject. Maybe because I have to struggle with it every now and then myself, and it is a habit I really hate. So, when I recently got my hands on a copy of The Procrastination Cure: 7 Steps to Stop Putting Life Off (Career Press), by Jeffery Combs, I read it with great interest.
In this review I’ll share some key take aways from it, together with my thoughts of the book overall.
But first, let’s start with this: Who is Jeffery Combs?
Jeffery’s previous production was not familiar to me. Based on my preliminary research, and my tendency to oversimplify, it seems that he is a guy walking along similar footsteps to Brian Tracy: Jeffery has a sales background, he is a personal coach, a public speaker, and he offers advice on many life areas. He has also written several books before this one.
Now, let’s have a look at this one more closely.
It All Starts with Motivation
Jeffery agrees with me that procrastination is interesting. Like most of us, he has had his own share of procrastination, which he has learned to control. He also mentions that he gained a lot of experience of procrastinating people while working with sales coaching. While doing this, he simultaneously noticed that there is not a lot written around the subject. Hence, he wrote The Procrastination Cure.
As Jeffery has had a pragmatic initial approach, one would expect more practical advice, and not so much theory, right? Well, yes and no. I would describe Jeffery’s writing style as motivational discussion. He touches theory, but does not go very deep. Instead, he uses a lot of time discussing about how people RALLY should commit to getting rid of this habit.
He does his best to motivate the reader to take action.
The word procrastination is by the way not so intuitive – where does it come from? On page 37 I finally got the answer:
The word procrastination comes from the latin verb procrastinare, meaning ‘to put off until tomorrow’.
Hey! I have actually thought about that one. Thanks Jeffery.
The Procrastination Cure: 6 Types of Procrastinators
The main part of the books is used by discussing 6 stereotypical procrastination “personalities”. I am quite sure almost everyone, with even some empathy abilities, recognize themselves, or some close one in one or several of them.
The different types of procrastinators, according to Jeffery Combs, are:
- The Neurotic Perfectionist: Someone who is very critical about quality, and strives so much for flawlessness, that they cannot even start a task if it is not a clear winner.
- The Big Deal Chaser: A person with the “big hat/no cattle” syndrome. Big Deal Chasers have big dreams but poor planning, which makes them leave things half-way, at best.
- The Chronic Worrier: Belongs to the group of people with a very indecisive personality. These people are often afraid to even start anything, as there might be some unknown risks related to changing it. Analysis paralysis people.
- The Rebellious Procrastinator: One example of the rebellious type is someone who is so talented that he doesn’t even train. Rebellious procrastinators don’t say no outright, but they leave things undone, sometimes on purpose.
- The Drama Addict: Someone who creates self-inflicted drama out of most situations, which inhibits production and consumes extra energy via raving emotions. Drama Addicts are typical last-minute performers, as last-minute performing gives the biggest “kick” to their system.
- The Angry Giver: A type that often seeks approval from others, and therefore accumulates so much to do, that they simply cannot perform on time.
For each of the different types Jeffery offers some suggestions on how to manage their specific type of procrastination. So, for example, talking about the neurotic perfectionist, Jeffry states the following:
I have learned that good is enough. Being the best is overrated. It’s a state you can never reach because there’s always someone more talented, or someone more intelligent.
The pieces of advice offered in these sections are fairly good.
Is The Procrastination Cure REALLY a Procrastination Cure?
As the book draws towards the end, Jeffery discusses the recovery process in general, and some useful habits for recovering procrastinators. The 9th chapter – Seven Habits of Recovering Procrastinators – was actually my favorite one. It contained explicit practical applications.
Summary
The Procrastination Cure is a good book about procrastination. It’s purpose is to help you get rid of your procrastination habit. It will be especially useful if you feel that your main problem is motivation.
If you are first and foremost interested in pragmatic advice – the how part – you might also want to consider The Now Habit, by Niel Fiore.
Both The Procrastination Cure and The Now Habit contain similar elements, however with their own emphasis.
Time Management Books. Please have a look at my personal collection of the best books around this subject. From each one I have got at least one really useful insight.
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