By Dianna Brodine, vice president, editorial, PostPress

It’s 6:56 p.m. I started this article much earlier this afternoon. Well, I opened a new document in Microsoft Word, wrote the title, made sure my byline looked good…

And then time got away from me. The office phone wouldn’t stop ringing, there were questions about the contract for an upcoming event and we added four pages to this magazine, which required some rearranging. Then there was a text from one of my daughters, I remembered to call the bank and I talked my coworkers into volunteering at a community event later this week. When I finally re-opened the tab for this article, it was time to go home. Deadlines, however, wait for no woman, so here I am with a laptop on my legs while a football game plays on the tv in the background. The topic for this page seemed obvious.

In this issue’s Booklist, I’ve (finally) organized three books about why we procrastinate and what we can do about it. I hope you make the time to pick one up. Oh… and don’t forget to call the bank.

Immediate Action: A 7-Day Plan to Overcome Procrastination and Regain Your Motivation
Author: Thibaut Meurisse
Published: July 7, 2021

Even the most productive people procrastinate. But if you find yourself procrastinating more than is good for you, it might be time to do something about it. In this short practical guide, you’ll discover how to deal with procrastination more effectively. More specifically, learn how to pinpoint the precise reasons you procrastinate (it’s not always what you think); develop a simple action plan to overcome your natural tendency to procrastinate; eliminate distractions and build laser-sharp focus, and much more. You’ll be provided with simple exercises to help you understand procrastination better and overcome it. At the end of the seven days, you’ll be equipped with a simple yet effective system to help you complete your most important tasks.

Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time
Author: Brian Tracy
Published: April 17, 2017

There just isn’t enough time for everything on our to-do list – and there never will be. Successful people don’t try to do everything. They learn to focus on the most important tasks and make sure those get done. They eat their frogs.

There’s an old saying that if the first thing you do each morning is eat a live frog, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’re done with the worst thing you’ll have to do all day. For Tracy, eating a frog is a metaphor for tackling your most challenging task. Eat That Frog! shows you how to organize each day so you can zero in on these critical tasks and accomplish them efficiently and effectively.

The Science of Getting Started: How to Beat Procrastination, Summon Productivity, and Stop Self-Sabotage
Author: Patrick King
Published: May 18, 2019

The Science of Getting Started is a deep dive into our tendency to push things until the last minute possible. It uncovers the biological and evolutionary science behind procrastination, and how we can beat these instinctual drives to triumph in our career and personal life. Best of all, it’s a book of scientific solutions boiled down to everyday usefulness. King’s writing draws of a variety of sources, from scientific research, academic experience, coaching, and real-life experience. He’ll provide a scientific and biological overview of your procrastination habit; warning signs to monitor your work ethic; psychological tactics to trigger your brain to productivity; how to structure and schedule your life to safeguard against procrastination and more.