Great little book by a Stanford philosophy professor that sprung out of an essay he wrote (see http://www.structuredprocrastination.com for what essentially became the first chapter). He explores how a better understanding of your own tendencies can not only help you feel a bit better about yourself, but can also be used to your own advantage -- using "structured procrastination" to outsmart yourself. Encouraging, helpful, funny, and relevant, with lots of examples from academia. (I think probably 80% of grad students would benefit from reading this... and the other 20% would benefit from understanding their colleagues better. :)

Interesting look into the world of procrastination

Delightful: witty, imminently readable, and I had to turn to the dust jacket to be sure my husband wasn't the author. Perry describes how procrastinators can be successful by employing his process of "structured procrastination".

The book isn't lengthy but if you are a procrastinator (or married to one, or both!) then you should pick this book up ASAP. That way it can eventually make its way back to the top of your "to be read" stack of books.

a silly little book for silly little people like me :)

I certainly feel a little more validated as a procrastinator. I have gotten things done in my life. I do get things done in my life. Just not always in the order that would seem to put me out of the category of 'procrastinator.' And as I look at my desk, I realize that I am also a horizontal organizer. I never even thought about the difference it makes. Perry picks up on a lot of nuances about the life of a procrastinator; though he makes it clear that some forms of procrastination are extreme and may be harmful, which I think is an important distinction. This is a great little book that does not require you to be a professional philosopher, and might even make you feel a little bit better about the piles of stuff on your desk.

Leuk, kort boek over uitstelgedrag. Moest regelmatig hardop lachen omdat het zó herkenbaar was. Ter illustratie: ik moet eigenlijk boodschappen doen want de supermarkt gaat zo dicht, dus ik voel me nu zeer gemotiveerd om deze review op dit moment te schrijven. 'Structured procrastination' heet dat, weet ik nu. Niet echt een zelfhulpboek om uitstelgedrag te verminderen, maar wel om je minder slecht te voelen over je uitstelgedrag.

I am a structured procrastinator. All those things I get accomplished each day? That's me being busy to avoid doing something else. This book is funny and spot-on! If you constantly feel guilty about putting things off until you panic and get it done right before the due date, then read this book. It won't solve the problem... but it will make you feel better.

Perry is clever, funny, and captures the experience of being a procrastinator perfectly. This book is unlikely to cure your procrastinating ways, but it might help you manage the bad habit a little and it’s an enjoyable read (or listen, in my case).