What's more difficult than making an effort when you're paralyzed by laziness? It may seem strange, but starting with a good book can be a game-changer. Unlike a coach, these excellent works will not harass you about your to-do-list but rather will give you the keys to overcoming procrastination and transforming small everyday details into habits that will change your life. Beyond simple motivational speech, through these texts, you will learn more about the reasons for your own tendency to squat on the couch and languish. Instead of bingeing on series, with these Books you will learn how to achieve your goals, and you will have the satisfaction of seeing yourself change for the better, step by step.
7 Books That Will Help You Overcome Laziness and Procrastination
1. The 7 habits of those who achieve everything they do de Stephen Covey
Published in 1989, this classic presents the key principles for long-term success, both personally and professionally. Stephen Covey rules out temporary solutions and instead shows how to develop reflexes like proactivity while better prioritizing our priorities. The emphasis is on psychological aspects, on personal balance, and coaching trends are put aside, which makes this book as relevant today as when it was released. There's nothing like Stephen Covey's practical advice for getting out of procrastination and making steady progress that will build a solid foundation for effective, lasting change.
2. A little thing can change everything by James Clear
The publication ofA little thing can change everything in 2019 has completely changed the way we fight against procrastination. James Clear explores in detail how our habits form and shows the power that small but consistent changes can have. It encourages us to take action in our daily lives with small exercises, integrated gradually, which makes it easier to form good habits. Through a series of gripping anecdotes and the explanation of certain practices, this inspiring book pushes us to transform our lives. So let's go, we gain a little momentum and we overcome the obstacles!
3. The Instinct of Will de Kelly McGonigal
Kelly McGonigal, psychologist at Stanford, offers through The Instinct of Will a fascinating vision of self-control techniques to overcome one's own blockages. Drawing on neuroscience and the concept of mindfulness, it offers practical exercises that allow us to replace our bad reflexes with good habits. If you are haunted by certain temptations or you cannot stick to your goals, this book represents a valuable toolbox to reinforce self-discipline techniques.
4. Swallow the toad ! de Brian Tracy
Swallow the toad! by Brian Tracy, tackles procrastination head on. The main idea? Start your day with the hardest task – eating the damn frog – and the rest will seem easier. Brian Tracy gives, with great frankness, 21 practical tips for better ordering your priorities, being more efficient and better managing your time. This is the perfect book for those who are having trouble getting started. You will find very practical strategies to stop procrastinating and finally build your success, without sugarcoating the harsh reality of working on yourself.
5. Deep Work by Cal Newport
This book published in 2016 was written by Cal Newport in response to the forms of superficial distractions that impact life in the digital age. For Cal Newport, the key to success lies not in our ability to multitask, but in our ability to dedicate focused, uninterrupted time to challenging work. Using strategies based on a body of research, it helps us improve our concentration and minimize distraction. The result is significant and lasting changes in no time. If you're constantly feeling caught in the middle and struggling to tackle larger tasks, Cal Newport's guide will show you how eliminating the most tedious tasks leads to total success.
6. The Power of Now d'Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle's book, The Power of Nowalthough originally published in 1997, remains an essential guide to learning to live… in the present moment. Through spiritual concepts and the presentation of mindfulness practices, Eckhart Tolle shows how to free yourself from superfluous thoughts and journey towards peace and clarity. He particularly emphasizes welcoming the present moment, rather than looking to the past or the future, and in this, his book is an absolutely necessary antidote to our mental exhaustion. This is a good book if you need a break, to reconnect with yourself, and to recollect yourself in the joy of the present moment.
7. The War of Art de Steven Pressfield
With this book, you will no longer have excuses, your internal blockages will give way, and you will finally dare to embrace your creative potential. Whether you're trying to write, starting a project, or facing a major life change, Steven Pressfield shows how a force he calls “Resistance” stands in the way of our effectiveness. In a clever mix of stupidity and flashes of genius, he explains to us how to overcome this inner critical force. It's the ultimate boost to our creativity, a welcome boost for anyone who's tired of self-doubt and procrastination.
Originally published on GQ India
