The Now Habit

About the Author

Neil Fiore is an accomplished psychologist, productivity trainer, and author who has dedicated his career to understanding and addressing the psychological factors that hinder personal and professional growth. With a background in psychology and a passion for helping individuals reach their full potential, Fiore has written extensively on the topics of procrastination, time management, and self-improvement. His most famous work, The Now Habit, is a testament to his deep understanding of the psychological underpinnings of procrastination and his innovative approach to overcoming it.

Fiore’s approach is unique in that it doesn’t simply focus on productivity for productivity’s sake. Instead, he dives deep into the emotional and cognitive patterns that lead to procrastination, offering a holistic view of how to change not just your habits, but your mindset. He believes that by addressing the root causes of procrastination, such as fear, anxiety, and perfectionism, individuals can unlock a more fulfilling and balanced life. His work has influenced countless readers and professionals, making him a respected figure in the fields of psychology and personal development.

Main Idea

The Now Habit by Neil Fiore is more than just a guide to beating procrastination; it is a comprehensive program that seeks to understand the root causes of this common issue and offers practical solutions for overcoming it. Fiore argues that procrastination is not a matter of laziness or poor time management. Instead, it is a symptom of deeper emotional and psychological issues, such as fear of failure, fear of success, perfectionism, and feelings of powerlessness. The book presents strategies not just to manage time better, but to change the way individuals think about work and play, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why We Procrastinate
3. Debunking the Myth: Procrastination Isn’t Laziness
4. Changing Your Relationship with Work
5. How to Overcome Procrastination
6. Strategy #1: Change How You Talk to Yourself
7. Strategy #2: Change How You Plan Your Week
8. Strategy #3: Change How You Approach Projects and Goals
9. Strategy #4: Learn to Focus While Working
10. Conclusion

Introduction

Neil Fiore opens The Now Habit by addressing the pervasive issue of procrastination. He challenges the conventional wisdom that procrastination is a simple failure of willpower or discipline. Instead, he frames it as a complex psychological issue that is deeply rooted in our fears, anxieties, and beliefs about ourselves. Fiore’s goal is to shift the reader’s perspective from viewing procrastination as a character flaw to understanding it as a signal that something deeper is going on.

He states, “Procrastination is not a time management problem; it is an emotional regulation problem.” This quote sets the tone for the entire book, as Fiore aims to help readers understand the emotional and psychological barriers that keep them from taking action.

Why We Procrastinate

In this section, Fiore dives into the reasons why people procrastinate. He argues that procrastination is often a way of coping with the stress and anxiety associated with work. The fear of not meeting expectations, whether those are self-imposed or come from others, can paralyze individuals and make them avoid tasks altogether. He debunks the myth that procrastination is simply about being lazy, explaining that it is more about avoiding discomfort.

“Procrastination is the coping mechanism we use to avoid the anxiety associated with starting or completing a task,” Fiore writes.

Fiore identifies several common psychological factors that contribute to procrastination: