Procrastination isn’t about poor time management, it’s about how you feel about your work and yourself. In The Now Habit , Dr. Neil Fiore offers a compassionate, step-by-step program to break the cycle of delay and guilt. Through tools like the Unschedule and the 20-Minute Dash, you’ll learn to start tasks easily, stay focused, and enjoy guilt-free play—all while getting more done.
The Now Habit by Dr. Neil Fiore is a highly practical and psychologically insightful guide to overcoming procrastination—not through willpower or guilt, but through strategic habit formation and mindset shifts.
Unlike many productivity books that focus on time management alone, The Now Habit dives deep into the emotional and psychological roots of procrastination , such as fear of failure, perfectionism, self-doubt, and the pressure to be “perfect.” Fiore, a psychologist and performance coach, argues that procrastination is often a response to overwhelming expectations and an internalized belief that we’re not good enough unless we’re working non-stop.
At the core of the book is the idea that procrastination is not laziness—it’s avoidance driven by anxiety . The solution isn’t pushing harder; it’s creating a sustainable system that allows you to work efficiently while still enjoying guilt-free rest and play.
Fiore introduces a powerful framework called the “Unschedule” , a weekly planning tool designed to:
One of the most effective strategies he teaches is the “20-Minute Dash” —a technique where you commit to working on a task for just 20 minutes. Often, this short burst of focused effort breaks the mental resistance and leads to extended productive periods.
Another key concept is the “Concentrated Work Period” , which encourages working in high-energy blocks rather than marathon sessions. This method increases efficiency and reduces burnout by aligning work with natural attention cycles.
Fiore also emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and celebrating progress , rather than punishing yourself for missed goals. He encourages readers to shift from a “never enough” mindset to one of self-trust and accomplishment.
Throughout the book, Fiore includes real-life examples, exercises, and reflection questions to help readers identify their unique patterns of procrastination and replace them with empowering habits.
The Now Habit is especially useful for students, professionals, creatives, and anyone who struggles with getting started, staying consistent, or balancing productivity with personal well-being.
By focusing on habit-building, mindset, and emotional resilience , this book offers a refreshing alternative to traditional productivity advice—one that helps you stop procrastinating, enjoy your work more, and reclaim your free time without guilt.