“Structured procrastination.” A delicious phrase coined by John Perry in Don’t But This Book Now! for merely faffing. Without really making you feel guilty he lists a number of reasons why structured procrastination is absolutely acceptable and an activity that should be indulged in as often as possible—It makes one a more productive and better human being. Having said that he explores the reasons for procrastination. One of the main reasons is to be a perfectionist but he puts it so nicely, “You have to get into the habit of forcing yourself to analyze, at the time you accept a task, the costs and benefits of doing a less-than perfect job.” He adds, “The system of breaking tasks down into small increments, and giving yourself a good pat on the back for achieving each of them, has solid credentials.” He offers some splendid advice on how to break the spell browsing incessantly on the internet or watching a mindless programme on the television. (Of the computer he says, “it is also a bane for the procrastinator, because it makes sinking time in utterly worthless pursuits tempting and easy. The big problems are coping with email and surfing the Web.”) The book is an expansion of an earlier essay called “Structured Procrastination” for which John Perry (who’s a Professor of Philosophy at Stanford) won the Ig Nobel Prize at Harvard University. Surprisingly the essays in this slim volume help in boosting one’s confidence. As one of the blurbs on the book cover says that you are tempted to follow the strategies (making lists) discussed to overcome procrastination. It is time well spent in reading Don’t Buy This Book Now!