Un-Procrastination: Interview with Leo Babauta

I'm excited to share with you, my interview with Leo Babauta on his new book, The Little Guide to Un-Procrastination. I've read the book and found it to be just what I needed.

I would say if you need a boost it's like a kick in the pants but since joining the A-list Blogger Club and getting to know Leo better, I'd say Leo's new book is more like a gentle breeze on a summer day.

Let's get started!

1. Can you please introduce yourself for readers who don’t know you?

 Leo: Sure! I'm Leo Babauta, author of ZenHabits.net and mnmlist.com, along with a few books on simplicity. My blog has more than 200K readers, and I lead a simple life with my wife Eva and six kids.

2. What can readers hope to gain from your new book Un-Procrastination? Tell us about it.

Leo: I share a simple method that has helped me to (mostly) overcome a problem that we all struggle with — procrastination. And I look at the main problems that keep people from overcoming this problem, and some strategies for beating those problems.

3. Who inspires you and why?

Leo: Oh my. I'm inspired by so much. People doing amazing things. People with exciting ideas. People challenging old ideas. People overcoming great challenges. People who come together to help each other. Beautiful writing and art and music. Nature, and simplicity. My wife, my mom, my grandmother, my sisters, my kids.

4. What books are you currently reading?

Leo: I mostly read novels — I get enough non-fiction online. Right now I'm reading a tattered old copy of "The World to Come" by Dara Horn.

5. Can you share your favorite blogs unrelated to work? Blogs related to being an online entrepreneur?

Leo: I love Seth Godin, 37Signals, Jonathan Fields, Chris Guillebeau, Derek Sivers, among others.

6. Tell us an important lesson or two you have learned from your kids? 

Leo: Humility. Perspective. Enthusiasm for life.

7. How has uncopywriting your paid content helped your sales?

Leo: Uncopyright simply removes a major traditional barrier for sharing ideas. When this barrier is removed, people are much more likely to share my work with others, and thus my work spreads much more rapidly if it's any good. Spreading my work to people who've never heard of me is the best kind of advertising there is.

8. How do you use Twitter?

Leo: Minimally. I usually tweet just once or twice a day, if that, and only if I have something worth saying or sharing — something interesting, useful, funny, valuable. I don't stay connected — a couple times a day, I read replies and then get out.

9. Do you have an established time when you stop working for the day?

Leo: I did at one time, but these days my workday is much looser. I work in bursts as I get excited and take breaks in between. When I feel I've worked enough and want to spend time with my beautiful wife or amazing kids, I stop working.

The Little Guide to Un-Procrastination is a small investment for great advice and insight from one of the most admired entrepreneurs online. 

I  would  love if you checked  out my guest post, 21 Tips to Release Self-Neglect and Love Yourself in Action at "Tiny Buddha."

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Betsy at Zen Mama April 15, 2011, 10:53 am

    I always love everything Leo has to say! Thanks for the recommendation of his new book.

  • Joy April 15, 2011, 6:28 pm

    Thank you for a wonderful itnerview, Tess..I think “Un-Procrastination” is probably what I *need* some times…

  • Angela Artemis April 15, 2011, 7:14 pm

    Great interview Tess. It’s always refreshing to hear from Leo. I love the title of his book too. It sounds so much better than: Stop Procrastinating Now!

  • Galen Pearl April 16, 2011, 11:08 am

    Like others, I’m always interested in what Leo has to say, so thanks for a great interview.

  • Sandra / Always Well Within April 16, 2011, 6:52 pm

    I appreciate Leo’s dedication to simplicity and the way he elegantly guides others in the same direction. I don’t get how blogs on online entrepreneurship aren’t related to work though! Am I missing a secret joke? I find Leo’s thoughts on “uncopyright” interesting too. Thanks, Tess.

  • Peggy Nolan April 17, 2011, 6:12 pm

    I’m such a big fan of Leo’s…and what a great way to get to know him better than through your blog Tess!

    Thank you!!

    xo
    Peggy

  • Patricia April 18, 2011, 1:35 pm

    A very good interview
    I am not much of a procrastinator – more driven – so I find it interesting that so many folks in the world have this as a rather major problem. I just reviewed another new book about procrastination on my blog site – and I am giving away a copy on the 28th of this month.

  • Megan "JoyGirl!" Bord April 18, 2011, 2:49 pm

    I’m not proud to say this, but I procrastinated on reading this post! Egads… That being said, I loved it. I started reading Leo’s blog five years ago and found so many of his tips useful. Plus, he’s a pretty humble dude. I love the idea of un-copywriting. I think there’s something really powerful about sharing good ideas freely, as Leo said. Too many people use laws and litigation out of fear — fear that they won’t “get theirs” or that others will steal from them. Well, I think we get what we believe in. Sharing ideas freely is a pretty powerful stance in my book. Way to be! And I’ll work on not procrastinating as much next time…

  • Jannie Funster April 18, 2011, 8:15 pm

    Since I recently started reading Real Books again “The World To Come” sounds like it would hold some nice surprises within.

    200K readers, and 6 kids sounds like a very nice, and busy life!!

    He sounds very giving, like you Tess, and that brings real joy and peace.

    xoxo

  • Bryce April 19, 2011, 9:34 am

    I am a big fan of Leo. His work on un-procrastination is like a breath of fresh air on an otherwise over hashed, over-spun topic.

  • Tatianna April 20, 2011, 2:55 am

    Hi Tess 🙂 Thank you so much for such a great interview. Your website is so inspiring and so positive, I love stopping by here. I use to be a huge procrastinator, but I have been moving become much better at not putting things for later. If it must get done, now is better than soon!

  • Cathy | Treatment Talk April 25, 2011, 3:30 pm

    Hi Tess ~ That was a wonderful interview with Leo. He is such an inspiration and his content is so worth reading. It is important to understand why we procrastinate, and how can we improve, because it can be such a hinderance to being productive. Thanks.

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