Writing Procrastination
Procrastination can often come hand-in-hand with a writing career, or being self-employed even. Sometimes we avoid work because we are afraid of failure, overwhelmed by the immensity of the work or perhaps we are actually afraid of success - sounds weird, I know, but it is actually a thing. Sometimes procrastination comes in because the chore at hand may not be an enjoyable one, while a more enjoyable activity looms in your mind. Perhaps your procrastination comes from having fare too many ideas or opportunities and you just don't know where to start.
There are times when we are so buried in ideas we just have to hash them out. Make a coffee and start talking to the walls, if you have to - figure out what your current goals are and write down any ideas you have already mentally created. Writing down these random thoughts can help you prioritize and organize what you see on the page(s). Jotting down thoughts as they come to you can help ease stress loads created by the same thoughts going round and round in your mind. This constant writing down notes also ensures that you are not forgetting precious stories, book ideas, article topics or whatever. Be sure to save those notes and go through them periodically.
Procrastination is not always caused by lack of self-discipline or tenacity. Sometimes as writers we need to evolve as people, attain more experiences, or develop new skills in order to take an idea where we feel it needs to go. Occasionally we have a very important project that ends up getting set aside numerous times because things come up that take precedence. Maybe we just need to refresh our own batteries, and we all know that exhaustion is such a frustrating experience.
As far as developing self-discipline, it is really quite important to set a target. So once you have your mind cleared, charged your batteries and you've written the ideas, activities or storylines out in your head. Look them over and take notes about the following:
Which do you feel has the best market potential at this time or in the near future?
Who do you think the reader will be?
Who do you think the reader will be?
How can you reach out to them with your storyline?
What will appeal to your market and how can you zero in on that?
Take a break and let your mind rest. Come back with a coffee and relax. There is no pressure. Decide on the one you wish to compile first, you might base this on a deadline, or on how easy it is to accomplish. Completing even the smallest project is quite therapeutic because it helps get you out of any emotional ruts, gives you a sense of accomplishment and starts a positive momentum in your work life.
Whatever you have decided to work on first, set a deadline and decide how you will reach it. For instance you may have the goal of doing 3 interviews with experts in the genre of your book or its characters... determine the steps necessary to make this possible, including preparation for the interviews and plans for transportation or contingency plans. Get a day-timer going so you schedule your time, and allot a specific time frame to dedicate to the project at hand.
When you are self employed it is important to be self disciplined in utilizing that allotted time efficiently. Don't answer the phone, in fact turn the volume off if you are able. Turn off the radio or TV. Set some mundane calming music on and get to work for that half hour of writing a day that you have set yourself.
Keep that schedule and don't let anything except emergencies keep you from it. Tell people you can't visit, you are busy. Don't answer the door -put a sign up if you have to saying you are at work do not disturb.
Set yourself up for positive results. Be sure to choose a time that you know is creatively the best time for you. Wear something super cozy, no one is looking. Have a thermos of your refreshment available so you don't have to get up often. Make sure the dogs have had a bathroom break before you begin writing.
And finally - Get to work. If you have scheduled in just one day at a certain time. Do it. If you can do every day for 20 minutes. Do it. Do it Do it... do it, do it. lol just do it. Don't let procrastination eradicate your dreams, your future, your possibilities. Embrace the fear - we all feel it, just accept it and do it anyway. Set your alarm early if you have to, and just do it.
