Procrastination is something most of us have wrestled with at one time or another, some more than others. I haven’t met a writer yet that hasn’t stared down this unwelcome demon.
WHY DO WE GET WORKED UP ABOUT PROCRASTINATION?
We feel the clock ticking, our dreams slipping through our fingers, surrounded by unfinished manuscripts, unexplored ideas, half sentences.
WE FEAR WE WON’T GET IT DONE – GET OUT WHAT IT IS WE NEED TO SAY BEFORE ITS TOO LATE
The ticking clock breathes down our neck with more intensity with each passing year. The pressure is on. Or so we think.
WHAT IF WE STEPPED BACK
Stepped back and took a deep breath. Let go of the pressure. Let go of the need to finish, finish, finish or write, write, write. Perhaps procrastination is more our psyche’s way of telling us to lay low for awhile and allow the ideas to percolate – to not push so hard – to remember to live life as in the living we gain much needed fodder for our writing.
THE VOICES IN OUR HEAD
The angry, nagging words that swirl around inside our minds when we’re procrastinating do more harm than the non-writing. Next time you feel that angst over procrastination, listen to and if possible write down what you are saying to yourself. If you’re like me, you’re more abusive to yourself than all of your abusive relatives combined have ever been to you!
WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO GO TO WORK? There’s a tyrant living in your head. Most of us want nothing more in those moments than to say “screw you, I’m outta here”.
CATCH YOURSELF IN THE ACT
Pay attention to those voices. Tell them to be quiet. Pat yourself on the back instead. Take yourself out for a cup of coffee or a nice long walk. Love yourself. You’ll get back to writing when you’re more relaxed. You always do.
