{"id":42963,"date":"2016-09-02T10:38:10","date_gmt":"2016-09-02T18:38:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=42963"},"modified":"2017-05-27T08:48:29","modified_gmt":"2017-05-27T16:48:29","slug":"how-to-procrastinate-less-and-write-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/how-to-procrastinate-less-and-write-more\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Procrastinate Less and Write More"},"content":{"rendered":"
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<\/p>\n

Procrastination is the enemy. Everyone knows it, and that goes for the stubborn soul who insists that the white-hot pressure of a last-minute completion makes his or her work better. It does not.<\/span><\/p>\n

Procrastination is fighting a war against your momentum, your productivity, and your sanity.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Easy Target<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Everyone procrastinates, but writers are especially afflicted. We <\/span>all<\/span> do it for different reasons: there are those crazy busy periods, overbooked with projects to the extent that we feel forced to push assignments to the next day, next week or next month. <\/span><\/p>\n

Then there are those jobs that we don\u2019t only want to put off, but avoid altogether. There are also projects that bore, projects<\/span> <\/b>that don\u2019t pay, and projects that insult. Maybe you fear a lack of expertise in a topic area, which creates anxiety about the end result. <\/span><\/p>\n

Freelance writers<\/span> tend to put off starting a job when the client\u2019s instructions are so vague that I hardly know where to begin anyway. Let\u2019s face it, instructions clouded by poor communication, language barriers, time zone delays, or even the client\u2019s own confusion can cause a writer to move on to something less convoluted, where we\u2019re more certain of our own success.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, we might delay the writing activity that requires intense concentration because it\u2019s so hard to find that single-minded, \u201csweet spot\u201d state of mind necessary for crafting the inspiring opening sentence.<\/span><\/p>\n

Put simply, procrastination brings unnecessary stress to daily life. Fortunately, it\u2019s easy to combat, but it\u2019ll take applied effort to weed it out for good. <\/span><\/p>\n

Searching for the Remedy<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

What has to be<\/span> figure<\/span>d<\/span> out <\/span>first, is<\/span> what triggers your procrastinator self. Boredom? Confusion? Disappointment? Be adequately in tune with yourself, so that you might sense the signals and then ward off the inevitable delay (in starting <\/span>and<\/i><\/span> finishing).<\/span><\/p>\n

Next, consider the value of being obligated to an appointment, then make one with yourself! Time blocking is an essential practice that keeps a writer from wandering aimlessly across various jobs, and it forces focus on one project at a time, for a <\/span>limited period.<\/span> Need to create 500 words of content by 5pm? Dedicate a healthy span of minutes by marking your calendar: once it\u2019s set, there\u2019s a real obligation in play.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another method to force focus is to disconnect from wifi. (Try it and believe.) With multiple browsers open (at least one of which is likely social media), there\u2019s no way to avoid distractions from a job at hand. It\u2019s amazing how the \u201cblinders\u201d created by canceling out web displays ups the productivity quotient (and keep you from resorting to procrastination). <\/span><\/p>\n

How about an attitude adjustment via re-evaluation of existing projects? Spend 5 minutes re-assessing each current assignment, with the goal of identifying even the smallest nugget of interest or engagement. Then, throw questions at each assignment: start with the basics of \u201cwhy, when, who, what\u201d then move to more in-depth \u201cattacks\u201d like \u201cFor what?\u201d and \u201cTo what end?\u201d I like to ask a job how it\u2019s going to lead to the <\/span>next<\/i><\/span> job; after all, who isn\u2019t in hot pursuit of more work? <\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a tough one: take stock of how your life habits sabotage your work. Then, change them! Commit to this short-term goal: for one week, get up 30 minutes earlier than normal. I guarantee that the relief you feel from padding the work day with 30 precious minutes will motivate you to become more of a morning person. Besides, sleeping in is just another form of procrastination, yes? <\/span><\/p>\n

One last vital suggestion is to nail down the job parameters. Once I\u2019m truly clear on basics of content, purpose, and deadline, even the most objectionable project becomes less daunting\u2014and that realization prompts me to stop procrastinating and to go to work!<\/span><\/p>\n

The True Practice Session<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

The ultimate cure for writer\u2019s procrastination is simply to WRITE, so it\u2019s time to<\/span> <\/b>practice what I preach. Follow through\u2014and that means now, not later. <\/span><\/p>\n

First, move somewhere with few distractions and have at the ready your favorite way to write (keyboard, pencil and paper, whatever). Start with the letter \u201cA\u201d and work your way through the alphabet by stating a word, out loud, that begins with each letter (it\u2019s all about action, so actually <\/span>speaking<\/i><\/span> is valuable). <\/span><\/p>\n

It might go something like this: \u201cArt, ball, cane, dart, envelope\u2026\u201d Wait until you sense a connection between two spoken words, then stop and write 4 full sentences about it, noting that no matter how small the association may be, there\u2019s material there (otherwise your brain wouldn\u2019t have handed you those particular words in sequence). Afterwards, pick up where you left off (\u201cfan, gargoyle, hijab\u201d) and repeat the exercise. In the spirit of time blocking and forced focus, keep at it until you\u2019ve been writing for… <\/span>as long as you can.<\/span><\/p>\n

Writing may be both a pain in the neck and an enlightening, enriching experience. Use the tips and go for the latter!<\/span><\/p>\n

———————-<\/p>\n

Regine Ward is a <\/span>freelance writer\/blogger and tutor at <\/span>Do My Homework Online<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span>. Her main values are lifelong learning, helping people become the best versions of themselves and constant self-improvement. In her free time Regine travels, reads, drinks coffee and bakes cookies. Find her on <\/span>Twitter<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span> or <\/span>Facebook<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Procrastination is the enemy. Everyone knows it, and that goes for the stubborn soul who insists that the white-hot pressure of a last-minute completion makes his or her work better. It does not. Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11622,"featured_media":43858,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[45,17,30,6],"tags":[5305,5440,5439,5438,66,186,4629],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Procrastinate Less and Write More<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Procrastination is the enemy. Everyone knows it, and that goes for the stubborn soul who insists that the white-hot pressure of a last-minute completion makes his or her work better. 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