This month, we've been looking at "procrastination" on Aliventures. If you missed any of the previous pieces on this, you can find them at the following links:
While I don't think procrastination is something that can be completely solved with a few tricks, I do think that if you're struggling with (very natural) starting inertia at the beginning of a writing session, or if you find yourself distracted midway, there are some simple, practical things you can do to get yourself moving again.
All of these take somewhere between a few seconds and a few minutes to put into action, and none of them are anything difficult or nasty (I'm really not a "take a cold shower" kind of person)!
#1: "Just Open the Document"
This is a great one for overcoming any reluctance to get going, especially if you're working on a long project like a book or novel. Tell yourself "I'll just open the document." (Or the webpage, app, notebook, or whatever it is you're using to write.)
Once you've got the document (webpage/app/etc) open and you're looking at your writing, or your plan, then you might well find that you're suddenly adding to it with barely a second thought.
#2: Set a Five Minute Timer
Sometimes, "open the document" isn't quite enough. Maybe you're starting on something new, or you've got part way but – as you stare at what you've already written – you're really not feeling any enthusiasm.
This is one of the situations in which I find timers really helpful. Set a timer on your phone for five minutes (or type into Google "set a timer for five minutes" and Google will start one for you). You can work on anything, however hard or boring it feels, for five minutes.
Once the five minutes is up, you may well find you're in the flow and ready to carry on. If so, great! And if not, that's a good sign that your brain might need a break before you start writing.
#3: Write Down Your Intentions
If you lose focus during a writing session – if you find yourself clicking around on the internet, or doodling in your notebook, or reaching for distractions -- then take a mental step back. Grab a piece of paper and write down what you're actually trying to accomplish.
Some tasks are particularly prone to distractions (e.g. researching online) and having a clear written statement about what you're planning to use your time for helps you stay focused, and helps you to be accountable to yourself.
#4: Brainstorm on Paper
If you're struggling to make progress and find yourself getting distracted, then sometimes changing your writing environment can help. The simplest, quickest way to do this is often to grab a notebook and pen and move into a different room (at home), or to a different seat (if you're in your local library / coffee shop).
Spend a bit of time brainstorming. Maybe you've hit a roadblock with your novel and you need to figure out how to move the plot forward, or maybe you're struggling to come up with an idea for your next blog post. Writing by hand -- even if it feels slower and less efficient than working on the computer – can help you push past this.
Small, simple changes can be enough to shift you out of "procrastination" mode and help you engage with your writing.
You might want to jot down a list of these four in your notebook or on a sticky note on your desk (I find that one of the hardest things when procrastinating is recognising that I'm doing it, and pulling myself out of it quickly).
Here's the list again:
#1: "Just Open the Document"
#2: Set a Five Minute Timer
#3: Write Down Your Intentions
#4: Brainstorm on Paper
Feel free to email me and let me know which of those works best for you. :-)
