The other day a writer confessed to me that she hadn’t been writing lately. I know we all need some time away from the keyboard, but I sensed her problem ran deeper. After asking some probing questions, I learned that she put off sitting down to write because of the deadly twins of procrastination and perfectionism.
A lot of writers have the same problem. If you don’t write, you can’t finish. If you don’t finish, you can’t submit. If you don’t submit, you can’t be rejected.
On the other hand, if you don’t write and submit, you can’t be published.
Here are some tips to get you past the blinking cursor.
- Recognize that nothing will ever be perfect
- Strive for excellence, not perfection
- If you’re seriously blocked, work on a project that doesn’t have to be perfect
- Internet articles and blog posts can be of lower quality than those you submit to editors and agents
- Give yourself the freedom to write a sloppy first draft
- Send your inner editor on vacation
- Set a timer and write non-stop for X number of minutes
- Challenge someone to a word war
- Try using the Write or Die software
- Try dictating your work instead of typing
- Use your computer to make an audio file and have someone transcribe it or transcribe it yourself
- Set small goals
- Reward yourself when you reach each goal
- Set a deadline
- Announce your deadline to friends and family
- Find a writing coach or mentor if your problem is severe
Try one of these methods the next time that the deadly twins of procrastination and perfectionism strikes.
What is your favorite method to overcome these deadly twins? Leave a comment and share.
Write on,
Lynn
3 Comments to 'Are You Plagued By The Deadly Twins Of Procrastination And Perfectionism?'
June 16, 2010
Oh boy, do I suffer from these deadly twins! Especially when it comes to updating my blog.
I’m a freelance copyeditor by profession, but procrastination seems to strike everywhere lately. Maybe it’s the phase of the moon?
The only thing that seems to motivate me lately is deadlines (both client- and self-imposed).
Would love to hear how others have overcome P&P!
Cassie Tuttle recently posted..Mini Grammar Lesson: Does “number of” take a plural or singular verb?
June 17, 2010
Hi Cassie,
I’ve said that if it weren’t for deadlines nothing would get done. A friend said, “Motivation? I ask myself if I want to pay my mortgage.”
June 17, 2010
Yes, and YES! The thing is, the project (writing or otherwise) is perfect in your imagination as long as you don’t start it. It’s a feeling of “I can’t fail if I never start.” When the truth is, you already fail if you DON’T start. Perfection IS highly overrated, and takes too much work. I had to accept that I’m not perfect, and perfect people are boring and make me feel inadequate. Who needs that? Even my writing reflects that non-perfection, LOL! The writing is sloppy and I’m no longer keeping my notebook pristine, like I used to when I first started writing. I’ll call it progress
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