On Procrastination and Being Kind to Yourself
Procrastination is my enemy. It keeps me from getting things done, forces me to work under extreme pressure and raises my stress level to unacceptable heights. And yet there are times when I live in a perpetual cycle of procrastination and overwhelm.
I’ve recently realized that part of the problem with procrastination may be that I’m too hard on myself. I like to do things perfectly–the first time, every time. As we all know, this just isn’t possible. And these high standards will often keep us from even getting started, keeping us stuck in that cycle of procrastination.
If you find that procrastination is a common state for you, try being kinder to yourself. Allow for initial less-than-perfect outcomes and just get started. Whatever it is you’re working on, whether it’s painting a room or writing your Great American Novel, if you don’t start you’ll never get anywhere. Allow yourself to start (and possibly fail) and when you do, be kind about the results. Your edges aren’t quite perfect? Touch them up or let them go. No one will notice them anyway. Your sentences or plot need work? So work on them. Editing is when the best writing reveals itself.
Don’t beat yourself up about a mediocre first attempt. And don’t let the thought of writing something less-than-perfect keep you from writing at all. First drafts are supposed to be crap, or at least they’re not supposed to be your best work. That’s why they’re first drafts. If you don’t get through the first draft, you’ll never produce a finished product. So the next time you’re feeling tempted to procrastinate, remind yourself that it’s OK to be imperfect, it’s OK to write a messy, unstructured, undeveloped first draft. Your best writing will flow out of the seeds you plant there.
Posted in the writing life, writing in general
August 11th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Getting started can be the hard part. I think you’re right, though, that’s due to fear of failure. Giving yourself permission to not do it perfectly on the first go would probably go a long way to help with getting started.
August 12th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Fortunately, I’m pretty good about NOT procrastinating when it comes to writing. If I have projects, I can generally get to them pretty quickly…not all that well, you understand, but, quickly. Now, what does interrupt writing is digitally fiddling. That is, Twitter, Facebook, link following, playing with software, etc. etc. That’s a problem.
However, I do procrastinate about tasks I don’t enjoy: Cut the grass, mop the floor, wash the cars, etc, etc. I can find a million other things to do.
Best Regards, Galen
Imagineering Fiction Blog
August 12th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Great post Ami!
I procrastinate for a variety of reasons. Perfectionism is one, sometimes. Distraction and laziness are two other reasons. Finally, procrastination creates situations where one must save the day.
The pressure to get the job done can create an adrenaline rush. I might be irritating to those closest to me (not good) but I am focused and when done, I feel great! I try to avoid falling into this trap though.
Preston
August 13th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Reluctant – I don’t think everyone is held back from starting by a fear of failure, but I do I think a lot of us fear failure more than we know.
Galen – That’s great! I’m definitely less likely to procrastinate when the project excites me. But if a project doesn’t excite me or I’m not sure where it’s headed (or where I want to take it) anything, including laundry, dishes and cutting the grass, looks like a great Plan B.
Preston – Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment. I have to admit that I kind of like that adrenaline rush of 11th hour project completion. I try not to let things get that far, though, because I know in those cases I can’t always put forth my best work.