The sad part of the whole scene is that I'm not even sure I believe myself.
Yeah, I'm sitting in front of the computer, and I did have the word processing program open (it was long ago minimized), but now the Internet is open. That's right, I've been surfing for the last hour.
Crap!
It's really been three hours!
I haven't even written one word.
Does this sound familiar? Maybe a little too familiar, right?
It's not writer's block causing the problem. I've got too many ideas for that--well, maybe that is a problem, but it will have to wait until another day.
So what's my problem?
PROCRASTINATION!!!
It's such an ugly word, but it's an ugly fact.
I waste a lot of my writing time.
But why do I, or anyone else for that matter, procrastinate?
Here are some of the reasons people, including myself, procrastinate.
The job's too difficult and there are too many things that are more fun.
This is usually the point where many of us even start doing chores we hate because they are easier to do than writing the scene we've been stuck on for the past two days.
I succeeded the first time, but I'm afraid I'll fail miserably this time.
Fear of failure is a huge issue. We accomplished writing the first book, now we have to write the next book. Questions run through our brains.
- Is my writing good enough?
- Can I write another book?
- What if everyone hates the next book?
- What was I thinking? I can't write! I'm a fake and everyone is going to find out.
I can finish the book in one month, get it edited and published--a very unrealistic goal.
This "goal" does nothing but set us up for failure.
I have to keep my name in the public's eyes, that's why I'm constantly checking all the social media sites I belong.
Social media eats a lot of computer time. Going to check the email, Facebook, Twitter, or whatever site it is, can cost you a couple of hours or more.
Procrastination, like I said earlier, is a dirty word, but the effect it has on us is far reaching. One way we can combat it, is to know what our triggers are and figure out ways to prevent the triggers from happening.
So now it is up to you. Why do you procrastinate?
