I often use the strategy of taking a break when I feel stuck with writing or working on a project. And the other thing I've put into place on my weight loss and health journey is to do "something, not nothing" - these two tips have helped so much in structuring my procrastination. Thank you for sharing and writing about how you navigate through procrastination!
First time I learned about this principle was reading "The Beatles Recording Sessions". When a song wasn't working or frustration crept in, they would take a short break and then work on a different song.
This is so true Chris, for every artist, creator and writer!
Right now, I'm editing my second book "Gratitude Rising". You know what it's like editing - you cut parts, need to research and confirm bits, reword, rework, restructure, delete, write more.... It's hard, challenging and often draining - regardless if you're doing it for other's manuscripts or your own! (p.s. I love editing for others, yet it still tops my personal procrastination list!)
Today, I procrastinated as I couldn't write another word, and I did something else. I designed the book cover. I'm about 98.275% sure that that's the final cover and will need minimal tweaks. I love it.
So I wasn't editing. I didn't write another word in the manuscript, and yet I still did something incredibly useful, while successfully procrastinating (because I'd have to do it anyway afterwards). It was a creative break, of a different and productive sort.
As you said Chris, "when you can't do one thing, do something"....
I do the same thing! In my mind, many things can count as progress. Tidying up for a half-hour to settle into the office is progress. Journaling is progress.
You get that sense of accomplishment and agency and then The Big Thing feels more manageable 🖤
This us more or less the strategy I've always used. It's gotten me through havingo low subscribers, even no subscribers to over 300 on my channel. Albeit with no subscriber button!
I often use the strategy of taking a break when I feel stuck with writing or working on a project. And the other thing I've put into place on my weight loss and health journey is to do "something, not nothing" - these two tips have helped so much in structuring my procrastination. Thank you for sharing and writing about how you navigate through procrastination!
First time I learned about this principle was reading "The Beatles Recording Sessions". When a song wasn't working or frustration crept in, they would take a short break and then work on a different song.
I never prioritise the to-do list, since all tasks should get done eventually anyway.
This is so true Chris, for every artist, creator and writer!
Right now, I'm editing my second book "Gratitude Rising". You know what it's like editing - you cut parts, need to research and confirm bits, reword, rework, restructure, delete, write more.... It's hard, challenging and often draining - regardless if you're doing it for other's manuscripts or your own! (p.s. I love editing for others, yet it still tops my personal procrastination list!)
Today, I procrastinated as I couldn't write another word, and I did something else. I designed the book cover. I'm about 98.275% sure that that's the final cover and will need minimal tweaks. I love it.
So I wasn't editing. I didn't write another word in the manuscript, and yet I still did something incredibly useful, while successfully procrastinating (because I'd have to do it anyway afterwards). It was a creative break, of a different and productive sort.
As you said Chris, "when you can't do one thing, do something"....
This is how I live my life. 90% of the time, it works great.
I've done some version of structured procrastination for a while now. It's good to know that it's actually a method. Thank you for sharing this!
Otherwise known as “slow motion multitasking”.
HT to Tim Harford for inspiring this old blog of mine
https://tommccallum.com/2018/11/28/slow-motion-multitasking/
I do the same thing! In my mind, many things can count as progress. Tidying up for a half-hour to settle into the office is progress. Journaling is progress.
You get that sense of accomplishment and agency and then The Big Thing feels more manageable 🖤
Building a life around what you love is so important and exactly what I'm trying to do. Great advice!
I call this proTASKination!
This us more or less the strategy I've always used. It's gotten me through havingo low subscribers, even no subscribers to over 300 on my channel. Albeit with no subscriber button!