A Simple Guide to Curing Procrastination

Written by Katie Tallo.

It’s an itch I can’t scratch. It gets inflamed, gives me headaches and makes me nauseous. It’s recurring procrastination. And, I got it real bad.

In my case, it’s very, very specific. It’s my novel. See, I started writing my great Canadian novel in this flurry of passion last fall. I was psyched. I couldn’t be stopped. I barely ate. I gathered supporters. I took Stephen King’s advice and wrote a set number of pages every day. Man, I was focused, driven, annoyingly productive, then I hit page 172. That’s where my novel ended. I liked the ending, it was missing stuff in the middle, but basically it was a good, solid first draft.

Then I stopped. I told myself I needed time away from it before diving back in. Stephen concurred (See, “On Writing” by Stephen King if you don’t believe me). I waited six weeks, then decided I had to empty the dishwasher, take a directing gig, finish a script, cook some pasta, go for a run and shave my legs. That’s when it hit me! I should start a blog, go back to yoga, take up painting again, re-arrange my office, oh, and rake. Yep. The novel could wait.

Recurring procrastination is insidious. It creeps up on you like caramel corn. Makes you feel great, like you’re treating yourself, then drags you down and pokes at your stomach. It’s mean.

See how I can distance myself from it? It’s really not me, it’s the procrastination that’s making me rake instead of write. And I hate raking!

But it is me. I know I’m doing it as I’m doing it and yet I can’t stop freakin’ doing. But I also know there’s a cure. My novel needs me. Your “novel” needs you. So get back to it – to whatever it is that’s been gathering dust, and instead, help it gather momentum.

I promise I will too.

But first, one more little bit of procrastination! Read these 7 cures for recurring procrastination. Now drop that rake!

#7 Let everything go to shit for a week, and I mean everything, the house cleaning, the meal preparation, the kid’s homework, sex, the social life, personal grooming, everything, and just start. Say yes to your “novel” (I realize it’s not a novel for everyone but it’s a metaphor, okay? And yes, I realize I’m sounding bitchy because procrastination is a serious ailment that must be cured and I need some tough love right now. But I digress, another word for procrastinate).

#6 Try doing it first thing in the morning. Yes, I mean working on your “novel”. When the world is sleeping, it’s just you and your “novel” and no excuses. (If you just can’t do #7 then try #6)

#5 Take a sick day. You do have a serious illness, after all. So spend half the day working on your “novel” and the other half eating sorbet (It’s better for you than caramel corn). That half day not procrastinating might just break the cycle.

#4 Write your own prescription. Make a list of what you love about your “novel”. This is a love letter to your soul that chimes in and says, “Wake the hell up! You only live once, so why exactly do you wanna do this crazy thing anyway?” or something like that. Maybe a little gentler and kinder depending on how far your procrastination has progressed. I personally need my ass kicked right about now, but I also want to be clear about why I’m writing a novel. Post your list somewhere so that you can see it for inspiration.

#3 Fake it. No, this is not a follow-up to #6. What I mean is, if you want to get your “novel” done then pretend you’re doing it. Act like a writer. Pour yourself a cup of tea, kick everyone out of the room or go to the local café with your laptop, focus and pretend to write. Fake it ‘til you make it, baby. Suddenly, you’ll just be doing it – whether it’s exercising, creating or beginning something. Your brain won’t know the difference.

#2 Ask for help. Sometimes we need someone to help us out of our slump, to make us accountable, to rev us up or rub our feet. Turn to those people in your life who are consistently supportive, who always have your back and believe in you. Ask them to push you along for a while and you’ll soon have the momentum to go it alone.

#1 Stop reading this post (after you’ve made a quick comment below), take a deep breath and work on your “novel” for fifteen minutes, just fifteen, just to get your momentum back.

As soon as I post this, I promise to do the same. There, I already feel a little better.

Photo by Leonid Mamchenkov