Procrastinating: Why we do it and how to avoid it

The definition for Procrastinating from dictionary.com says:

verb (used without object), pro·cras·ti·nat·ed, pro·cras·ti·nat·ing.

to defer action; delay:to procrastinate until an opportunity is lost.

verb (used with object), pro·cras·ti·nat·ed, pro·cras·ti·nat·ing.

to put off till another day or time; defer; delay.

Now that we know what Procrastination is, why do we do it? Why do some of us wait until the last minute to start, continue, or finish a project we are working on? There is no simple answer to this question. Many of us, want to start a project but we have yet to overcome some boundaries that may limit us from actually continuing or finishing our projects. Maybe it’s time, you are so busy during the day you make the excuse that “you don’t have time to write.”  or maybe you’re like me and are self-publishing and you are waiting for the final illustrations for your book but you are in the middle of a budget crisis.

Sometimes when people procrastinate they don’t even realize they are doing it. “I will finish this after dinner,” “Let me put a load of laundry on first” or “After the kids go to sleep I will start writing.” In most of these scenarios, the person doesn’t realize that they are procrastinating and when it comes time to write, either they are out of energy, lack motivation, or are just plain too tired.

Tips on how to stop procrastinating: 

• When an idea hits, write it down right away. Don’t give it the chance to slip your mind. Stop whatever you are doing and jot it down on a napkin if you have to.
• Set aside an allotted time to write. Whether it’s in the morning or at night when the kids have gone to sleep. Schedule some time in the day to sit down and write. (if you pencil it in your calendar you are more likely to do it)
• Routine. Routine. Routine. Set yourself a writing routine and follow it! This is huge! If you are a morning writer, make it a routine to wake up at 5 and write for an hour or squeeze 30 minutes in before cooking dinner. Anything is better than nothing.
• Have a designated writing space. In this space, you will store everything you need to write. Keep away any distractions that may cause you to break focus and make sure the environment is writing ready, whatever that means to you.
• Write a goal or to-do list. Keeping up with your writing is a great idea. Rather it is word count, page count, or the number of hours you’ve spent writing, keeping track of it can come in handy and keep you focused on your task.

Do you have a procrastination problem? Have any of these tips worked for you in the past or present? What are some of your ideas to keep from procrastinating?