Have you ever wondered how to stop procrastinating and write your book?
Every aspiring author has faced the nemesis known as procrastination, where the dream of writing a book gets stuck in the molasses of “I’ll do it tomorrow.” Days turn into weeks and weeks into months, and no progress is made.
The cause of procrastination
The cause of procrastination is not just a lack of time or resources. It is usually perfectionism, which stems from the fear of not being good enough. A writer can also be tempted to procrastinate because of a fear of the unknown or of the task that lies ahead.
The reasons behind putting off the work of writing a book may vary widely. However, the result is universally the same: the books go unwritten. An invaluable resource awaits at the conclusion of this article—a prerecorded webinar designed to inspire and guide you through the initial hurdles of book writing.
The production of a hundred pages begins with a single word. To help you learn how to stop procrastinating and write, we teach strategic approaches to conquer procrastination and make your book a reality.
On this page, we’ve embedded a prerecorded webinar titled Leaving Procrastination Station. This article and the video are designed to empower you with the knowledge and encouragement you need to overcome this enemy of progress.
Understanding Procrastination
Procrastination in writing is often a symptom of psychological barriers. Beyond perfectionism and the fear of failure, writers may also procrastinate due to a lack of clear direction or overwhelming project size. It’s a battle between the immediate pleasure or relief felt by avoiding a task that feels difficult and the future reward of having completed a significant piece of writing.
Procrastination can be a form of self-protection against fear and anxiety. By recognizing and naming these fears, you as a writer can begin to dismantle the power they hold. Strategies like mindfulness and cognitive behavioral techniques can address these barriers.
Implementing small, daily practices such as writing for just two minutes or journaling about what you hope to achieve with your book can shift your mindset from avoidance to action.
Realistic Writing Goals
The art of setting realistic writing goals cannot be overstated. This involves not only outlining your book to be a manageable length but also setting deadlines that reflect your rhythms and responsibilities. It’s about finding a balance between ambition and practicality, ensuring that each goal serves as a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block.
Create a detailed outline, estimating how much time each section of your book might take, and then build in buffer times for life’s inevitable interruptions. Goal-setting techniques such as SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) criteria can transform the nebulous task of “write a book” into a series of clear, attainable objectives.
Commit to writing for a specific length of time each day or producing a certain number of words each day. If you can’t write every day, set aside larger blocks of time on the days you can write, so that you produce a good amount each week. Milestones serve as signs of progress, motivating you to continue.
Creating a Writing Routine
A consistent writing routine is the key to productivity for many successful authors. This involves more than just finding time to write; it’s about creating a sacred space for your craft, both physically and mentally. There are psychological benefits to ritualizing your writing practice.
What is ritualizing your writing routine? It could be starting each session with a specific song, cup of tea, scented candles for focus, or a few minutes of meditation to signal to your brain that it’s time to write.
Reduce Resistance
Understand your natural rhythms and preferences. Perhaps you’re a night owl or an early bird. Identify the time of day when your mind is most lucid and your surroundings quietest—perhaps the serene early morning or the tranquil late evening. Leverage your innate tendencies to reduce the resistance you feel, which makes procrastinating even more tempting, and maximize your productivity.
Minimize distractions and maintain focus during writing times. This might include using digital tools that can help manage your writing environment and workflow.
The establishment of a writing routine transforms writing from a sporadic endeavor into a disciplined practice. Having a disciplined practice helps you to stop procrastinating and write your book. Designate a specific location as your writing sanctuary, be it a quiet corner of your home or a local café that sparks inspiration. The key is consistency. As with any habit, the more you nurture your writing routine, the stronger it becomes and the easier it is to prevent procrastination.
Building Accountability
Building accountability is about creating a support network for your writing journey. Making a public commitment has a psychological impact and can significantly increase your commitment to your goals. Accountability contracts are agreements made with fellow writers or friends. The contracts define expectations and consequences for not meeting goals, adding a layer of seriousness to your writing commitments. Positive reinforcement and feedback from your accountability partners makes a big difference. It’s hard to procrastinate when you know someone is going to ask you about your progress and hold you accountable if you don’t show up.
Regular check-ins or writing sessions with peers not only hold you accountable but also provide a platform for feedback and encouragement in real time. Make use of our writing sprints, which are short, focused bursts of writing followed by breaks. They help many authors to make progress in a manageable and less overwhelming way. A membership to The Kitchen is extremely affordable.
Leveraging Tools and Resources
In this digital age, writers have access to an arsenal of tools designed to streamline the writing process. Apps can block distracting websites during your writing sessions. The prerecorded webinar featured in this article offers insights into challenges you face.
Engaging with the Writing Community
An often-overlooked strategy for how to stop procrastinating and write is engagement with the writing community. Participating in writing workshops, attending author talks, or engaging in online forums can provide fresh perspectives and rejuvenate your motivation. Hearing stories of others who had the same challenges can be incredibly empowering. Some communities also offer advice.
Embracing Imperfection
One of the most liberating steps in overcoming procrastination is embracing imperfection. Understanding that your first draft is not meant to be flawless can free you from the paralysis of perfectionism. The goal of the first draft is simply to exist; refinement comes later. This mindset shift is crucial for progress, allowing you to write freely and without undue pressure.
How to stop procrastinating and write your book
Writing a book comes with challenges, with procrastination being one of the worst. By understanding its roots, setting realistic goals, establishing a routine, building accountability, leveraging tools, and embracing the process, you can overcome this obstacle.
The strategies outlined in this article, coupled with insights from the prerecorded webinar, offer a comprehensive guide on how to stop procrastinating and write your book. Let this be the push you need to transform your ideas into the book you’ve always wanted to write. Remember, every book that has ever changed lives started with a single word. Start on yours today.
Leave a Reply