Hey internets.
It’s 9:45 on Tuesday night and I’m very tired. Very, very tired indeed. And yet, here I am, rapping away on my trusty keyboard. Why? You ask.
Because I’m procrastinating. I’m putting off. I’m waiting until tomorrow. Only tomorrow is today, but I’m reminding myself that no, today is today and tomorrow is tomorrow and tomorrow I’ll get it done. Except I should have gotten it done yesterday.
Confused yet?
I pitched an article idea about a month ago and it was accepted. I don’t want to say what it’s about yet, because I just really need to write it first. But I’m overwhelmed. And I can’t seem to figure out how to get it started so I keep putting it off and I need to stop putting it off and just get it done.
I keep thinking that by some miracle of the heavens I’ll have an abundance of free time in which to process thoughts and delve into the aformentioned subject matter. Then I wake up and remember I have three kids 6 and under and free time is a commodity of which I am sorely lacking these days.
You see, there are no free moments in my day. Two of my three still nap, a gift for which I am immensly grateful. And the oldest does “rest” in his room. But his “rest” usually includes several ventures out to show me the awesome, totally cool, really sweet LEGO ships he’s constructed. Or the lineup of Transformers he’s laid out. There are also the frequent bathroom breaks, the much needed drinks and of course the obligatory questions of how much time he has left.
In short – there is little time to complete a significant train of thought. Which, in general, is not a big deal as I tend to give myself a sweet break during “rest” time in which to read blogs, answer emails and otherwise have guilt free computer time.
Only, I really have some things I need to get done these days. But I never seem to find the right time to do them.
Which is why I am now sitting on my couch, rambling on to you poor souls instead of making my brain kick it into hyperdrive and tackle this project.
And so I have a question for you all. How do you carve out quiet moments in your day? When do you find time to sit in the stillness and process thoughts? How do you get yourself moving on those days when all you want to do is sit and breathe? Do share. Perhaps we can learn from one another.
Now, I’m off to sleep. Maybe I’ll get up early to write in the morning. Or, maybe I won’t. I’ve gotten in bed with procrastination, friends. And she is a persistent bed-fellow…
This one’s a killer Kelli. Interruptions in my day always squash my productivity. I’m not sure there’s a secret other than prioritizing a time to sit down and get the work done. I can usually be most productive at night once everyone else is asleep, you just have to fight through your own tiredness.
Not to provide another procrastination tool, but this might provide some inspiration for you:
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html
Also, a good book on the topic is “The War of Art” by Stephen Pressfield
http://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Through-Creative-Battles/dp/0446691437
Thanks Joe! And you’re right – I just have to fit it in. My problem is that I’m a terrible night time writer. I always have been. Even in college, I did better getting up really early to write and study than staying up really late. I just need to get to bed early and plan on waking up early one morning.
Ah, discipline. It’s a bear isn’t it?
I remember taking a business productivity seminar about 20 years ago. We were asked to think in terms of the portion of the day in which we were the most productive and out of which came our best work. Then we needed to set aside that time of day (each day if possible) to focus on those things with highest priority – allowing messages to go to voice-mail and e-mail and fending off as many other potential interruptions as possible (door closed, working off-site, etc.). Afterward, then, we were to return phone calls, messages, allow interruptions, etc. While impossible to make happen every day, I still try to protect my 9am to 11am time slot when possible (certainly easier with grown kids!)
Very easy question to answer, I don’t!
I agree with Joe and Brad. I think you are the one who knows yourself best, so you’ll just have to take advantage of that time you are the most productive and just do it. SWOOSH….
Me…um, I’m in bed with procrastination too. I actually have found that working backwards through my day helps me to “see” when I will have the most amount of quality time to accomplish one certain task. And if I have a bunch of other stuff nagging at me-stuff that is keeping me from doing what I really should do-then I write it down and assign it for another day and another time so that it isn’t on my mind anymore. A weekly calendar has really helped me with that.
The other thing that helps me is that I plan time to be a total lazy bum once or twice a week. I’m talking no makeup, no hair fixing, comfy clothes, do whatever I want that day bum. It helps when I have rest scheduled so that I don’t have an excuse for being tired.
Hope that is helpful~ it certainly reminded me of my to-do list!