Favorite Enemies
- A Little Sisterly Advice
- Cheeky Reads
- DRD aka Donna's Blog
- Gunner Marnee's Blog
- J.K. Coi: Living with Immortals
- Just Janga
- Killer Fiction
- Kimberly Killion
- Maggie Robinson
- Maureen O. Betita
- Megan Kelly
- Pam Clare
- Renee Lynn Scott
- Romance Bandits
- Romance Dish
- Scapegoat's Blogspot
- Smartass Romance
- Terri Osburn Writes Romance
- Tessa Dare
- Vauxhall Vixens
Blog Archive
Powered by Blogger.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Behold, the Power of Procrastination!
Every once in a while I feel like I've run out of blog post ideas. I can think of plenty of topics, but I seem to shoot them down the instant they appear, before they have a chance to make it safely to that part of my brain where they can incubate, and possibly hatch into something interesting.
It's put a lot of unnecessary pressure on me, until I finally realized what was wrong: I was thinking too far ahead.
I was trying to PLOT, rather than PANTS.
If there's one thing I know about myself, it's that I can't plan things more than a few days ahead of time, and even when I do, it's gonna be in pencil—while I'm brandishing an eraser in my other hand.
That's when I realized I needed to call upon a higher power: The Power of Procrastination. It's often characterized as the ugly stepsister of Avoidance, and I will admit I've helped to keep that notion alive. But I wonder if I've been a little too harsh.
After all, what is Procrastination but Avoidance allowed to roam free?
Let's take a peek at some famous procrastinators:
Scarlett O'Hara: "After all, tomorrow is another day"
Mark Twain: "Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow"
Lil Orphan Annie: Honestly, is there anybody who could love "tomorrow" more than this gal?
What do they all have in common? They have a deep-seated, unshakeable, abiding belief that there is PLENTY OF TIME.
Yes, procrastination is a hope-based philosophy. Optimism is the cornerstone of this belief system, along with faith that time won't run out before we finish what we need to do. . .some distant day in the future.
Ironically, even though procrastinators believe there is plenty of time, we are actually given LESS time than that allotted to non-procrastinators. But we don't let that bother us. Why? Because we know that our efficiency and productivity kicks in whenever there is a "last minute".
We like residing on that tiny ledge that is crumbling into the abyss. It revs us up and sparks our creativity. We're adrenaline junkies, thrill seekers, addicted to the mania that comes with accomplishing something in record time while everyone around us is having panic attacks thinking we waited too long.
If there's anyone that knows how to ratchet up the suspense. . .it's procrastinators.
Yet somehow, miraculously, with hosannas from heaven above, we get it done. Because there was actually plenty of time to accomplish WHAT HAD TO BE DONE.
We didn't get distracted by all the possibilities, the paths not taken, the meanderings that might have been fun but ultimately would have paralyzed us because there was too much to choose from.
Instead, with the clock ticking, we used our laser-beam focus to concentrate on the essentials, those things that could not be ignored, and it was a bright light guiding us to our destination.
So how do we make procrastination work as a writing tool? Here are a few suggestions:
These are just a few methods, and yes, I've tested all of them ahead of time, so you can be assured they have earned the DRD Seal of Approval.
Now it's your turn. Share some of your favorite tips and tricks for utilizing The Power of Procrastination. Maybe we'll even gather them and put them in a book. . . one of these days.
It's put a lot of unnecessary pressure on me, until I finally realized what was wrong: I was thinking too far ahead.
I was trying to PLOT, rather than PANTS.
If there's one thing I know about myself, it's that I can't plan things more than a few days ahead of time, and even when I do, it's gonna be in pencil—while I'm brandishing an eraser in my other hand.
That's when I realized I needed to call upon a higher power: The Power of Procrastination. It's often characterized as the ugly stepsister of Avoidance, and I will admit I've helped to keep that notion alive. But I wonder if I've been a little too harsh.
After all, what is Procrastination but Avoidance allowed to roam free?
Let's take a peek at some famous procrastinators:
Scarlett O'Hara: "After all, tomorrow is another day"
Mark Twain: "Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow"
Lil Orphan Annie: Honestly, is there anybody who could love "tomorrow" more than this gal?
What do they all have in common? They have a deep-seated, unshakeable, abiding belief that there is PLENTY OF TIME.
Yes, procrastination is a hope-based philosophy. Optimism is the cornerstone of this belief system, along with faith that time won't run out before we finish what we need to do. . .some distant day in the future.
Ironically, even though procrastinators believe there is plenty of time, we are actually given LESS time than that allotted to non-procrastinators. But we don't let that bother us. Why? Because we know that our efficiency and productivity kicks in whenever there is a "last minute".
We like residing on that tiny ledge that is crumbling into the abyss. It revs us up and sparks our creativity. We're adrenaline junkies, thrill seekers, addicted to the mania that comes with accomplishing something in record time while everyone around us is having panic attacks thinking we waited too long.
If there's anyone that knows how to ratchet up the suspense. . .it's procrastinators.
Yet somehow, miraculously, with hosannas from heaven above, we get it done. Because there was actually plenty of time to accomplish WHAT HAD TO BE DONE.
We didn't get distracted by all the possibilities, the paths not taken, the meanderings that might have been fun but ultimately would have paralyzed us because there was too much to choose from.
Instead, with the clock ticking, we used our laser-beam focus to concentrate on the essentials, those things that could not be ignored, and it was a bright light guiding us to our destination.
So how do we make procrastination work as a writing tool? Here are a few suggestions:
- Set a deadline. And then ignore it, until—yup, the last minute. This works particularly well with contests, class assignments, chapters that a critique partner is waiting on, or, my personal favorite, blog posts.
- Do all your Hierarchy of Avoidance chores, to make sure you get them out of the way--and then do whatever you feel like the rest of the day. After all, there's always tomorrow to do some writing. You need time to ponder all the possible plot threads in your story, and this is the time for it, not later when you're scribbling to get the word count done.
- Start something and then set it aside to work on something else. Then put it down and move onto a third project. Leave all of them half-finished until it's time to get something done, then grab the one that intrigues you and write like the wind.
These are just a few methods, and yes, I've tested all of them ahead of time, so you can be assured they have earned the DRD Seal of Approval.
Now it's your turn. Share some of your favorite tips and tricks for utilizing The Power of Procrastination. Maybe we'll even gather them and put them in a book. . . one of these days.
Labels:
DRD Dealings (Donna)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Books by the Crew
57 comments:
Gee, I started to read this post and then needed to go to bed...
Wow, Donna. You have the power of positive thinking down to a real science. The brighter side of procrastination. This blog should go down in the Revenge hall of fame. Next to the HOA.
I may need to invent a drink for this...tomorrow.
This reminds me of King Canute sitting on a beach forbidding the tide to wet his feet. I have visited the spot where it happened, near Bosham on Chichester harbor!
A true artist has all that creativity building pressure in the subconscious, demanding an outlet. Procrastination is simply your egotistical conscious mind refusing to relinquish control and building a sea wall to keep the tide back.
When a deadline pokes a hole in the sea wall, the ideas come gushing out with irresistible force and you finish the job.
If you are a SUPER-procrastinator, you can still stick a toe in that hole to hold out a little longer. But like Canute, you will eventually submit to the inevitable. Natural forces, my dear, are powerful indeed.
Interesting analysis Donna. Freud would be amused if not envious! :wink:
LOL, Chance -- does that mean my post put you to sleep?
And "tomorrow" is now today, so I can't wait -- well, you know I will -- for the drink you invent. :)
I don't know if I was putting a positive spin on things -- more like my typical smart-aleck spin. :)
Q, my goal is ALWAYS to amuse, so I'm glad that even the estimable Freud would be amused. LOL
And I agree with your lovely description of Procrastination fighting against the control of the conscious mind. A lot of folks think Procrastination is the handmaiden of Perfectionism, and I think that's when the battle you describe gets particularly fierce!
Dang it, I don't have time to read the whole thing. But I got halfway through and once again, Donna, you are BRILLIANT.
Procrastination is my middle name, which is why I put off getting out of bed and now have to run. I'm off to sign the papers. In a couple hours, I'm going to be a homeowner!
I think I'm going to puke.
Terri, I think it's BRILLIANT that you are on your way to being a homeowner! Woo hoo!
No puking! I'd tell you to have a celebratory drink afterwards, but, since it's so early in the day. . .you better get a virgin version. LOL
Congrats again -- I'm so happy for you!
This may be my favorite blog this year. Honestly it's hard to choose just one blog from amongst all you brilliant pirates, but I'm thinking this is the ONE for me.
I would never have gotten my BA in English if it weren't for the power of procrastination and my expert use of it.
My tip is to PLAN for what needs to be done way in advance. It's how I wrote my papers. I checked out books from the library WEEKS in advance of the paper, would read a few pages, get bored, and go back to doing whatever. Finally about 2 days, no more than 3, before the paper was due, I would frantically pour through the books and drum up the paper I needed. I never outlined, of course, but gathering the research ahead of time--that's important because what if someone checks out the books YOU need before you can write the book?
You're right, Hellion--proper planning is KEY to effective procrastination. LOL I would have done exactly as you did with getting the books from the library, reading a few pages, etc. It preps your mind so that while you're avoiding, or procrastinating, your brain is actually developing the paper.
And you can go do what you want!
And thanks for the kudos on my post. I'm just thrilled to be a nominee for Best Post of 2010. LOL
I love procrastination, but for me, it's a double-edged sword. It stresses me out. I always wait until the last second, then I freak out and berate myself for waiting and think, "If only I'd just done this weeks ago instead of playing Super Mario Brothers for hours on end." Like right now. I have to turn in 43 revised pages by next Thursday, plus two, 2-page essays, or I totally fail for the whole semester in school. Do I HAVE 43 revised pages? Uh, no. Not even close.
What I need to figure out how to do is stop stressing, and start enjoying my procrastination. Then I'd have the best of both worlds :)
Sorry for disappearing -- someone came over to turn on my furnace (yay!) and convert some outlets so I could plug in my laptop without a 15 ft extension cord!
Hal, I totally agree about the need to ENOY the procrastination. Someone else will have to take on the task of writing THAT post. LOL I end up stressing a little too much, the way you described. So how do we find a way to do this without berating ourselves?
Anyone? Bueller? :)
Heat? You have heat? I'm so jealous. My office is 64 degrees and I'm all huddled down into sweatshirts.
I actually called about heat on Friday and they forgot! But when there was FROST on my car windows this morning, and my coffee would get cold in the cup after only a few sips -- I decided to call again.
I can barely tolerate temps below 70 degrees. I wish I could share some of my heat with you!
dude. I wish you could too. It's not that cold here yet (low 50's), but there's something about this cold, wet, drizzly rain that won't stop that just makes it feel sooooo much colder.
Apparently, our university isn't converting from air to heat until Nov. 1st. This seems like a good excuse to work from home :)
Brava, Donna! This really is a great post. I'm memorizing some of these points, so I'll have a comeback nrxt time some of my super organized family and friends start nagging about my delaying working on something.
I'm with Hellie on the planning. I actually love that part of the process--gathering information, imagining my brilliantly composed pages, practicing modest disclaimers. But settling down to do the tasks is always accompanied by agonized groans, hair pulling, and vows never to get into the situation again. I'll have to work harder on remembering that it's the pressure that turns carbon into diamonds--and try to forget how long that takes. LOL
I actually think that procrastination serves a purpose. While I'm doing other things, my subconscious is coming up with ideas and solving all my story problems. That's why when I sit down to write at the last minute, the story (or blog) just flows.
But when I really have put things off too long, then I start to clean the teenagers' bathroom, and instantly, I am inspired to write, write, write.
Hal, I agree about that cold drizzly rain seeping into your bones -- I used to experience that when I lived in the Seattle area -- so I don't miss that. But I'm getting older and crotchety and decided I couldn't wait til the Nov. 1 deadline (that I'd set for myself! LOL)
Clarissa -- exactly! Procrastination is when our brains are doing the behind-the-scenes work! To everyone else it LOOKS like we're not working, but oh, so not true!
And the wanting to write instead of clean -- that's such a great motivator. LOL I use that one a lot!
Janga, I love the "practicing modest disclaimers". LOL I don't think I spend ENOUGH time doing that, so I am not adding that to my Very Important To Do List. :)
I had a high school English teacher, one of the first who made me feel like a writer -- whenever I would complain about an assignment or too much work or whatever -- he would always say, "Do you know how diamonds are made? Heat, and pressure!" LOL Apparenty we both like that pressure!
What fun! Man oh man, you nailed me. I did my post on our blog today (www.mysteriesandmargaritasblogspot.com) and confess I was working on it at 5 am. Sure, I could have done it days ago. But why not? I could have been hit by a bus. I really should plan ahead, yet somehow it happened today. I'm always surprised to find that Christmas was on the 25th of December. You'd think I'd know that by now and get ready a little ahead of time.
Cassy -- LOL -- I typically post mine in the last few minutes before the buzzer sounds. But yesterday, in my contrary fashion, I actually posted this one in the late afternoon. It's probably the first (and last!) time we'll see that happening tho!
And I'm like you with Christmas -- I swear it shows up every 3 months now! (When I was a kid -- not so much!)
I agree with Clarissa; when I'm doing other things my mind tries to do the work for me.
We're remodeling the bathroom this week. Rather, I have people here doing it because my husband and I are as handy as a steaming bowl of oatmeal. But I've been running around fetching stuff, making final color decisions, etc. My mind seems to think that the route between my house and Home Depot is a great place to plot. Who knew? Maybe next time I'm stuck I'll just drive to Home Depot. Seems to be doing the trick this week.
Of course I can't write anything down in the car on NJ's finest highways lest I cause a traffic catastrophe. (Anyone ever driven on NJ roads? If so, you know what I'm talking about.) Just this morning I was telling my oldest DS, "Bud, my heroine needs be tougher. She lived on the street after all." And he said back, "On our street?" And I said, "No, no. Just a street." And he said, "What street?"
Um, nevermind.
Marn, you're cracking me up. "Handy as a steaming bowl of oatmeal". LOL Heck, that's handier than *I* am -- I can barely make oatmeal. And the conversation with your son is too funny. Love it.
I love the idea of just driving to Home Depot when your brain is stuck! Maybe you'll need one of those mini-recorders and you can pretend you're giving dictation to your hottie assistant. :)
Maybe you’ll need one of those mini-recorders and you can pretend you’re giving dictation to your hottie assistant.
Definitely better than looking like I'm talking to myself.
I've never tried one of those mini-recorders because I don't want to go through the transcribing (that, and my voice sounds weird to me when it's recorded -- LOL)
Just another example of me GIVING great advice that *I* don't follow!
Nothing wrong with procrastination. For one thing it makes us feel important. Why? Because we always end up doing something SO IMPORTANT it precludes what we *should* be doing. Procrastination also offers a sense of control. We're in full command of what we're not accomplishing. :)
The number one reason I procrastinate is that I am a closet crisis junkie. I do my best work when I'm in panic mode.
At least that's what I tell myself!!
Gotta go iron or pull weeds!!
It's 75 and beautiful in Dallas.
Go Rangers!!
Liz, you're too funny. Go enjoy your 75 degree weather AND your Rangers being in the playoffs. Those are both things to celebrate!
I think there's a whole lot of procrastination going on today. Ahhh, my work here is done! LOL
You all make me so proud!
Procrastination also offers a sense of control. We’re in full command of what we’re not accomplishing.
Hilarious. *LOL* And so true. *LOL*
Wow, VR -- I think that's the best description of it yet! We DO have so many important things to do, so of course we can't do the other things. LOL
I don't know about anybody else, but I'm feeling pretty darn good about myself right now!
Wow, Donna - I didn't remember that you had Gordie Hansen for English in HS - were we in the same class? Of course, we all studied by candlelight, being careful not to set the powder in our wigs on fire...
I think of Mr. Hansen's axiom often, usually when suffering the effects of procrastination. Like now, when I should be balancing the office books for last month - oops, gotta go!
BTW (forgot to put this in last comment) if you don't like weather below 70 degrees - what the heck are you doing in the NE????? Come down here to Texas ya'll - having weather in the 80's just now and it's be-yoo-ti-ful.
Leslee -- LOL -- I *thought* we were in the same class! Didn't you ask to borrow my quill one time? Good ole Gordie -- I hadn't really thought of that heat and pressure thing until today. Obviously I need to keep it in mind more often!
And I didn't mind the NE cold until last winter. Before that I enjoyed the change of seasons (even though I think we only have 3 of them, not 4!) But now it feels like the cold is TOO cold!
I do wonder if part of my procrastination issues is that I really like being in crisis mode. I feel like I'm important and conquering the world. Way less drudgery involved in conquering the world than doing chores :)
Marn - you're smart. I think I'm more handy than I am, so I end up with my current situation, where I've decided to re-finish all the plaster walls in my dining room. It is NOT going well :)
Hal - we redid our floors in the kitchen. It was a complete fiasco. It's like my husband and I never played with legos before. We couldn't put anything together right, the stuff wasn't fitting, we couldn't work the saw, etc. We bickered all weekend. It was Dumb and Dumber do flooring.
Afterward, we were so dejected we decided to never undertake such a big project alone again. I can change light fixtures and faucets. I can paint. I even installed our garbage disposal. If it has instructions, I can manage it. I follow directions well. But building stuff? Not so much.
PS, good luck with the plaster. And all preggo? You are ambitious. I could barely walk let alone do construction projects.
I'm such a procrastinator, I've practically make it an art form. I can stack a pile of folded laundry on my dryer three feet high. I keep telling myself I'll carry it to the bedroom after the next load...and on and on...
Anita, laundry cries out for procrastination. I mean, seriously. As soon as you put it away, you're gonna take it out, wear it, and then have to wash it again! Save yourself a step (or three!) LOL
Hal, I think there's something to be said for that conquering the world feeling -- we don't have many other opportunities in life to do that!
And you and Marn are killing me with the home improvement stories. LOL
I go to the doctor's and look at all the greatness I miss!
Way less drudgery involved in conquering the world than doing chores
SOOOOOOoooo true. Though sad that so much of writing can come off as drudgery.
It was Dumb and Dumber do flooring.
OMG that was funny! And I think ANY couple who does anything together, but most especially a home improvement project. My married best friends are redoing their basement and they've bickered so much about it, I'm surprised they didn't divorce. I think they've finally gotten to the "fun stuff" or they've gotten used to it and they're okay now.
I'm going to lose my procrastinator's license -- I am actually thinking of some blog posts for the future.
*ducks and runs for cover*
I'm so late I missed everything. Dang it.
I have a new house and new locks and a new bed and now y'all are freaking me out about home improvement projects. Couldn't you have let me keep the new house glow for 24 hours?! LOL!
Man, there was some great stuff said around here today. I bow to all of you. I think I might be growing out of my severe procrastination because lately I've been getting hooked on the "accomplishment" feeling.
Look, everything from my dressers is packed!
Look, four out of five bookshelves are empty and all those pretty boxes are marked "BOOKS".
Look how nice that storage room looks when it's empty!
This could really get addictive.
Wow -- I had no idea I had that many smiles. Yeesh. LOL
Terri, yay for the new house! How excited are you? :)
There is something great to be said for the accomplishment feeling -- I actually got to tap into it when I was without a laptop. :) And I definitely liked it, so I've been trying to get there again each day.
Now let's have a glass of wine to celebrate your new place. :)
Stupendous blog and I spent the day driving...sigh. I so agree with so many of our commentors today, the whole diamonds come from pressure... but yeah, the trick is leaving behind the guilt about not doing the thing that all those important authors tell you to do... SCHEDULE DAILY WRITING TIME!
I hate those authors.
Maureen, the guilt is the one thing that has to go.
*sprays massive amounts of Guilt B Gone throughout the ship*
I'm sure you did a lot of "mental writing" in the back of your mind while you were doing driving and other things. Which means you WEREN'T procrastinating, so you're good. :)
I *LOVE* the way you make it sound like procrastination is a skill set, something to be valued and crafted and practiced into perfection! Anything that adds an "I meant to do that" quality is a gem in my book!
I kept listening to the radio, then a political ad would come on and I'd turn it off... On, off. On...off. I gave up and turned it off.
*snort mental writing?
I was daydreaming about my first signing...
Guilt B Gone...now that's a drink!
Bren, procrastination IS a skill set, and the world would be a better place if 1) people recognized that and 2) people realized we are trained professionals. LOL
I totally agree with the "I meant to do that" philosophy. :) It's worth incorporating that into everything I do!
Chance, I don't blame you for turning the radio off -- I can see where it would have gotten in the way of things. I hope it didn't derail your daydreaming. That sounds like a wonderful thing, your first signing. :)
I was thinking of Guilt B Gone as an industrial strength spray, but I think it could work as a drink. You'd have to follow it with a shot of "Inhibitions B Gone" and then "Clothes B Gone". (I'm guessing! LOL)
How about 'Bungee Fear B Gone'? Though Hellion doesn't really like it when we bungee jump off the main mast...
What if someone distracts her?
"Hey, Hellie, is that your Cap'n Jack bobblehead doll in the water over there?"
*wheeeee*
Y'all break that mast again and you're all paying for the repairs this time.
I'm SUPER excited, Donna. I'll see your :) :) and up you a 8) . LOL!
Procrastination is definitely a skill. Or rather, making procrastination work for you is the real skill.
Make it work, baby!
YOU can bungee jump if you want. *I* will not be bungee jumping. That's crazy.
2nd, you need to listen to a book on CD. I've been listening to a book for the last several weeks and have avoided most of the ads.
I don't think we'll BREAK it. . .maybe just bend it pretty good. LOL
LOL about the smilie icons. I don't blame you for being so excited!
I think I got some work out of my procrastination today, so I'm feeling mighty damn skillful. LOL
Donna~
Awesome blog! Sorry I'm late. I was, uh, busy. Yep, busy.
Terri~Congrats on the new home! If I were closer I'd help you pack. I like to pack, but I hate unpacking. I get all flustered because I don't know where things go in the new place.
Di
Thanks, Di! I'm feeling pretty good about the packing right now. I think we'll have no problem wrapping it up next week. Though it really helped that I purged all summer long. I gave a crazy amount of stuff to charity. And I don't miss any of it!
Post a Comment