Steal this post: 3 things you must do now
As a writer and freelance editor and designer, one thing I am very good at is creative work avoidance behaviors. From checking my e-mail to hitting the kitchen for a snack to re-arranging my sock drawer, I’ve done them all. At least twice.
That’s one reason I looked for a Muse. I needed someone to be my border collie and keep my worktime peregrinations to a minimum. More about the Muse’s latest in another post.
Anyway, to be successful at being a writer, here are three things you must do. Now.
1. STOP READING THIS BLOG POST AND WRITE. You are probably procrastinating, aren’t you? I bet you have been sitting there, chin on one hand, mouse in the other, clicking your way through link after link while the razor-sharp second hand slices away what’s left of your day.
WRITE.
2. PLAN FOR YOUR WRITING TOMORROW. Write down ideas before they slip away. If you have an iPhone, use the Notes or Voice Memo. Better yet, use a concept map. Draw a circle in the center of a piece of paper (or use free software, like CMap Tools) and put down your one good idea you have that is rattling around your mind like a BB in an empty tuna fish can. Then draw five circles around it and write down five related ideas, two of which must be opposites. Then draw two lines off each circle and put two more ideas based on that circle. One must be a positive connection to the circle idea and one a negative, or anti-, idea.
There. Now, even if some of them are dry holes, you have certainly enough ideas about what to write tomorrow, don’t you? Now get back to work and WRITE.
3. THINK OF 3 PEOPLE you can connect with by end of day tomorrow who can help your writing or consulting by brainstorming with you about story ideas, potential clients, or markets and marketing ideas. Get out their phone numbers NOW and write them down on a real or virtual Post-It and put it on your monitor or desktop. Call each before noon tomorrow. Ask each for the name and contact info of one other person who would be valuable for you to network with. DO IT.
Then get back to writing.
You’re welcome.
And the Website -will- be finished this weekend as soon as I stop procrastinating!
Thanks for the advice! I am the same way. I will vacuum, dust, do the laundry and wash dishes before I decide it’s time to write. I typically blame it on OCD – however, despite having an amazingly clean home, I’m really just procrastinating. My muse only comes around every so often, and it’s normally while I’m at work. Heaven forbid my boss see me on Blogger.com typing 70 wpm! He would not be the slightest bit interested.
Best,
Sarah
We both need new Muses.