Writing Blog: Day 3 – Procrastination and Time Management

What’s just so sad about this post is that I set the title up top and then proceeded to procrastinate writing it for the next two hours. I clearly have a problem. This can not continue.

So, it’s Monday.

This weekend was a cluster-funk of emotions and distractions. Yes, it was 4th of July weekend but I can’t even use that as excuse because my family, we all went our separate ways and did nothing. Saturday, I had every intention to begin editing. Friday night, I got a lovely shellac mani with a tribal theme. My friend and business partner, Melody, her best friend does these amazing manicures and I finally had the privilege to experience one. I’ll leave that little ‘share’ for my next “Random Nothings” post next. Earlier that day, I posted a video that I feature with my best friend, Heather, who currently lives in another state putting us hundreds of miles away from one another.

I was feeling motivated and determined to be productive and stop stalling on starting my edits over ridiculous fears and insecurities. This is where time management comes to play. Next day, (woke up feeling like death!) one of my closest friends contacted me and wanted to hang. First, let me say, this particular friend is basically family. Hanging out with her is a no-brainer and effortless. However, that’s where the sneaky Achilles’ heel will bite ya when you’re a writer.

When it comes to your writing, you have to treat that time as though it were sacred, because it is. A friend of mine who’s also a writer lectured me and had to remind me of this. This is how time can slip from you and if the desire is to be a published author, deadlines are going to be a real thing. Developing the discipline and creating these habits now can only benefit you later when opportunity knocks.

My other friend, Melody was also telling me how you must approach it with the mentality that being a “Writer” and writing, is your JOB. You set that mindset and treat it as a JOB. You set a time and your days aside and stick to them as you would any other job. If not, you risk getting fired, right? Exactly.

Writing is already such a risk and difficult path to pursue. It’s bad enough you have so much negativity your mind alone plays against you. The industry is difficult to crack. They want you to play by their rules and as with any entertainment industry arena, sometimes it’s about who you know to get you in.

Writing = passion + determination. 

Procrastination

Sounds like a curse word. At least, that’s how it sounds coming out of my mouth. Sometimes, I feel this monumental sucker’s gonna be the death of me, dammit!

After my attention got steered on Saturday, Sunday arrived and my body and mind were just NOT having it. I am an introvert, by every sense of the term. I am a hermit. I need to go into my hibernation cave to recharge every so often or I will go mad and drive off a cliff. I need that alone space where my mind just needs to think and do nothing. The last two weeks have been very active–all great reasons–but come Sunday, I believe my brain and body were flashing red warning lights. It was done. So, I took that time to ignore my phone (my friend’s already know the drill and luckily, don’t take it personal anymore), shut the world out and just lay in bed and recharge. These are the moments I need to not allow guilt for lack of productivity to set in. In the end, I’m no good to any of my ventures if I’m at code: meltdown.

Now, it’s Monday.

Not gonna lie, friends. It’s been rough. All day has been a battle to find a groove. I set up in bed. Nothing. Took all my things to the downstairs table and set up there. Nothing.

YouTube vlog videos became my mindless entertainment. Finally, I went back upstairs to try again. Nope, wasn’t happening. It has been this constant back and forth. I look over at my massive sofa chair that I hadn’t set up in front of my desk in a while and contemplated going back to the ol’ desk to attempt working. When I had switched my room around months ago, it was a priority to make my desk area conducive to helping me feeling organized and motivated for writing. I’m very much a creature of her surroundings. Ambiance is huge for me to feel settled and ready to focus on whatever I have at hand. I usually need a cozy, warmly lit coffeehouse vibe with the right music in the background. High maintenance, I know. Here’s my setup today. 

I was excited, thinking, “Okay. This is it. I got this. Now, I’m gonna write ALL THE THINGS…”

Which brings us here. Right now. My solution? I figured, perhaps, I just need to vent. I just need to verbal vomit and confess today’s frustrations, get it out of my head and system and then, hopefully, MOVE FORWARD.

Earlier today, I was grateful for some of the authors I follow on social media, because, there are days when they put out exactly what I needed in order to put a little fire under my ass. The reason I’m even sitting at my desk today, determined to make things happen are because of two authors.

Lindsay Cummings, YA author of ‘The Murder Complex’ and Jennifer L. Armentrout, author of too many things both YA and NA. That woman can’t be human. She poops out books like they were water. (apologies for any weird images there) Anyway, it’s just a reminder to keep putting the time for it. Make it happen. There’s no other way. It’s not going to fall on your lap. You want it? Fight for it. Sacrifice for it. Bleed for it. Being a writer is hardcore. It’s not for the weak or lazy.

“Finally updated my board. Goal achieved.” – Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

Click on image for Instagram video

Just watching her typing away (IG video) so focused nudges me to want to be doing the same thing.

Hope you’re all feeling motivated in your writing ventures, whether it be a novel, a blog, or your journalism articles, etc. If not, well, know you’re not alone. We all have those rough days where you can’t seem to produce a single sentence or cohesive thought. Find what motivates you and push against the funk. Get those fingers on the keyboard and Make it Happen! Till next time!