| Copyright 2005 Writer's Eye Advisory Service | | | | journal list. Feel free to choose organization tools that |
| I'm assuming that you have encountered some form | | | | work best for you. My preference is to use a |
| of procrastination in your life. For those of you who | | | | combination of my calendar, some goal files (pc), index |
| don't struggle with procrastination. Congratulations! I find | | | | cards and my memory. When I'm creating lists, I like |
| procrastination especially frustrating to handle, when it | | | | having access to both flexible tools(cards and |
| disguises itself as irritability, confusion and anger, | | | | memory) and a workable structure ( past lists and |
| pointing my heart and mind away from where the real | | | | some goal files). Remember to write a clear, easy to |
| causes lie. | | | | read, and detailed to-do list. |
| Procrastination is a temporary solution to cover or | | | | CHOOSE ONE AREA: Choose one urgent |
| push away intense feelings during the creative | | | | "procrastination" area. To help your focus answer the |
| process. Some creatives feel anxiety before starting a | | | | following questions about your situation: |
| project. Others feel depressed in the middle of | | | | Purpose: Increasing your awareness of your |
| creating a project. Still others struggle being unable to | | | | resistance: What part of this activity, that I don't want |
| finish a project, especially one that comes closest to | | | | to do? (answer in specifics) What am I feeling about |
| the realization of part of their artistic vision. They don't | | | | working on this activity? (There may be more than |
| want to face the unknowns of exploring a new | | | | one feeling) What would I rather be doing? What is so |
| project. | | | | attractive about resisting this activity? |
| Procrastination is a form of self-sabotage. I call it a | | | | Purpose: Increasing your awareness of your |
| short-term last resort. If you let procrastination go, it | | | | motivation: What part of doing this creative project do |
| can take over your life. In the following exercises, I can | | | | you like?What are your feeling about this creative |
| increase your awareness of how procrastination may | | | | project? (any feelings) |
| be interfering with your work. Remember to choose to | | | | Summarize your resistance statements and your |
| work one exercise at time. Take your time when you | | | | motivated statements Look for any similarities and |
| write. Be patient as you start to react to these two | | | | differences (use this information to answer the next |
| exercises. Let your mind and heart gently guide you | | | | question) Look for ways to increase your motivational |
| toward deeper awareness and desire to change. | | | | actions and decrease your procrastination actions. |
| TO-DO LISTS: Lists are easy to write in your journal. If | | | | Congratulations! You've chosen your new goal. Start |
| you can write a laundry list, then you can write a | | | | working on it now!! No more procrastination! |