How often do you think to yourself, “I’ll just watch one more episode…”
And then it’s 3 AM, you’re sweating butter, and the credits to season seven of CSI are rolling?
For most of us, it probably happens far more often than we would like. Procrastination is a major problem in the working world, but it has a larger impact on those that are self employed.
If you don’t work, you don’t eat. If writers don’t work, they really don’t eat. It’s a sad day when you can’t afford the $0.25 for a packet of ramen. (Most college students suffer from TPSD — traumatic palate stress disorder.)
That said, we often make work far more difficult than it needs to be. When there is a task that has to be accomplished, there is a little voice in your head nudging you to do it. It shouts at you.
Whispers.
Distracts.
Then shouts some more.
The amount of energy it takes to ignore that little voice is far more than you might expect. By fighting against self-discipline, you drain more mental energy than you would if you simply went ahead and completed the task.
The hardest part of any project is starting. Once you get past that hurdle, finishing it becomes easier. After all, we’re naturally inclined to finish goals once we start them.
I once read a method that advocated ‘constantly starting.’ Dedicate yourself to just five minutes of work on a task; the idea is that, once begun, a task is significantly easier to complete. Once those five minutes are up, you’re more likely to continue working. If not, you can dedicate yourself to just five more minutes after that.
Rinse and repeat.
If that doesn’t work for you, there’s always my favorite productivity technique — the Pomodoro Method. Set a timer for 25 minutes and begin working. During those 25 minutes, don’t edit or revise or even backspace. Push forward with your text, leaving all mistakes in place.
Once those 25 minutes are complete, take a 5 minute break, then work for another 25 minutes. Take a 10 minute break, work for another 25, then take another 5 minute break before completing a fourth 25 minute session.
It’s amazing how much work can be completed in such a short time by following this method.
Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself, and then comment below with how effective it was.
Patrick is a freelance writer, novelist, entrepreneur, and adventurer. Follow his travels at Voyager’s Quill.