You sit down to write. Then you notice dirty dishes in the sink. You should sweep the floor, too.
And pay that water bill. You look up, and it’s somehow been two hours. You still haven’t written a word.
Does this sound familiar?
If so, you aren’t alone. Writers are prone to procrastination.
In fact, research has shown that college students procrastinate on writing essays more than any other task.
Some 46% of college students procrastinated on writing, compared to 30% for weekly assignments and 27% for studying for tests.
Procrastination doesn’t have to waylay your writing goals. Use these tips to minimize procrastination and get back to writing.
1. Turn on Airplane Mode or Unplug Your Router (Seriously)
As the Indian writer Vikram Seth wrote, “Boredom provides a stronger inclination to write than anything.”
The best environment for writing is a boring one with no distractions. As you’ll see, most of these tips focus on removing anything distracting from your writing area.
Your strongest ally in removing distractions is disabling the internet. There are several ways to do this. First, make sure you are using a word processor that will save changes while offline.
Microsoft Word is an ideal option. Next, go to your computer settings and turn on Airplane Mode if available. If not, see if you can toggle off Wi-Fi.
If your computer doesn’t have those settings easily available, it’s time to unplug your router. The router is the box that transmits Wi-Fi throughout your home.
These steps may feel extreme. However, sometimes an extreme step is needed. Human habits are not formed through willpower as much as through routine and access.
By removing your ability to go online, you no longer have to fight internally about your time spent surfing the web. You won’t be able to make that choice anymore. No more checking your email or social media.
Every time you go to open a new tab, you will be reminded of your current task. Try disabling the internet, and see how it affects your productivity. While it may be infuriating, it works.
2. Put Your Phone in Another Room
Disabling your internet doesn’t help if you just start scrolling on your phone. The goal is to remove the lure of the internet. To do this, put your phone in a different room. This way, you’ll have to stand up and move if you really need it. This extra step gives you a moment to consider what you are doing. You can then make a clear choice about whether you truly need to use your phone.
If your phone is your top distraction, consider powering it off. If you are worried about being unavailable, let your loved ones know. Tell them you will be off-grid for one or two hours.
It might feel scary, but it will be okay. Humans survived without cell phones for millennia.
Disconnect from your phone, and get to work.
3. Clear Off Your Workspace and Add a Reward
Your workspace should also be as distraction-free as possible. Remove anything that diverts your attention.
For example, store paperwork and books elsewhere. Clutter, in general, worsens productivity, so tidy up. Try to make it a priority to keep your desk or work area as empty and neat as possible.
There is one exception. A key finding in behavioural science is the power of rewards. When you receive a reward for doing a specific action, you are more likely to repeat that action in the future.
With procrastination, the hardest part is getting started. You want to reward yourself each time you start writing.
Pick out something you love and put it on your desk. Once you start writing, treat yourself to it as a reward. For example, buy a pack of your favourite snacks and store them next to your workspace. Or, put a good-smelling candle nearby and light it once you’ve started writing.
Pick out whatever reward you know you will love. Only let yourself have it once you start writing.
By keeping your desk clutter-free besides this treat, you’ll find yourself getting to work sooner each time.
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4. Take Scheduled Breaks
Sometimes, procrastination indicates that you are feeling overwhelmed. It’s a way to avoid a stressful task. With writing, the jobs are often large and time-consuming. It’s intimidating to start writing a whole manuscript, chapter, or blog post. Take the pressure off by focusing on time rather than outcome.
Do this by using scheduled breaks. Sit down to write for just 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, take a five-minute break. Then repeat this 30-on, five-off schedule. After four or five cycles, take a longer break. It doesn’t matter how much writing you complete. It doesn’t even matter if the writing is good. What matters is that you sit down for 30 minutes and write.
In Conclusion
Procrastination in writing is common. But it’s important to realize that it doesn’t have to hold up your creative goals. Take control of your writing practice by removing distractions. Then take the pressure off with scheduled breaks. Finally, find the joy again as you reward yourself for a job well done. Use these steps, and you’ll be on your way toward your best writing yet.
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