Getting over your procrastination and writing a novel is easier said then done!

What is Procrastination, REALLY.

When writing a novel, or undertaking the creation of a large complex story-line, having a strong sense of motivation is paramount. After a while of working on your new project, motivation can drop and turn into procrastination; and so the bane of writing is exposed.

I’ve found that procrastination comes from a creative space within ourselves that has fallen in love with the romantic image of working and succeeding in a project. This romantic image usually depicts the magical success that our novel will have for ourselves, and it is this image that we want to hold unto, and let live within our own minds for as long as possible.

Procrastination, using this romantic image, exists for the soul purpose of making sure that we don’t fail in our endeavor. After all, how can you fail if you never try? If our story is never finished, then our mind starts to say “oh, well it wasn’t going the way I wanted it. I could have finished it IF I WANTED TO.” This is the trap that our mind makes for ourselves so that we don’t face the reality of the situation; either the novel was more difficult to write than first thought, or the writing itself was crap.

In effect, procrastination is a protective reflex that kicks in when the reality of the romantic image starts to make itself apparent, so we end up getting distracted and eventually put it off.

Something else that I have noticed about procrastination is that those who do it a lot may actually have a subconscious fear of succeeding. By getting distracted and making excuses, the romance of being successful is never threatened by the reality of the situation.

But you may ask : “doesn’t everyone want to succeed? Especially when it comes to writing a novel?” Not necessarily. Many fear success as representing more pressure, more stress, more responsibility, and more shame/embarrassment if they fail. If you or anyone you know has been struggling with getting that big break, or even finding a little success, a good evaluation of what success means to you might be beneficial.

Overcoming it

It definitely is easier said then done. There is no easy step to overcome procrastination, in fact, it might not even be possible. But it IS possible to manage and dwindle its urge down to a point where it might not even be noticeable. Besides what I pointed out above, or through sheer strength of will, these tips below will give you a nice routine to rest back on. And help you get creative!

Raise your energy

One of the main causes for procrastination is lack of energy. After a long day, the last thing that many of us want to do is sit down and create; because after all, creating takes a serious amount of mental and emotional energy. It can be draining. So, one of the easiest way to remedy this is to physically raise your energy. Work out, ride a bike, go hiking, take a jog. Exercising raises your energy level, along with dopamine and endorphins.

It will make you feel pumped, and naturally “high” so to speak. After a good workout, you will have more juice to burn for your writing.

Inspiring Purpose

It might happen that that you lose motivation, for any number of reasons. Usually, the reason you may have become unmotivated is because you have drifted away from your inspiring purpose. The core inspiration that drove you to start your creative endeavor in the first place.

Find that purpose, and change whatever you need in your writing to realize that inspiration again.

The Double-Edged Sword of Perfectionism

Perfectionism, in our society, and for any work ethic that an artist might have, is seen as an admirable trait. And it most certainly is, yet, when it comes to writing a novel, perfectionism in the early stages can be a detriment.

If you’re too harsh on yourself in the beginning when all that matters is getting your story out on paper, it can add a heap of stress that will burden you to the point of procrastination, or worse, depression.

There is a time and a place for everything. Just like there is a time and place for criticism.

Like an olympic athlete, they strive for perfection in every competition they are in, but, they also know strategy. They wouldn’t blow all their energy on a preliminary match; they would only use the right amount to qualify for the finals, and then, give it thier all.

This is the same mentallity you need to have when writing. At the begining, take it easy. use it as a freeing, non-stress situation. Let the beginning be a way for you to playfully explore your world of words.

Then, when it comes to subsiquent drafts and edits, your perfectionsim can kick in.

Tame your critical mentality, and unleash it only when the time is right.

Now, go forth and create!

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