Although pretty crazy, it’s definitely a way to stay motivated to write!
Find a Reliability Buddy—More about this in a section to come, but a Reliability Buddy is similar to a chapter buddy. Find someone you trust to help you be accountable.
[And if you want even more ideas for staying on track for non-deadlined projects, read Devon Ellington’s post on the blog.]
Sit Down and Write!
In your journal, respond to and reflect on the following:
Brainstorm a list of potential Chapter Buddies/Reliability Buddies—Who in your life would make a good Chapter Buddy or Reliability Buddy? Who can you trust? Who will hold you accountable?
Narrow down the list—Take a look at the list and think about who you really want to ask to be your Buddy. Who would you work best with?
Draft your request—Write a draft e-mail asking this person to be your CB/RB. Mention what a CB/RB is, tell him/her what you’re up to, when you want your deadline to be and what you need from them. Detail how your process will work, what you’ll send them and when you’ll send it to them.
Sometimes, though, even with the most organized schedule, a self-set deadline and the best intentions, distractions can get in your way. Here are three suggestions for keeping distractions at bay:
*How To Turn Off Your Inner Editor
An inner editor is that voice inside your head that seems to pop up whenever you’re writing just to tell you your writing sucks or you need to go back and change that paragraph or rewrite that entire chapter, etc.
In actuality, your inner editor is just you. And so what you say to yourself is entirely up to you.
When an inner editor reveals itself, uncertainty is present, and therefore you second-guess yourself. A lack of confidence–in your work and yourself–makes this self-defying subconscious appear.
Whatever weight you may be carrying on your shoulders, or the bothersome thoughts running through your head, ignore them and complete your writing piece with the assurance that you know what you’re doing, and that you’re doing it well.
Ideas flourish when minds think soundly, and confidence will enable your mind to think in that manner.
When writers get “stumped” on a word, or can’t finish a paragraph, they often get flustered, which causes the inner editor to appear. And then the writer doesn’t finish the piece with 100 percent confidence (and sometimes the writer doesn’t finish the piece at all).
Self-reliance is another key factor that needs to be present in order to dodge your inner editor.
Maybe you were counting on another person for an interview before you could write your article and now the person hasn’t called you back. Or maybe you were counting on your writing partner for some research, but they didn’t get it done.
No matter, if you go into any writing situation prepared to complete it, regardless of any obstacles, you’ll be better able to turn off your inner editor and get your writing done.
Push on when you think it may not be thorough enough or it’s beginning to ramble, because that’s not portraying confidence in yourself and your work, and it will show in the writing.
Use your second draft to make changes.
For now, just get used to the fact that you are your own enemy and the moment you choose to remain confident, you’ll be able to turn off your inner editor and get your writing done.
Tips on How to Stay Confident
Come up with a writing affirmation–such as “I am a great writer” or “This piece of fiction is the best I’ve ever written”–and then repeat it to yourself whenever your inner editor pops up.
Post the affirmation by your writing area and refer to it whenever you feel your confidence shaking.
Use the voice recorder on your cell phone (or a handheld recorder if your phone doesn’t have one) and record yourself a little pep talk. Play it back to yourself whenever you need a confidence boost.
Close your eyes and imagine yourself reaching your writing goal (whatever it may be). Visualizing yourself attaining your dreams will help give you the confidence you need to continue writing.
Ask your friends and/or family to make a list of all the great things about you. Refer back to the list often. (You can also make a list yourself.)
Stay focused on the task at-hand. It’s easy to get distracted while writing (this is usually when the inner editor starts popping up), so try to keep focused on just getting the words down and not thinking about or doing anything else until you do.
Sit Down and Write!
In your journal, respond to and reflect on the following:
What does your inner editor tell you? What does it say to you? What claims does it make?
When does your inner editor pop up? How often? Do you notice a pattern in when it pops up?
Brainstorm ideas for shutting off your inner editor. What can you do to make that little voice shut up?
*Set A Specific Writing Time To Avoid Procrastination
If you’re like me, you tell yourself almost every day “I’m going to write today.” And then you find 300 other things to do that are just “so much more important,” like cleaning the bathroom, washing the laundry, picking up after your kids, etc. And then you never end up getting around to writing. And then you feel guilty for the rest of the day/night/week.
But what you don’t realize, is that by saying “I’m going to write today,” you’re setting yourself up for failure. Especially if you’re a procrastinator.
When you tell yourself you’re going to “write today” or that you’re going to spend “the day” or “the weekend” writing, you’re bombarding yourself with having to write, which makes you feel overwhelmed, and then you look for a million other excuses not to write.
To get writing done, instead of saying “I’m going to write all weekend,” tell yourself “I’m going to write for two hours on Sunday.” By setting a specific day and amount of time, you are not only giving yourself freedom to do the other things you have to do (like walk the dog, bake a cake…you get the idea), but you’re allowing yourself freedom to write without feeling bombarded by it.
Give it a try this weekend. Choose a day and an amount of time, then when that day comes, sit down and spend that much time writing. That’s it. No more, no less.
Sit Down and Write!
In your journal, respond to and reflect on the following:
How did setting a specific time work for you?
What went well during this writing experiment?
What didn’t go well?
*Reduce Distractions
* Distractions will always be around you, that’s a given. But you can reduce them by:
* Writing with the TV off.
* Going into a quiet room to write.
* Changing writing locales.
* Disabling your Internet connection (during your writing session).
* Have a nightly writing hour where no one is allowed to talk to you or call you (unless it’s an emergency, of course).
* Use a start-up list.
* Don’t multi-task. Do one activity at a time.
* Put your cell phone on silent.
Sit Down and Write!
In your journal, respond to and reflect on the following:
What distractions do you have during your writing time?
How do you deal with the distractions?
Brainstorm some ideas for reducing distractions in your life.
Productivity Tools
As you move along in your life and start to build in more and more time for your writing, you may start to feel a little overwhelmed.
Maybe you’re working on too many projects at once and can’t keep them all straight. Maybe it feels like you’re working insanely hard, but achieving no results. Maybe you are finding it difficult to reach your self-set deadlines.
Whatever issues you’re dealing with as you begin to write on a regular basis, the following productivity tools will help ensure you stay on track, reduce your stress and
feel less overwhelmed.
The key is to stay organized and stay positive. The rest can be taken care of using these great productivity tools:
*A Weekly Progress Report Will Keep You Updated and On-Task
Do you ever feel like you’re always busy doing something with your writing, and yet you never feel like you’re accomplishing anything?
If that sounds like you, consider keeping a weekly progress report.
I’ve been keeping one for awhile now and I already feel like I get more done.
Here’s why:
* A progress report details every little step you have to take to get from point A to point B.
* A progress report helps you keep track of what you’ve completed and what still needs to be done.
* A progress report forces you to really see how much you’ve accomplished.
If you think a weekly progress report will help you, here are some steps you should take:
1. Find a Reliability Buddy (see next productivity tool for more details) or someone supportive you can send your progress report to each week who will help you stay on track.
2. Sit down with a notepad and pen or your computer and write down every project you’re working on.
3. Underneath each project name, make a list of all the steps you have to take to get where you want to go. For example, one of the projects on your list might be write a novel. So the items you list below it should include: Fill out plot sheet, fill out character sheets for main characters, create plot outline, write prologue, write chapter one, write chapter two, etc.
Including every, single step, no matter how small, is the key to the most effective progress report.
4. Check things off as you finish them.
5. Add items as things come up.
6. At the end of the week, send your progress report to your Reliability Buddy.
7. Be sure to read through your list, as well and bask in the glory of all you accomplished.
I was getting extremely irritated awhile ago because I felt like, no matter how hard I was working, nothing was getting done. That’s when I started writing down every, single, little step I needed to take in order to truly feel like I was getting stuff done.
The reason I wasn’t feeling accomplished at first was because the progress reports I was keeping weren’t detailed enough, so nothing was getting checked off.
For example, I had on my list “finish novel” at one point. But that’s all I had written down, and because my novel wasn’t finished yet, it felt like I wasn’t accomplishing anything. But when I wrote down all the steps it takes me to get to a finished novel (plot/character sheets, plot outline, write chapter 1, write chapter 2, etc), I started to see that I was actually getting something done.
Also, at the beginning of each week, write down the goals you have for the week. Goals can include anything, but some examples could be: work on novel, finish freelance article, contact client about their Web site.
Here’s a sample progress report of mine from last December:
Progress Report for the Week of Nov. 29 to December 5
Goals for the week:
* Write 3 Procrastinating Writers posts (ongoing)
* Add prompts into Write Everyday tool (5/week; ongoing)
* Brainstorm cover concepts for Butt-In-Chair eBook (due Dec. 5)
Project: Procrastinating Writers Weekly Posts (3/week)
* Write an enticing headline (see headline series on Copyblogger for ideas)
* Write post
* Ask: “Would this work better if I split it into two/several posts?”
* Include byline (in bold)
* Find photo on Flickr Creative Commons and upload with “courtesy of”
* Choose categories
* Add author bio
* Add share button
* Analyze through Scribe for keywords and SEO
* Write custom title and description
* Select the publication date
* Hit the “schedule” button
Project: Butt-In-Chair eBook Cover
* Brainstorm cover concepts
* Contact Adam (my eBook designer) for time schedule
* Write up detailed e-mail with cover ideas
* Send cover ideas to Adam for consultation
* Review Adam’s cover draft
* Send back for any requested changes
* Review Adam’s final cover draft
* The more detailed you are, the more you’ll be able to keep track of what you’re accomplishing.
Sit Down and Write!
In your journal, respond to and reflect on the following:
How did having a weekly progress report work for you?
What went well?
What didn’t go very well?
*A Reliability Buddy
All writers—but especially procrastinating writers—need someone to rely on for support; they need someone they can be sure will hold them accountable for getting their writing done.
Enter your Reliability Buddy.
What Is a Reliability Buddy?
A Reliability Buddy (aka: RB) is a person who you can count on for support when you’re having a difficult writing time; is a person who will hold you accountable for getting your weekly chapters done; is a person who will listen as you let off steam about your writing.
Why Is A RB Important?
A RB is important because, as a procrastinator, it’s likely you need this person to help you stay on track, meet your deadlines and get your writing done.
I don’t know about you, but I know I always write more often and get more writing accomplished when I have someone to be accountable to. The idea of letting the person down keeps me writing.
How to Find A RB
A Reliability Buddy can be anyone you choose—your mom, your sister, your significant other. However, there are some guidelines you should follow when locating your RB:
Choose a person who will actually hold you accountable. So many of us have friends/family we can rely on, but not when it comes to relying on them to force us into getting our writing done. That’s why it’s important to choose someone who will hold you accountable and won’t let your procrastination or excuses get you out of hitting your deadlines.
Choose a person who will be consistent. You need a RB that will consistently check in with you to see how you’re doing and who will call you out for not hitting a deadline. You don’t want to choose someone who checks in with you a couple times and then never does again. You need someone willing to commit to your success.
Choose someone you can deal with objectively and continually. I know this sounds like no-duh advice, but you’d be surprised how often you’ll get irritated at your RB just for doing what you’ve asked him/her to do. Liking the RB you choose is important because you’re going to be hearing from the person a lot, so you definitely want it to be someone you can handle constant contact with. It’s also important for your RB to be someone you can be objective with, meaning he/she can advise you, nag you, call you out—whatever it takes for you to get your writing done—and you won’t get mad at him/her for it.
Choose someone you trust. Your RB needs to be someone you can trust. Someone you know will hold up his/her end of the bargain and hold you accountable for the writing deadlines you set for yourself.
Sit Down and Write!
In your journal, respond to and reflect on the following:
How has working with a Reliability Buddy been going for you?
What’s been working?
What hasn’t been working?
What changes do you need to make?
* 3 Most Important Tasks
I came across this productivity tool through Leo Babauta’s blog, Zen Habits. And it’s an extremely effective way of prioritizing your daily tasks and accomplishing a lot more than you will realize.
The 3 Most Important Tasks (MIT) are the 3 tasks you must accomplish that day—whatever they might be. I recommend at least one of those tasks be re
lated to your writing projects and goals.
Now that’s not to say you won’t get a lot more done in your day then your 3 MITs, but having the MITs will help ensure you complete the tasks that you most need to get done.
Here’s the process I use with my 3 MITs:
1. Each night before bed, I think about what I need to complete the next day.
2. I grab a Post-It note and write my 3 MITs down on it.
3. I attach the Post-It to the notebook I carry with me everywhere.
4. The next morning, I review my 3 MITs for the day and think about when I’ll be able to fit them in.
5. As I complete each task, I cross it off.
6. Then I repeat the process.
At least one of my tasks always relates to my writing; on occasion, all three of my tasks are related to my writing.
Butt-In-Chair: A No-Excuses Guide For Writers Who Struggle To Get Started Page 7