Good for you for setting limits. I think this is a good strategy for when we know we want to curtail our aimless procrastinating (as opposed to a necessary and needed break.)

I think for me, another thing that can affect how much I procrastinate is how much energy I have in the tank. Ironically, the more on my plate (especially having too many different tasks to manage at once) can cause me to want to procrastinate more because I don’t even know where to start with my to-do list.

I am not a multitasker and find when I do have to manage too many things, I can do it (and must) but the quality and output is less than if I had the same workload that spanned only a few tasks.

Hi Robert,

Definitely there are different types of writers, and for some, procrastination isn’t a factor for the reasons you listed here–they’re hobbyists, they have a system in place that works for them, they’re letting ideas soak, or they’re just taking a mental break. All good reasons to have non-writing time. 🙂

This article is for anyone feeling they may have an issue with procrastination, or they would benefit from having systems or additional strategies in place to help them get those words in. Everyone should write at their own pace, and find a process for them.

I am not sure that it has ever been a problem with a WIP or anything other than “Writing can be hard work”. Sure, there are times when the words just flow and those times are heavenly but there are times, especially editing, where it becomes a mental exercise in perseverance. Plus I am lazy by nature and so anything to put off the hard work.

Haha, I love that – too funny. I hope there were some ideas here if you’re feeling like maybe you’re spending a bit too much time on other things rather than getting writing done. 😉

It has also been my observation that many writers waste even more time on pseudo-professional tasks–posting on social media because they think they have to as part of ‘marketing’; attending conferences and workshops and reading books on writing compulsively (at some point enough already; listening and reading only get one so far, at some point, one has to learn writing by writing); book signing events at which four people buy copies (because its the wrong time in their career or wrong location or they’re doing it wrong) or giving readings or library talks or etc–all activities that successful writers engage in but which are not paying off currently for those early in their careers. Professional writers guard their time jealously and only do a workshop or a reading or signing if they know for sure it’s going to pay off big for them…’starting small and working up to crowds’ doesn’t actually work that way. One should wait until there is a crowd before assigning those tasks writing time.

Of course, I agree with all of the advice suggested here for those to whom it applies–good advice for those who find the time they have assigned to writing does not result in writing (say, half my thesis students). I just wanted to suggest some context, and that those for whom the advice is not relevant should not feel guilty if they would rather goof than write.

For the story I’m currently writing, I’m happy to say I’ve got my story materials in the one place – One Stop for Writers! 😊 While filling in character backstories, I realised I needed to strengthen the motivation of a couple of key characters, something I hadn’t appreciated up until that point. For that reason alone, One Stop has been priceless, thank you!

This can get me, too. I have tried to not look in the morning, as I know that’s a tip some use, but it just doesn’t work for me. So I minimize how long I’m there by just sorting the email and responding to the most critical ones. The rest I save for later in the day when I need a mental break. 😉