December 14, 2009

Did you know that there’s actually no such thing as procrastination?

When people claim to be lazy or procrastinators, it’s assumed that they are doing nothing. That actually isn’t possible. According to my Simpleology course, “procrastination and laziness are really just ineffective actions masquerading as INaction.” In other words, you are always acting, even when you think you’re not.

Acting (Incognito)

I took a poll among friends and asked them what they did when they procrastinated instead of writing. Most said “nothing.” I challenged them that they couldn’t actually do nothing–even if they were staring out a window or thinking, that was doing something.

“Oh well, in that case,” they said… The list of ineffective actions they performed instead of writing included many of my own favorites: thumbing through junk mail ads, reading email, staring out the window, berating myself for procrastinating, watching mindless YouTube videos forwarded to me, grazing in the pantry…you get the idea.

Choices, Choices

In other words, procrastinating isn’t about making yourself do something instead of nothing. You’re already doing something! And that something has an impact on your writing.

Procrastinating is about making choices–choices that have consequences. I’m choosing to eat a bunch of candy instead of writing. What is the result of that choice? Well, after the sugar high, my energy plunges to zero. I have no appetite later for my healthy supper and so miss the nutrients my body actually needs. And so my energy level goes down further, and I’m very slow and unproductive.

Or I might choose to watch silly TV or YouTube videos instead of writing. And the results of that choice? Time is gone quickly that I could have been writing. Depression sets in because I got nothing done today on my book. I need some chocolate or other comfort food to perk up my mood. (Or if you’re a shopoholic, maybe you need to buy yourself something to lift your spirits.) Either way, we’ve lost time and/or money.

Making Wiser Choices

Procrastination ISN’T doing nothing. It’s usually choosing to do something destructive. Those choices nearly always deplete you in some way. You end up with less energy, less time, or less money.

The next time you decide to procrastinate instead of sitting down to write, at least be honest with yourself. I have been doing this lately, and I tell you, it feels pretty lame to say, “Right now I am choosing to eat candy bars instead of write” or “I choose to water my plants instead of write today.”  I’m not having trouble getting started. I’m simply choosing one activity (with poor consequences) over my writing (which usually carries good consequences.)

More and more lately, when I face the fact that I’m making choices with consequences, I’m choosing to write instead. And it feels good.

4 Comments »

1. 

   I needed to hear this, Kristi, because it’s right on. I’ve asked my husband to help me this vacation. Just like we ask the kids to show us their homework, he can ask me to see the pages I worked on …

   “More and more lately, when I face the fact that I’m making choices with consequences, I’m choosing to write instead. And it feels good.”

   I suspect most of us feel good when we write, so why don’t we?

   Thanks for helping me get back on track.

   Comment by Vijaya — December 15, 2009 @ 11:18 am

2. 

   Vijaya, I suspect we don’t do it more often because of the work that comes before the “feel good” part. But it’s more than just work–it’s overcoming all the various fears we have about writing. I’m not allergic to work–I work all the time! But teaching and blogging and cleaning and leading groups doesn’t scare me. Writing still has anxiety attached to it until I get started–and then it seems to vanish. Silly, right? But true nevertheless! Your idea with your husband sounds like a winner!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — December 16, 2009 @ 12:11 pm

3. 

   Well, Kristi, if YOU procrastinate, of all people, it sure makes ME feel good! Tee…hee…I’m quite terrible with my writing habits. I found this year that my blog really helped a lot. I kept quite disciplined about writing in it. I’m going to put your blog as a link on mine. I do enjoy your posts.

   Comment by Loretta Houben — December 17, 2009 @ 10:30 am

4. 

   Loretta, thanks for linking to my blog. I appreciate it. Yes, a regular blog does make writing a good habit. I’m good about the writing or teaching that I know people are actually waiting for. It’s the other stuff–the works-in-progress–that I tend to procrastinate on.

   Comment by Kristi Holl — December 17, 2009 @ 11:11 am

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