Writers First Aid

Can You Compartmentalize?

August 31, 2011

blindersf When re-reading Getting It Done by Andrew J. DuBrin, PH.D., I came to a section on dealing with procrastination. One suggestion is something I’d like your feedback on.

He said you can make progress with procrastination if you “compartmentalize spheres of life.” He says that if you have multiple demands on your time that seem overwhelming, “mentally wear the same blinders placed on horses so they can concentrate better on the race and not be distracted.”

Box It Up!

I would love to be able to do that on a regular basis! Are you able to compartmentalize? I agree with the author that procrastination is more tempting when multiple demands are swirling and competing in your mind.

I think that male writers have an advantage here. They seem able to put things in boxes, tape the lids shut, and then deal with one box at a time. (I know this for a fact because I can tell when I am being put in the “wife” box!)

Women, however, mix things up. Our concern for our child’s health or marriage problems or a sibling’s financial crisis “bleeds over” into our writing time. And we tend to feel guilty if we’re happily typing away while a member of our family is in trouble or needs us.

‘Fess Up

So…please share your wisdom with me. Men, if you can explain how to put things in boxes or make blinders work, please advise. Ladies, if you’ve figured out how to push aside your other concerns while you write, please share.

I bet we could all use some tips!

Post tags: discipline, distractions, focus, focusing, procrastination, writing habits

Posted in: families,focusing,habits,procrastination,writing challenges | | Comments (12)

12 Comments »

Oh, I compartmentalize…I literally put projects in boxes (except for my husband) and label them with details and dates then store them in a bookcase with curtain. I list the projects that are critical on a white board BEHIND my writing/drawing table.
With me it’s got to be out of sight to be out of mind but not too out of sight. My pocket calendar, which doesn’t leave my side keeps me on deadline. And there’s too much stuff on the ‘smart phone’ (what a misnomer).
Then I go ahead and procrastinate anyway.

Comment by Kate Higgins — August 31, 2011 @ 7:21 pm
Kate, what a great idea–literally putting things in boxes and storing them away out of sight until the appropriate time. I’ve stacked stuff on bookshelves, but it’s haphazard and still in view. I think I need an out-of-sight place! I’m going to try it. Thanks for the tip!

Comment by Kristi Holl — August 31, 2011 @ 9:22 pm
Lately my husband and I have been making a list of what needs to be done. I have often made lists but the difference as of late is that we have been prioritizing the list as to the most important things. This is helpful because I tend to want to get everything done on the list at once and set unrealistic goals. Prioritizing has been helpful because I realize it can’t all be done at once and yet feel like things are getting accomplished when things can be crossed off. The list of tasks doesn’t seem like such a burden. I do agree with you that men are able to take one thing at a time much easier. My husband will put himself in the task until its done where as my mind still often thinks of the other things on the list. But having priorties still has helped the anxiety of all the stuff to be done. Though my next problem is that my husband doesn’t think writing time should be a priority . I have just started the children’s writing class and am so happy that I am finally taking a step at working on my writing as it’s always been a hobby. I don’t think my husband is taking it seriously though. So, therefore, I’m not getting in as much writing time as I was for awhile It does seem I get more time (make more time)for it when I’m busiest. My second problem is my 15 month old has learned to climb on the couch and wants to use my laptop. I guess writing time is having to go back to nap/bedtime among lots of other things to do at those times. I am trying to replan my writing time but haven’t quite got it figured out yet.

Comment by Jennifer Rathe — September 1, 2011 @ 1:40 pm
Jennifer, I hadn’t really considered this aspect of it, but you’re so right: knowing your priorities is key to stopping yourself from jumping mentally from project to project. If you have written priorities, you won’t be always asking yourself, “Should I maybe switch to that instead?”

About your husband: ahem. I had the same issue. It wasn’t until I stopped waiting for him to make my writing a priority–and made it a priority myself–that his attitude shifted. Work on convincing yourself that it’s a priority, and he’ll eventually fall in line.

I hear you about the baby! My granddaughter is at the same stage–I am back to writing during her naps too. The “nap box” holds the writing for many moms and Nanas!

Comment by Kristi Holl — September 1, 2011 @ 5:28 pm
Kristi – one thing I love about your blog is that I find I’m not the only one with these problems

Comment by Jennifer Rathe — September 1, 2011 @ 7:10 pm
Jennifer, that’s a great compliment! I have told my students over and over that “we’re all in this together.” I used to think that “real writers” didn’t have these issues to deal with. Not so! It’s just that many writers don’t talk about it, thinking no one else must feel that inadequate or scared or blocked or whatever. We all do!

Comment by Kristi Holl — September 2, 2011 @ 9:19 am
Well, I’m a pretty compartmentalized person, and have been since childhood. I could put aside unpleasant things and just go play instead of brood over them. I even accepted punishment with joy because I always did what I wanted. I know, I was my mother’s nightmare at times. Don’t tell my daughter.

I think we have to work with the kinds of minds we have. And if other parts bleed into writing, it’s not such a bad thing. But one does have to set boundaries. And as a mother, my writing life definitely is integrated with family life. My favorite way to keep focused on writing is to say: tomorrow (to the other things). I’ll take care of that tomorrow. And then forget about it. I learned this from our Belgian landlord

Comment by Vijaya — September 2, 2011 @ 11:51 am
Vijaya, I love the saying from your Belgian landlord! That’s a quick, one-size-fits-all solution to things that intrude!

Comment by Kristi Holl — September 3, 2011 @ 3:32 pm
Kristi. My entire life is compartmentalized, although not literally. I am a son, brother, husband, father and I have two jobs, writing, and the one that pays the bills. Those bills, when they come in are written on the calendar(a compartment of it’s own), so they can be paid before the due date…or at least that’s what I used to do. Now I pay them as soon as they come in, because then I don’t have to remember to check the calendar.

My daughter just started university in another city. I worried that she was too young, she procrastinates too much for university, her internet isn’t set up, her printer doesn’t work….it went on and on. I would sit in my writing room just looking at the screen. I had to let her go from my mind. I couldn’t help her from where I was anyway, besides my wife is still spilling enough tears for both of us. When my daughter comes back home for a visit, then I will give her my full attention, and the writing will have to wait.

Doug

Comment by Doug Shearer — September 7, 2011 @ 7:09 am
Doug, you hit on a couple of very important things. First, it sounds like you’re very organized. That has to help a person’s mind from jumping all over the place. “A place–or time–for everything, and everything in its place” has to help!

I had to smile at your struggle with letting your daughter go and deal with her own stuff at college. As you said, “I couldn’t help her from where I was anyway…” I loved your final line though–about giving her your full attention when she’s home.

Comment by Kristi Holl — September 7, 2011 @ 3:35 pm
I love your blog and the comments your readers contribute. I’m not very organized, and tend to procrastinate, but I do know about compartmentalizing. I was an ESL teacher at our local college, but my son was dying of cancer. It was hard to keep the tears under control. I managed to set aside half an hour at 7:30 every night just for crying and enduring whatever emotions were raging. During the day, when tears threatened, I promised myself my half hour that night. Somehow, it worked. Not every problem is that severe, but setting aside a time to deal with your most pressing issue might be one solution. As for the husband thing. ) I wear a particularly large and gawdy necklace when I don’t want to be disturbed. He has learned that when he sees that thing, he leaves me alone. I used to put a sign on the door like the hotels have, but I like to have the door open so that doesn’t work for me. This is obviously a very important topic. Thanks for all you do!

Comment by Diane Jones — September 8, 2011 @ 5:41 pm
Diane, I love the idea of the gawdy necklace! A clear sign that can be seen from far away.

I was stunned and awed by your example of compartmentalizing when your son was dying. Setting a time aside when you could really let go was so wise for many reasons. My hat goes off to you…that is the most incredibly difficult example/challenge that I’ve seen dealt with. The concept of “setting aside a time to deal with your most pressing issue” is brilliant. I’m going to try that!

Comment by Kristi Holl — September 9, 2011 @ 8:50 am