Confessions of a procrastinator…

Welcome to my first reflection. But before we continue, there’s something I have to tell you about myself that I didn't include in the brief bio - I am a procrastinator. There, the truth is out. Judge me as you wish.

I reach the pinnacle of procrastinating when it comes to writing. You know the old joke - I could have written the book about procrastination but I didn’t get round to it. That’s me. Excuses? I can give you a thousand - that’s part of the procrastinator’s art.

Here’s a typical conversation I have with myself as I sit down to write. I’ve cleared time for this, I’ve prepared the space, everything is ready to go as I face that blank screen.

OK, well get going.

Yes but what will I write. Anyway, I need to bring the washing in.

No you don’t. Get typing.

But it’s going to rain!

Yes, but not until next week. The washing is safe.

OK. I’ll write. But first a cup of coffee.

You don’t need that. Stay put.

Look, I’ll just be a moment and it will help me concentrate.

Right, I’m back. Here I go. I’m definitely going to write something.

I am really. I just need a few moments to think about what.

It doesn’t matter what! Anything. You can do this.

Not sure I can actually. What if I just produce rubbish? 

It doesn’t matter! Writing takes practice. What is your problem?

The problem is that I expect myself to be good at things from the beginning without the practice.

Is that just laziness?

I think it’s more about having too high expectations of myself.

OK. Well that’s very moving and insightful. But perhaps best summarised as procrastination. Basic question. Do you want to write and to be a contributing member of the Writers Group?

Absolutely yes.

Then just do it.

I will. I’m going to. Here I go.  I’ll just go and get the mail in.

Why is that important?

Because a burglar might think we are away if the letter box is not emptied.

I think you’ve got a few hours before that risk arrives. Stay put and write.

Yes, but I think I should clean the oven first.

Why?

Because it’s dirty.

It’s needed doing for ages. Admit it. Cleaning the oven is a holy and a wholesome thing to do but why now?

Because I have the free time now to do it.

No, you don’t. This is writing time.

I find it hard to give writing time priority. I see other things as more important.

But those other things only come to mind when you sit down to write. What is it about writing?

I guess with other activities, I have a clear focus, I know what needs to be done and I have definite goals.

Right, now, we are getting somewhere. How do you get those conditions to apply to your writing?

A project. I need a project. Breakthrough thinking!  I’ll get a project. But in the meantime, I have to write something today to share with the Writers Group tomorrow.

Then just do some wild writing. Pick an object in front of you and just write for five minutes without thinking too much.

Yes, yes, yes. That’s it. Here I go! I’ll just get a muesli bar. Can’t write if I’m hungry. And goodness the dog hasn’t had a walk yet! And that mailbox is a burglar magnet. And it IS going to rain so I better get the washing in.

And so dear readers, you see the problem….