This is Video 1.3A

in the course:

Get Paid To Write

Module 1:

How to overcome procrastination,

writer’s block, and

rookie writing errors

Learning outcomes:

How to:

• Overcome procrastination

• Deal with perfectionism

• Create space to write

Learning outcomes:

• Write, edit and proof efficiently

• Write quickly

• Keep motivated

• We’re afraid that the final result will not be good enough

• This fear stops us from starting

Why don’t we start sooner?

• “Perfectionist” Syndrome

• People pride themselves on it - not a quality we should aspire to

Why don’t we start sooner?

• To put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness

• To postpone or delay needlessly

Overcoming procrastination:

• It’s a habit - needs to be worked on constantly

Overcoming procrastination:

Leads to:

• Less confidence

• Defensiveness

• Reduced productivity

• Demand for higher standards from others

• This creates pressure on others to match your standards – perpetuates the cycle

Perfectionism:

• Get clear about the task - often confusion about what is needed causes procrastination

• Break the job down into chunks

Solutions to procrastination:

• Read a motivational book or listen to a podcast - have it handy

• Start with the end in mind - visualise what the final product/piece will look like

Solutions to procrastination:

• Stop - go for a walk, a bike ride, get a coffee, tackle another part -but come back

Solutions to procrastination:

Say to yourself:

• “Complete Complete Complete”

• “This is good enough for now”

Mantras to manage procrastination:

• “This will do”

• “I will make it better next time”

• “This has to get finished now”

Mantras to manage procrastination:

• “It’s probably better than I think it is”

• “Will more tinkering make it measurably better?”

Mantras to manage procrastination:

• What’s the worst that can happen?

• We’re not saving lives

• Will this matter in 10/10/10?

Mantras to manage procrastination:

• If you’re not scared once a day, you’re not growing

• Visit a cemetery - often. Acknowledge this is where you’ll end up - so you may as well live life to full and not care what the critics think

Mantras to manage procrastination:

• Promise yourself that you’ll only write for 20 minutes

• Make phone calls if you don’t feel like writing

Getting started:

• Go to a café and make notes in a book if you don’t feel like writing

• Make an appointment to see a supplier/strategic alliance to get motivated without doing any work

Getting started:

• Think how good you’ll feel when it’s done

• Plan a lunch with a friend at 1pm -if you are on a roll, cancel the lunch and schedule dinner

Getting started:

• Write with a buddy

• Set an immovable deadline -book a holiday

Getting started:

• Short term reward: “When I finish this job/page/project, I’ll book a massage/lunch”

• Long term reward: Book a holiday -something to look forward to

Getting started:

• Work for 20 minutes only

• Do some research and tell yourself you aren’t doing any writing that day

Getting started:

• Have motivational/educational CDs/podcasts in the car

• Listen to fast tempo music before starting work

Getting started:

• Make some phone calls or do research if you can’t manage to do any writing

• Attend professional development courses/seminars/webinars -keep refreshed

Getting started:

• Read motivational literature:

• Tim Ferriss

• Eric Ries (Lean Startup)

• Smart Company

Keeping motivated on a day to day basis:

• Dynamic Business

• Anthill

• Malcolm Gladwell

• Inspirational business quotes

Keeping motivated on a day to day basis:

• Read it first thing in the morning if you’re struggling to get up

Keeping motivated on a day to day basis:

• Set yourself up for success

Creating space to write:

• Some clutter is okay

• A lot of clutter is not

Clear the decks before you start:

• Clear the desk - even if you have to shift it to another room for the time being without going through it page by page

• Peter Walsh - author

Clear the decks before you start:

• Write first thing in the morning - not for everyone but generally best for many

• Don’t be tempted to check emails before you start - distracts your brain

When should you write?

• Brain Dump – the night before, make a ‘to-do’ list of everything you have to do so you can focus on writing

• Turn off the phone, turn off the email alert, close the door, put headphones on

When should you write?

• Multi-tasking is a myth - it’s not possible -research proves it

• Getting clear on the task and writer’s block: coming up

When should you write?

This is the end of Video 1.3A

in the course:

Get Paid To Write

Module 1:

How to overcome procrastination,

writer’s block,

and rookie writing errors