Do you have trouble taking the very first step in creating a new project, especially in this time? How do you tackle procrastination?

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  • Thank you all for your responses! It was insighful, useful and really interesting to read your thoughts. I experimented a few escamotages myself in the past few weeks, that I would like to share with you.
    First of all, I took some distance from the Procrastination Kingdom of social media, limiting it to timed breaks or at the end of the day (but not before sleeping!).
    Time is money, someone says. I traded quantity for quality. Instead of forcing myself to sit in front of the computer for 10 hours (and eventually getting distracted every 5 minutes by notifications, emails, unnecessary laundry and coffee breaks, jumping from one idea to the other...), I created limited-time concentration bubbles: turn off your phone, sit down, and write/work for 2 or 3 hours. You can then reward yourself with a nice break.
    I used to work very well at night time, when everything is quiet and light is soft. These days, not sure if it's lockdown mode or simply getting old, I doze off in front of the screen by sunset. But I discovered the mornings! It is very important for me to set the tone of the day right from the start. I wake up early, normally between 6:30 and 7am and start my ritual. Meditation is fundamental for me to wake up the senses and turn on the mind, it's like stretching before jogging.
    Talking about jogging, I take a walk and do breathing excercises in the fresh air, spreading oxygen through the whole body.
    When I sit at my desk I feel I've already done so many things, and it' only 9 am!
    Time to write. The first thing I do when I open the computer is something very simple yet essential, but works wonders: I sit and write continuously for 15 minutes. Literally, you set a timer and give yourself no other task but writing, about anything that crosses your mind. There are no given themes, no perfomance, no expectations involved. It can be a series of disconnected thoughts, a description of the room, a reflection on the weather, pills of self-analysis, a memory...anything really. Don't worry if you make mistakes or misspell words. It's for you. The only rule is to never stop writing for 15 minutes. If you make this practice a regular habit, trust me, you'll be susrprised of the doors it can open.
    A last tip, in these lonely creative times, is to talk about your ideas. I'm sure we all have a few trusted creative friends struggling with the same issues. So when the head starts spinning and your brain is crowded with judgemental multiple personalities, pick up the phone or join a creative zoom (or write on The Dots :P) and have a chat!
    A great procrastination fuel among creatives, is the belief that the most brilliant ideas come under pression at the last minute. False. Creativity is a gift but we have to foster and train it with resilience and dedication. There's no escape: you have to do the work. And you'll always have time to integrate that last-minute brilliant idea.
    There, I think writing this short essay took about 15 minutes :)
    If you took the time to read it, thank you. I hope you'll find it useful!
  • The mantra I always use when I feel like this is 'Done is better than perfect' - often it's the feeling I have that things need to be perfect in order to do them at all but in fact you just need to do 'something'. Everything takes time to build so just do something small each day to get you on track to build it, and don't berate yourself if you don't do something or you miss a day, just get back on it! Also creating a 'vision board' where you write about yourself as if the things you want to achieve now have already happened i.e. 'It's November 2021 and I've completed X project and it helped me get X opportunity.' And don't over think things! xxx
  • Ah the eternal question! How to defeat procrastination?

    I find that it manifests itself in a variety of ways and right now due to the situation the world finds itself in, it's tougher than ever.

    Last year I set up a production company after putting it off for 3-4 years. I talked to lots of people about it and nearly did it a couple of times but it was only when I was in lockdown and had the time to organise my thoughts, did I decide to take the leap. It's been a lot of work but now I'm in it, taking first or next steps (for the company) are forced on me which does help!

    I find taking regular breaks, not forcing things if you're hitting a wall and keeping track of and going back to old ideas, are all things that help. Sometimes it's just not the right time for an idea or a concept.

    Good luck!
  • I think stepping back can sometimes help to motivate. So if you're struggling, go do something else for an afternoon or evening. Step away from the project, don't think about it and just do something you enjoy. It can help your mind reset :)
  • So tempted to write a step-by-step guide on how i work as a Digital Marketer to help people start a Digital Marketing small business.

    Been procrastinating a lot.

    I define procrastination sometimes as doing the most difficult part last.
  • It's part of the process so I try not to stress about it. I also try not to use that word. Why does a coffee get time to brew but we don't?
    That being said, sometimes it is just time to get that first draft written or that admin done. So make sure to give yourself doing time and get something down on paper.

  • Procrastination is part of the process - let it happen and notice any thoughts or ideas that come to mind before you actually sit down to work.
  • Hi Martina.

    “Procrastination is the thief of time” is an often used phrase.

    However, it is also a signal that you should take note of. Because it is making a suggestion that you shift your mindset.

    We go around, especially when it comes to projects and work, thinking ‘HOW’ do I do this? Sometimes we have gaps in our knowledge or experience which simply mean we’re not equipped to do it. Yet.

    At those moments, we procrastinate. And, in those moments, shift your mindset. Ask ‘WHO’ can help me make this happen.

    This shift from HOW to WHO is the subject of a brilliant business book by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy.

    Check it out as it will really help.

    Stay Boom!

    S
  • Sometimes it helps to divide a bigger task into smaller tasks. So instead of saying I am going to write that script or that pitch say I am going to sit at my desk and open my laptop. That's easy enough. After you do it say I am going to go open Final Cut and Save a new file under this title or something like that. I got the idea from an article in Psychologies magazine titled Motivation SOS by Oliver Burkeman and I ind this technique really helpful for when I don't feel like doing something. Baby steps, basically.
  • I remind myself daily that the only person that can change my circumstances and situation is me and the only way I can change those things is through sacrifice, sure watching videos on YouTube for hours at a time is great, but why not spend that time learning and developing new skills ? Change the habits you form around your procrastination to form new, more positive ones. If you don’t have the self discipline for that, remind yourself daily that one day you will die and if that doesn’t motivate you to do the work. You may as well make yourself a snack haha.

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