People ask me all the time about how do I manage my time, my assignments - and enjoy life with my wonderful family, too? In truth, procrastination has a lot to do with it!
This is absolutely true, and thanks for the reminder. The more time I spend not writing the easier it is, in the end, to write. But not writing means actively *not writing* --not actively doing something else.
Interesting! In my case it very much does work when I'm actively doing something else. Not another writing project, of course - but it can be something that has me completely absorbed. I still know that, at the back of my mind, things continue to percolate. We're operating on a number of levels and are most often not aware of them - the nice thing about that is, we don't have to! Things pop up when they're good and ready.
Gotta say, though, I particularly enjoy procrastinating with "chores" like lawnmowing or weeding or raking, etc. The brain goes into conscious free-flow. I'm aware of what's happening and just allow things to flow, watching them as they pass by. A particular favorite of mine is dusting the many shelves in my office with all the knickknack - even better, rearranging the office, moving things from this wall to that and one shelf to another - just picking stuff up, putting it elsewhere. When my wife sees me do that she knows that I'm definitely 'working' on a story.
I've recently taken a very mundane and repetitive "job" that requires little to no thought. It gives me 4 hours of "conscious free-flow" every weekday. Now, I love this "job" for this reason only. I'm not a writer, but the benefits of this time are obvious in so many ways. New subscriber (free) just checking out what Substack has to offer. Your comments on another writers thread brought me here. I like your writing and subjects matter.
This is absolutely true, and thanks for the reminder. The more time I spend not writing the easier it is, in the end, to write. But not writing means actively *not writing* --not actively doing something else.
Interesting! In my case it very much does work when I'm actively doing something else. Not another writing project, of course - but it can be something that has me completely absorbed. I still know that, at the back of my mind, things continue to percolate. We're operating on a number of levels and are most often not aware of them - the nice thing about that is, we don't have to! Things pop up when they're good and ready.
Gotta say, though, I particularly enjoy procrastinating with "chores" like lawnmowing or weeding or raking, etc. The brain goes into conscious free-flow. I'm aware of what's happening and just allow things to flow, watching them as they pass by. A particular favorite of mine is dusting the many shelves in my office with all the knickknack - even better, rearranging the office, moving things from this wall to that and one shelf to another - just picking stuff up, putting it elsewhere. When my wife sees me do that she knows that I'm definitely 'working' on a story.
By the way, ever watch Jason Fried's TED Talk? It's about where people have the best ideas - worth watching, fun, too. > https://www.ted.com/talks/jason_fried_why_work_doesn_t_happen_at_work?language=en
I've recently taken a very mundane and repetitive "job" that requires little to no thought. It gives me 4 hours of "conscious free-flow" every weekday. Now, I love this "job" for this reason only. I'm not a writer, but the benefits of this time are obvious in so many ways. New subscriber (free) just checking out what Substack has to offer. Your comments on another writers thread brought me here. I like your writing and subjects matter.
Yes I agree I get my best work for my newsletter done while doing the dishes, etc. The Ted talk sounds very cool—I will check it out!