Procrastination: The Ultimate Writing Tool

If there’s one thing I know about myself, it’s that I can’t plan more than a few days ahead of time, and even when I do, it’s gonna be in pencil—while I’m brandishing an eraser in my other hand.

Sometimes I forget that aspect of my personality, and I actually try to PLOT, rather than PANTS. It never ends well. In fact, it adds unnecessary pressure trying to conform to something so foreign to my being.

That’s when I realize I need to call upon a higher power: The Power of Procrastination. It’s often characterized as the ugly stepsister of Avoidance, and I will admit I’ve helped to keep that notion alive. But I wonder if I’ve been a little too harsh. 

After all, what is Procrastination but Avoidance allowed to roam free?

Let’s take a peek at some famous procrastinators:

Scarlett O’Hara:  “After all, tomorrow is another day”

Mark Twain:  “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow”

Lil Orphan Annie:  Honestly, is there anybody who could love “tomorrow” more than this gal?

What do they all have in common? They have a deep-seated, unshakeable, abiding belief that there is PLENTY OF TIME.

Yes, procrastination is a hope-based philosophy. Optimism is the cornerstone of this belief system, along with faith that time won’t run out before we finish what we need to do. . .some distant day in the future.

Ironically, procrastinators are actually given LESS time than that allotted to non-procrastinators. But we don’t let that bother us. Why? Because we know that our efficiency and productivity kicks in whenever there is a “last minute”. 

We like residing on that tiny ledge that is crumbling into the abyss. It revs us up and sparks our creativity. We’re adrenaline junkies, thrill seekers, addicted to the mania that comes with accomplishing something in record time while wondering if this was the time we waited too long.  

If there’s anyone that knows how to ratchet up the suspense. . .it’s procrastinators.

Yet somehow, miraculously, with hosannas from heaven above, we get it done. Because there was actually plenty of time to accomplish WHAT HAD TO BE DONE. 

We didn’t get distracted by all the possibilities, the paths not taken, the meanderings that might have been fun but ultimately would have paralyzed us because there was too much to choose from. 

Instead, with the clock ticking, we used our laser-beam focus to concentrate on the essentials, those things that could not be ignored, and it was a bright light guiding us to our destination.

So how do we make procrastination work as a writing tool? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Set a deadline. And then ignore it, until—yup, the last minute. This works particularly well with contests, class assignments, chapters that a critique partner is waiting on, or, my personal favorite, blog posts.
2. Do all your Hierarchy of Avoidance chores, to make sure you get them out of the way–and then do whatever you feel like the rest of the day. After all, there’s always tomorrow to do some writing. You need time to ponder all the possible plot threads in your story, and this is the time for it, not later when you’re scribbling to get the word count done.
3. Start something and then set it aside to work on something else. Then put it down and move onto a third project. Leave all of them half-finished until it’s time to get something done, then grab the one that intrigues you and write like the wind.

Now it’s your turn. Share some of your favorite tips and tricks for utilizing The Power of Procrastination. Maybe we’ll even gather them and put them in a book. . . one of these days.

Time got away from me today, so I decided to re-visit one of my favorites, a post I originally did for Romance Writer's Revenge.

Comments

[Maureen O. Betita]

I suddenly realize what I thought was procrastination, which you postulate as a path of hope...isn't what I do. When I put off, it's because I'm convinced it doesn't matter, I'm not going to get to it anyway, it's hopeless.

Well, mostly...

I need to shift my perspective!

Though, in the past, I moved to do things early because I was convinced if I didn't, I wouldn't get it done at all. Again...a focus on a lock of faith in myself...

Interesting! ;-)

[Donna Cummings]

Maureen, I think a lot of procrastination is due to dread -- we can make things seem worse than they really are -- that's the curse of an overactive imagination. LOL

But once it's "the last minute", we have to set our imagination aside and just get the darn job done! And it does require having a lot of faith in ourselves, and the way we do things. So yeah, toss aside that dread. It's not helping anything! LOL

[Melissa]

Love this line: If there’s anyone that knows how to ratchet up the suspense. . .it’s procrastinators.

I've been mulling over (procrastinating?)an overhaul of my first "completed" story and the big goal is to rachet up the suspense. As an expert procrastinator, it's good to know I'm qualified. LOL!

I do relate to the characteristic optimism of a procrastinator that TOMORROW the things that just confuse or frustrate me today will come together. And once in a while, just often enough to keep me renewing my procrastinator club membership, it does come together.

But procrastinators who write have a hard time tallying up and appreciating the number of first looks it took to make sense of one sticky motivation or plot problem. Which is a shame because I think procrastinators are very hard workers but they just don't know it. They take a lot of flack about wasting time when actually they are more like busy worker bees who happen to spend a lot of time in the field collecting what they need to make honey. :) And, according to some honey trivia, a honey bee must visit 1500 flowers to get just one load of pollen. Those lazy bees. LOL

Now, I have no idea how long it actually takes bees to make the honey (probably a long time, which ruins my analogy! lol)

[Donna Cummings]

Melissa, I actually read a lot of romantic suspense, and I learn a lot about tension and suspense, even though I don't write romantic suspense. And yes, procrastinators know a LOT about tension and suspense--so you are qualified. :)

I agree with sometimes you need to let go of things that frustrate you. It's amazing how many times I'm struggling with something and I decide to set aside until the morning. Then the next day it's easier than anything I've ever done! So we can wear ourselves out with the struggling sometimes.

I like being compared to those hard-working honey bees!

[Maureen O. Betita]

Sorry, I really have a different view of this. And it's pretty interesting... I have done the last minute stuff, but I tie myself into a total knot doing it and find I do better with the "I'm never gonna have the time I better start it right away and hurry NOW!" attitude. I always assume things will get in the way if I wait, etc.

Heck, I did book reports all summer in prep for the school year! LOL!

[Donna Cummings]

Maureen, no need to be sorry! We all have different views, and ways of doing things. It's fun to see what everyone else does. :) That's why some of us are pantsers, and some are plotters. LOL

I have tried to do things that far in advance, but then I change my mind, and find something I liked better. LOL So it's best for me to PONDER the possibilities for a long time, and then do the actual work later. :)

[Maureen O. Betita]

Don't get me wrong, I have procrastinated, but it always comes with dread and cold sweat... So, I do the stuff as early as possible... If I have seven days to do something, I'll probably do it on day 5 toward the countdown...and do my damnest to be done by day 3!

I'm not sure if it's a panster/plotter thing. I know with the writing I'm a major pantser... I would guess there are some things, other than writing, that sees me a plotter! ;-)

[Donna Cummings]

I'm a blend of pantser and plotter in real life too. :) Some days it changes depending on my mood, or even my energy level. And the amount of procrastination changes too!

[Linda Poitevin]

Woo hoo! Just what I've been looking for all my life: permission to procrastinate! Love the post, Donna, and LOVE the idea!

[Donna Cummings]

Linda, if you ever need permission for that, I'm your gal! I'm glad you enjoyed the post, and hope to hear that it increases your writing productivity. :)