THE ART OF PERSEVERANCE (FOR WRITERS)
By Nicky Hackett
If procrastination is the art of delay, perseverance is the art of the breakthrough. We sometimes ping pong between procrastination and perseverance. Many of us would like to persevere more and procrastinate less. The question is: How?
How do we get stuck?
New tasks are daunting. We look at a blank page and see a vast ocean. The end is like a far off land—out of reach. Can we break it down?
We have competing priorities. Is it even possible to carve out time right now?
We love the thrill of hyper-focus and winning at the last possible moment. Is it worth the stress and anxiety that comes with it?
We compare our first draft to best selling masterpieces, our backstage to their highlight reel, and we feel defeated before we start. Can we give ourselves grace to grow?
We think self-discipline is a personality trait, not a maturity built through skills over time. Which habits and structures work for you? What do we have that we can build on?
Our hearts are gripped by fear of failure and insecurity. Is there a bigger issue that needs attention before we can move forward?
How do we persevere?
It depends,
If you can’t find time, analyze if the problem is really procrastination. Maybe you are distracted by the Tyranny of the Urgent or other unimportant activities, or maybe your life is so packed that what looks like procrastination is really exhaustion. Recently my friend was struggling to find time for a new business venture, but his regular work had picked up, and he was working long hours to keep both going. Since the extra work was not likely to last long and he needed the money, he delayed the new venture 3 months. That was a reasonable decision, not procrastination.
My favorite first move to get unstuck is to reach out. My mind is unfriendly when I’m stuck. Either it’s telling me lies or making excuses or just doesn't know what to do. Sometimes I reach out through prayer and Scripture and inspirational articles. Sometimes I need to talk it through with someone I trust and plan some follow up. And when the problem was constant and crippling, I needed a therapist. You may also consider joining a writers’ group or starting one yourself!
Do you Keep Going until your first draft is finished, or do you stop to tinker with what’s already done but not perfect? This can be such a trap for me. Sometimes the tinkering happens in our minds, and not a single word makes it to the page. The podcast How to Write Faster with Tricia Goyer is a game changer if you have this problem.
We need to know the type of structure, habits, AND REWARDS that work for us. I love roadmaps and milestones and touch-base meetings, but my son feels imprisoned by too much structure. He starts with something small, like an outline or paragraph about the project, then he keeps fleshing it out until he’s done. My niece always does the part she dreads most first, because she says that makes everything else seem easy. What’s your go to? There are so many articles and assessments to help us figure this out. And please, please give thanks for your daily victories, even when they are small. Lord knows, we have an enemy who will magnify every obstacle!
Think about how you think about challenges, work, and yourself. Does failure mean you are bad, or is failure part of succeeding? Micheal Jordan’s commercial about his failures still inspires me! Have you learned to dwell on the positive? I once had to examine my self-talk, so I typed out my thoughts about myself for a couple of minutes. I was shocked by how abusive I was towards myself and how special I thought I was, even though I thought I was especially bad! Thinking more humbly and realistically about my shortcomings changed my life. Therapy and support groups can be helpful for deep and pervasive negative patterns.
Some helpful posts:
End Writing Procrastination - 7 Steps (the comments are helpful too)
Four Steps to Overcome Writing Procrastination
How to Get That Writing Job Done (just for fun, but love the timer idea)
Procrastination – The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Why You Need to Join a Writing Group (And How to Find One)
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It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something. —Franklin Roosevelt
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. —Ephesians 5:15-17, NLT
