By Piers Golden
When I first decided to become a journalist, I believed starting a blog would perfect my writing skills and create a range of articles to be collected as a portfolio and used to apply for future journalist positions. This was a great plan! I purchased a clever domain name and designed a great looking website. All set to go! One problem, content; my blog needed content.
Though the first article was easy to complete, I found it difficult to continue. Days went by without posting anything and soon I found that my posts were so sparse, I was losing readers. I didn’t quite understand why I was having trouble blogging. I love writing, but every time I sat down at the computer, the cursor would blink back at me and I would think of something else to do.
I felt guilty about not dedicating time to my blog, I decided to stop the procrastinating and somehow fit writing into my already busy schedule. By subscribing to СreateWriteNow, I was able to utilize tips from a blogging community and push my blog into motion. Below is the best advice I learned about procrastination:
Start Small
One of the main reasons I failed from the beginning is because I gave myself an overwhelming goal of posting daily. When one day was missed, I felt defeated. This defeat led to giving up altogether. By setting a new goal of posting once a week, I was able to meet it successfully. With time, I started posting more because it was naturally part of my schedule and I didn’t have to think twice about doing it.
Leave Perfection Behind
When it came to writing, I often quit after the first paragraph because I doubted the quality of my work. I would edit and re-edit the first sentence, easily giving up when I realized it would never be perfect. Perfection was a contributor to procrastination. Once I accepted this, I forced myself to finish first drafts before editing. When I did reach the editing stage, I did the best I could and submitted the post regardless. I will never be a perfect writer, but overtime, I have seen incredible improvement. Practice makes close to perfect.
Know the Why
Any how can be tolerated if the why is clear. That moment before working on a task, ask yourself, “why am I doing this?” Personal meaning can inspire one to set forth on even the most excruciating tasks. I forgot about my why. Blogging became a grueling task when I lost sight of my dream of becoming a journalist. Before writing, I had to remind myself why I was taking time to create blog posts. With journalism on my mind, my fingers magically started typing. Control your thoughts with positive inner dialogue and let the magic happen.
Now, I ask you, what do you need to start on? What is that task you have been putting off that could potentially change your life for the better? My advice, don’t run away toward other excuses. Start now. You will thank yourself later.
Bio:
Piers Golden is a freelance blogger who has been writing professionally since 2013.
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