Time Management Part 1: Procrastination

You might be thinking that I'm getting off topic here. After all, what does time management have to do with writing? Actually, it has a lot to do with it. Just how do you think you're going to write without any time?

We've all decided not to write because we don't have enough time. Most of us have lives. School, chores...life in general...are all major time consumers.

Don't take what I just said as an excuse to ditch your responsibilities to go write. What I'm here to do is help you figure out a way to write and get other things done. First off, let's do some evaluating.

(this whole topic will be split into two posts: Procrastination and Priority War. There are several other time management subjects, but they can pretty much be cut so that they roughly fall into those two categories)

What's your problem? What is taking up so much time that you can't write, and does it have to take that long?

1. When you are given a task, you hear this little voice inside your head saying, "You'll have more time to do this tomorrow. But not right now." "How can you concentrate when you're feeling like this? Go and relax, gal! It'll still be waiting for you later..." So you obey the voices and go do something fun. After all, why do today what you can do tomorrow? The assignments pile up on your desk until you can be found, frantically rushing to reach the bottom of the stack, at the last possible day.

Does that describe you? Then it's simple. You are a procrastinator. No wonder you don't have any time to write!

Now here's how to fix it: you need to get into the right mindset. Do you really like that crushed feeling that you get when all the things you've been putting off come crashing down upon you? Do you really see any benefits from procrastinating?

Next, consider making a schedule or at least have a solid idea of what you will do and when you will do it. Assign chunks of time for each subject, and when you are finished you'll have time to focus on writing. Plus, you'll feel better.

If you're a severe procrastinator, I would suggest making a very tight schedule and sticking to it! Procrastination is a habit, but so is productiveness. When you can ditch the bad habit and replace it with the good one, you perhaps can move on to a less strict schedule. The main thing is forming a habit. Eventually, doing things immediately will become less of a pain and more of a pleasure.

Finally, remember that time is absolutely precious. Twenty years from now, you do not want to be looking back on the stage of life you're in now and thinking, "Man, if I had used that time more wisely things would be so much better!"

Tune in next time (okay, 'click in') to see the second part of Time Management!

Yours without wax,

Izori