The Procrastination Index lists th various ways procrastination can undermine an author’s ability to plan, write, promote, and profit from a book. Do any of the following sound familiar?
- Title Paralysis occurs when an author’s inability to immediately come up with the “perfect book title” prevents progress on the many other aspects of planning, writing, promoting, and profiting from their book.
- Social Marketing Myopia. There’s a time and a place for Web 2.0 community building, but time spent reading, responding, and posting can easily interfere with a book’s progress.
- E-mail Madness. After receiving the promised sign-up incentive, it’s easy to spend too much time each each day reading e-mail that turns out to be content lite and promotion heavy at the expense of projects that can enhance your credibility and visibility.
- Perfectionism. All writers are concerned with clear, concise, well-”voiced” writing. Yet, many fail because they get bogged down in the details–what they can’t get “right”–instead of moving forward on what they can accomplish.
- The Tyranny of Time. Trying to write when you “find the time” doesn’t work. Time won’t show up on its own. Success requires committing time each day to your book, and assembling your daily activities around your commitment.
- Technology Mastery Mambo. Computers, software, and the Internet offer unlimited opportunities to master new “time saving” skills. However, it’s easy to become seduced by “how much time you can save” that you’re constantly learning rather than doing.
Have I overlooked any other Procrastination Index candidates?
Are there other Procrastination Index time-wasters I should have included? More important, what’s your experience with the Procrastination Index. Share your ideas and writing productivity tips as comments, below.
June 2, 2009
Housework? Or failing that, drinking?
June 2, 2009
At last; a reality check!
Thanks, Tara, for responding. And spreading grins.
Roger
June 3, 2009
thanxs for this post. It really helped me!
June 3, 2009
Dear Alejandro:
Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate the feedback.
Which of the topics listed are you going to address first?
Roger
June 15, 2009
Hello Roger,
number 5, absolutely!
I think that time is important when writing a book. As a journalist, who is writing a book about history, I’ll bear in mind that I have to devote four-five hours a day to my book.
If i skip this step and start not devoting time to my book, then it’s not going to work.
Thanks!
June 26, 2009
taht are good tipps..My dream is tzo write a book but i have not very time for that…i have to find time and to concentrate on my book…however thanks for sharing
July 16, 2009
Thank you for advice, it is really good tips and I hope it will help me for my future.
Thank you again. It beguins to be seldom to find interesting content in internet.
July 31, 2009
To me number 4 and 5 sound really familiar. “Time won’t show up on its own”.ah ah, that made me laugh : ))
As for everything the secret is planning the work, making schedule..then if don´t come up with that panic will come, which is another good tool to let you respect your plans..
Other time-wasters? Get familiar with online catalogues and ressources /The trips to libraries to take books /your pet..
August 31, 2009
Really good.
I would say the number 5 for sure too for the same resaon than Alejandro !!!
September 1, 2009
As for me, i think that point 4 is perfect. i’m a perfetionist and, as consequence, i spend too much time to make things as perfect as possible…
September 8, 2009
I’m definitely guilty of No. 1 and 6! Maybe a too perfectionist approach
September 8, 2009
There’s a lot of perfectionism going around… g)
It’s a virtue, until it causes paralysis or missed deadlines.
Key is to get that first draft written as quickly as possible!
Roger
November 6, 2009
Number 4 and 5 sound familiar to me… I really get stuck when I don’t find the perfect dialogue or the suitable descriptions… and 5, hehe, I have to admit, guilty! I should set up a schedule of writing and create a habit … but somehow, I just can’t!
November 6, 2009
Dear Raphael:
Thanks for writing.
Progress begins with self-knowledge, and it seems that you have a pretty good handle on things.
It’s always a shame when a sticking point gets in the way of a satisfying writing experience. But, things will happen when it’s their time. Best wishes.
Roger
January 12, 2010
It’s a virtue, until it causes paralysis or missed deadlines. Key is to get that first draft written as quickly as possible!
January 25, 2010
Definitely #4 here. Time obviously plays a role as well, but that’s not a specific writer’s problem.
March 26, 2010
Writing a book is a really hard process. And like you said, Roger, perfectionism is your hardest enemy. When you first finished your book you will find mistakes, you will find whole pages that should be replaced.
May 29, 2010
Thank You. Great