The “P” Word
Posted by Vicki Lewis Thompson in Uncategorized, tags: Vicki Lewis ThompsonNo, not that P word! The other one –procrastination. I realize this is the Blaze blog, but sorry, not going to discuss the details of a man’s package
today. Maybe next month!
Today I want to talk about an affliction I’ll bet ninety-nine percent of us suffer from. As for you amazing folks who neverprocrastinate, feel free to talk among yourselves. The rest of you, gather ‘round.
I contend there are two kinds of procrastination. The first one is easy to understand. We put off doing something because it’s unpleasant, maybe even gross. Examples are cleaning up dog poop in the back yard or confronting your neighbor about his dog’s poop in your front yard. The job’s physically or emotionally icky and you don’t want to do it. End of story.
But what about dragging our heels on a project we actually enjoy? Most writers I know are guilty of this. You might not be a writer, but you might be a
scrapbooker, or a photographer, or a knitter. Think about whatever creative pastime you love, but continue to push aside. Makes no sense, right? Oh, yes, it does!
Thanks to a wonderful little book called THE WAR OF ART by Steven Pressfield, I get it. Turns out that making decisions causes stress. Creative projects are all
about making decisions. Writers make decisions every second they work, from choosing character traits and plot points to the very words themselves.
Decisions are part of every creative pursuit, whether we’re picking out the decorations and pictures for a scrapbook or the color of yarn for a sweater. Deep down, we know we’re in for the stress of decision-making so we resist working on the project.
I don’t know if that helps you, but I was so relieved to discover that procrastination is not a character flaw. It’s natural resistance to the stress of making decisions. That doesn’t mean we can let procrastination win, or we’ll never have that soul-deep satisfaction of creating something that didn’t exist before. But at least now I know what I’m up against!
How about you? What creative project are you putting off?
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I haven’t been putting off finishing some cleaning projects, but it hasn’t been my fault, my husband hasn’t gotten me that chest of drawers that he promised he would.
Hi Vicki! I am so with you on this. I have a bunch of projects I really want to do, but I keep putting them off. First there’s writing my synopsis and sending my book off. Then there’s a t-shirt quilt I want to make for my hubby. There’s the flower bed I keep saying I’m gonna put in the front yard. And a bunch more. I am glad to see I’m not alone in this boat.
Have a wonderful weekend!
I don’t usually have much of a problem making a decsion unless it involves a lot of money! Like putting the new tires on my car!! Lordy! Now after putting all that money into the car, tires plus some service that needed doing, can I still afford gas?
The tires had to be done before I head to Oregon next month to see the grandaughter perform in a play. Next school year she will be in high school so I don’t know if I will get another chance.
How about the decision of, which of the many books you want, are you going to buy? Now that is a toughie, always because I want them all!!
I never thought of making decisions as stress inducing but now that you pointed it out… I think it is more of a problem for some than others.
I’m going to stop rambling now. Interesting topic.
Everyone have a great day.