Do you find yourself procrastinating when it comes to writing? If so, you are not alone. Many people struggle with getting started, especially if they don’t have a lot of time.
I’m the biggest culprit.
I’m going to share three of my top tips for overcoming this.
1. Make a schedule and stick to it
I’ve started blocking out 8-9am and 7-8pm in my calendar for writing every day. This has helped me to be more consistent and productive.
If you can, try to find a time that works for you and stick to it. Set a daily or weekly goal for yourself and make sure to write during that time every day or week.
The key is to be consistent and make writing a habit.
Make sure it’s in the diary/calendar so you are less likely to make excuses not to do it.
Set an alarm if necessary.
Find a time that works for you, whether it’s first thing in the morning or just before bed.
2. Set small goals and celebrate your successes
When it comes to writing, I find it helpful to set small goals for myself.
For example, my goal might be to write 500 words a day. Once I reach that goal, I celebrate by taking a break or rewarding myself in some other way.
This helps me to stay motivated and on track. It also makes the process less daunting because I’m not thinking about writing a novel in one sitting.
Start small and gradually increase your goal as you get more comfortable with writing.
And don’t forget to celebrate your successes along the way!
Find what works for you, whether it’s setting a word count goal or working for a certain amount of time.
It’s important to find a system that works for you and stick with it.
And remember, every little bit counts!
Even if you only write for five minutes, that’s still five more minutes than you would have written if you hadn’t started at all.
So don’t be discouraged if you don’t reach your goal right away. Just keep at it and eventually, you’ll get there.
3. Use prompts to get started
If you’re having trouble getting started, try using prompts.
There are lots of different kinds of prompts out there, but my personal favorite is to start with a question.
I find that asking myself a question helps to get the wheels turning and gets me thinking about what I want to say.
For example, I will ask myself what did I learn this month that I didn’t know last month?
Or what are three things I’m grateful for?
You can also try using prompts that are specific to your niche or topic.
For example, if you’re a travel blogger, you could start with a prompt like, “What was my most memorable travel experience?”
If you’re a food blogger, you could start with a prompt like, “What are three of my favorite recipes?”
There are endless possibilities when it comes to using prompts. The key is to find something that works for you and helps you get started.
These are just a few of my tips for overcoming writing procrastination. I hope they help you as much as they’ve helped me!
Do you have any tips to share? If so, please leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you!
Happy writing!