Writers encounter a variety of challenges. For some, difficulties may arise in identifying suitable topics, completing chapters, or managing self-editing and word count requirements. While these are all understandable obstacles, my observation is that the principal challenge for many writers is both straightforward and persistent: meeting deadlines while avoiding procrastination.
Deadline and procrastination may not be a conventional pairing like “pen and pencil;” they do not constitute a standard collocation. Nevertheless, among writers—myself included—they frequently go hand-in-hand. Admittedly, I’ve procrastinated, almost welcomed it, by choosing to do a myriad of other things rather than what I should be working on, or daydreaming a bit too long.
It hasn’t been easy to learn to stop procrastinating, almost welcoming it, by choosing to do a myriad of other things rather than the necessary thing. But I am learning the discipline.
Take it from me, there is a way to defeat this foe of our own making and succeed with timely completed assignments, because like it or not, the deadline remains the same. So let me ask again, “What challenges you as a writer?”
- Is it a willingness to dither on inconsequential projects until the very last moment?
- Do you work feverishly (sometimes foolishly) into the wee hours of the morning?
- Stressing and wondering why you put the project off until the absolute last, once again?
- Does the rush of adrenaline, mixed with panic, give you the false confidence that you perform best under pressure?
I used to believe that the longer I delayed my writing, the more the difficulty would heighten the challenge, making it both exciting and enticing, but this is not true. I’ve done some great work, much of my best work at my leisure.
Nonetheless, there’s something to be said about completing a project just before the deadline with only a few hours to spare; it’s the accomplishment and renewed motivation I feel as a writer, and the happy satisfaction I feel as I’m finally able to hit the ‘send’ key.