I’ve been a runner for over twenty years, ever since I started medical school and learned that exercise was the “magic pill” that everyone was looking for. Throughout the years, there have been times when I didn’t (or don’t!) really feel like going out for a run.
So I trick myself.
I can tell myself, “just get dressed in your running clothes, then if you don’t feel like it, you don’t have to go.”
Sometimes, even after I’m dressed, I have to keep up the pretense: “Just stretch a little, see how you feel.”
Then, “Just go outside, see how the air feels (or how cold it is, how hot it is).
Then, “Just jog a little, see how you feel.”
Well, by then I’m running and once I start, I don’t stop. Not even that time I ran the Disney World Marathon without training for it. (It hurt. A lot. I wouldn’t recommend it.) Took me six hours, but I finished.
These days, I also trick myself into writing.
With a toddler, a business, and a home to care for, there is never enough time in the day for everything. So sometimes I find myself putting off my writing, which I enjoy so much, in order to check more tasks off my to-do list. When I catch myself doing this, I trick myself. It works to get me running, why not try it for writing?
If I have a writing assignment I need to get going on, I’ll grab a notebook or a piece of paper and say, “I’ll just write for five minutes (or two, or even one), just free associate, see what happens.”
Or I might set my timer and say to myself, “just put something down, it doesn’t have to be good.”
Sometimes I have a first draft of something already finished, but I’m convinced it’s lousy and I’m not going to be able to use any of it. Instead of continuing to avoid it, I tell myself, “just take a look and see if you can find one sentence that you can keep.” I’m usually (not always, but usually) surprised at how much I want to keep. And once I look at it, I usually want to keep working on it. Reworking a first draft feels easier than starting from a blank page.
Lowering my expectations and breaking the writing up into tiny pieces usually gets me past procrastination.
What are your tricks for getting your writing done?
Thanks – I expect to be running and writing more now. Good Blog. I’ll share on http://www.facebook.com/10daybookclub/ which will then be posted via Twitter and the 10dbc FB feed on the homepage.
Hi,
Thanks for your comment and for passing my post along to your friends and colleagues!
Warmly,
Diane
One trick I use is to put my laptop on the kitchen table on busy days. Then if I have even five minutes while the pasta water is coming to a boil, I can take a look at something I am working on, even write a few sentences. It help me feel like I am still involved in my work, and I am more likely to sit down for a longer period when the time becomes available.
Hi headywriting19,
That’s a good idea! I keep my planner out so I can see my to-do list (and add to it!) but I like this. I’m going to start keeping my computer in the kitchen desk area.
Warmly,
Diane
I tend to write in short bursts throughout the day, and tell myself, “Okay, just for fifteen minutes”, or 45, or however much I have free at the time. That way a) I use my free periods efficiently, and b) I don’t feel like I have to write for hours to be a good writer (though that sometimes happens incidentally).
Hi Dante668,
Good for you! You sound very organized as a writer. It’s great that you are keeping your writing a priority. I’m working to keep it higher and higher on my list of priorities.
Warmly,
Diane
I set a calendar reminder on my phone that comes up every day.
It says – “Did you write today?” and my phone dings to get my attention
Hi Juliann,
I like this idea and I love that you ask yourself a question. I’m definitely going to try it!
Warmly,
Diane
Very simple. I just write, generally first thing everyday — before breakfast, before coffee, before getting dressed, out of bed and to the computer before I have time to put up any resistance. For me, writing is not a problem. There are other things in life I find challenging, Running would be one of them.
Hi,
It’s great that you are able to write first thing in the morning–very smart! I’m still at the stage with my son where I sleep until the very last second (he’s usually up before 6!) but that’s temporary and I will try to change my ways as he gets older.
Running was hard when I first started, but after so many years it’s not the challenge that writing is for me.
Warmly,
Diane
One of my most successful “tricks” over the past three months has been to write down all random phrases, word images and partial outlines on a scratch pad, then chat with others about their writing on quite a few writer’s blogs online. By the time I have commented, flash-rethought, and stretched, the final draft of what ever segment of my book length poetry saga I want to complete that day just sort of flies off my fingertips at the keyboard. I would say it is similar to stretching and jogging in place to get ready to run.
Hi Granbee,
That sounds like a good trick. I do try to write ideas and sentences down, but now I’ll try to write a little more of my more random thoughts–they might turn into something interesting! Warming up is always a good idea!
Warmly,
Diane
This a great read! I run also. I don’t have any tricks for getting myself to run, or write. I just make myself do it. It’s not a very productive trick. I am going to try your trick and see if my running and writing improve.
Hi Cindimechealle,
Thanks for your comment. Let me know if any of the tricks work!
Warmly,
Diane
Good tricks here. Thanks!
Hi Anja,
Thanks for your comment and thanks for reading!
Warmly,
Diane
I find I have to get out of the house. I bring my computer and my notebook and just go somewhere else. I feel like I have to write if I’m spending money on a cup of coffee. If I stay home though, I find myself doing the dishes, watching TV, balancing the checkbook, pretty much anything to not write. I’m much more productive when all of those distractions are gone.
Hi D,
Thanks for your comment. I agree, I find it much easier to write when I am out of the house, but these days I’m home a lot, so I needed to find ways to be home and still get work done. I find if my office desk is totally cleared off, it’s easier to get work done there. Thanks for sharing your trick!
Warmly,
Diane
Here’s my trick: Go in the office when nobody is home. Shut off the phone.
I am in the process of moving to a new house and will have an office with a door by month’s end, so I’ll add one new trick: Shutting the damn door!
I mean it. The trick is in getting people to leave me alone when I’m writing! It makes me crazy!
And my kids are BIG, not little. haha
Hi Laura,
Shutting the door is a good one! So simple, yet effective. I have a friend who told me that her kids text her when she’s in her office–from other parts of the house! My guess is big kids can be even more distracting than little kids (and they don’t take naps!)
Warmly,
Diane
I actually don’t have any writing tricks. but i am really inspired to have one thanks to you! I’m a PT student here in the Philippines, and i hardly have time to write, which is really my passion.i really like your idea.thanks
Hi Akimynation,
Thanks for your comment. Good luck with your writing!
Warmly,
Diane