The Number One Dreamkiller for New and Experienced Freelance Writers

It doesn't matter how dedicated, committed, focused, or strong you may think you are; this bad boy will reach out from under your proverbial writing bed and snatch you when you least expect it.

This debilitating habit can keep you from reaching your goals and fulfilling your potential as a writer. Freelance writer or ghostwriter, it doesn't matter. You see, procrastination is waiting and watching for just the right moment to emerge.

But there are ways to overcome procrastination and achieve your writing goals.

What is Procrastination?

Procrastination is the avoidance of doing a task that needs to be accomplished.

It is often associated with laziness, lack of motivation, and feelings of inadequacy. And if we're being honest here, it could be related to you believing you have more important things to do, like wash the car, watch grass grow, or pick up a quart of milk even though you already have milk.

You're not alone, though, because we all procrastinate from time to time.

It's a natural human tendency to want to avoid complex tasks, or those that we perceive will be time-consuming. Or even those we know we must get done but want to push off until tomorrow.

However, procrastination can have severe consequences for our lives and careers when it becomes a chronic problem.

Consequences of Procrastination

Procrastination can lead to missed opportunities, lost productivity, and financial losses.

It can also adversely affect our health, increasing stress and anxiety. And in some cases, procrastination can even lead to depression. So if you find yourself or notice someone easing into these issues, it's essential to take action and seek the help of a professional.

Luckily, there are several ways to overcome procrastination and get back on track to achieve your writing goals.

How to Overcome Procrastination

There are several effective strategies you can use to overcome chronic procrastination.

So let's dive in and discover a few of the most effective ones.

1. Setting realistic deadlines

As any writer or freelancer knows, setting deadlines is necessary for the creative process.

Without a deadline, it can be all too easy to procrastinate and never quite get around to finishing a project. Yet, at the same time, it's important to set realistic deadlines that you can actually meet. Otherwise, you'll end up feeling stressed and frustrated.

One way to find the right balance is to break up a large project into smaller tasks.

By focusing on one task at a time, you'll make better progress and avoid getting overwhelmed. And if you hit a snag along the way, remember there's always room for revision. The most important thing is to keep moving forward and not give up.

2. Maintaining a positive attitude

Maintaining a positive attitude is essential to success for writers, freelancers, and other creative types.

After all, the work can be unpredictable and often requires long hours with little immediate payoff. It can be easy to get caught up in negative self-talk, listing all of the reasons you'll never make it as a writer or your work is never good enough. However, writers who can maintain a positive attitude are more likely to persevere through setbacks and ultimately achieve their goals.

You can stay motivated even when the going gets tough by believing in yourself and your abilities.

And when you do face rejection or criticism, remind yourself that it's all part of the process. If you can approach your work with a positive attitude, you'll be one step closer to reaching your writing goals.

3. Developing good work habits

For us writing types, developing good work habits is essential.

Set aside enough time each day to work on your project without distractions. Turn off your phone, close social media tabs, and give yourself uninterrupted time to focus on the task at hand. Creating a daily routine can also help by holding yourself accountable to set times each day when you will work on your project.

By developing these good habits, you'll find it easier to stay on track and make progress on your projects.

4. Remembering that perfectionism is the enemy

Many writers strive for perfectionism.

It's naturally just a part of who we are.

We aim to make our work perfect before putting it out into the world. However, this is often the enemy of progress. It can be much better to release something good enough rather than wait for it to be perfect.

Otherwise, you may never release anything at all.

Remind yourself that "done is better than perfect." This doesn't mean that you should settle for mediocrity. Instead, it means you should focus on making progress over striving for perfection. When you're next feeling paralyzed by the quest for perfection, remember this phrase and get back to slinging ink, baby.

The final word

To be successful as a writer, freelancer, or creative professional, it is essential to develop good work habits, maintain a positive attitude, and seek help when needed.

These tips will help you stay on track and make progress on your projects, no matter what challenges come your way.

Remember that perfectionism is the enemy of progress, so don't let it hold you back from achieving your goals. Just remember that Rome wasn't built in a day—give yourself grace when working on challenging projects and focus on taking small steps each day towards completing your goal.

Keep moving forward, and don't give up!

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