What kind of procrastinator are you? Do you intentionally wait till the last minute, claiming you work best under pressure? Do you intend to start early, but you keep thinking of other incredibly important things you need to do first? Do you avoid thinking about unpleasant or difficult tasks until you absolutely can’t escape them anymore?
There are many different flavors of procrastination, and if you’re like many writers, you’ve tried all of them over the years. But instead of beating yourself up over your bad habits and lack of willpower, look for ways to use procrastination to your advantage. Here are a few strategies to try.
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Recognize what your go-to procrastination activities are. Do you scroll through your social media feeds or play games on your phone or text your best friend? Give yourself permission to procrastinate for a set period of time – say, 10 minutes – but replace your default habit with something that’s good for your physical or mental health. Go for a walk around the block, drink a glass of water, do yoga poses at your desk. Then go back to work once your time is up.
Structured Procrastination
Take this idea even further by embracing “structured procrastination.” Make a list of things you need or want to do anyway and could provide a break for you when you want to escape another project. For example:
- Tidying up your desk
- Emailing your parents
- Reading a book
- Meal-prepping for the week
When you feel the desire to procrastinate, look at your list instead of reflexively opening Facebook or playing a video game. Do one of the items on your list and feel good about yourself for doing something productive.
Let Your Mind Wander
Adam Grant, host of the podcast Work Life and author of many books on work and psychology, says, “When you procrastinate, you’re more likely to let your mind wander. That gives you a better chance of stumbling onto the unusual and spotting unexpected patterns.”
Reframe your procrastination as “idea generation time” or “creative brainstorming sessions.” Keep a journal or notebook on your desk. When you’re having trouble focusing on the task at hand, open your journal and let your mind wander. Write down any thoughts that come to you, and give yourself space to process questions, problems and ideas that arise.
50% Off Beach ReadsPrint Length: 143 Pages
Genre: Non-Fiction/Self-Help
Publisher: Mari L. McCarthy
ISBN-13: 9780463807361
ASIN: B07R47JT1T
Heal Your Self with Journaling Power is now available to purchase on Amazon.com, Kobo.com, Barnes and Noble and also on Mari’s website CreateWriteNow.com (where you can get a signed copy).
Praise for Heal Your Self with Journaling Power
Mari McCarthy’s latest, Heal Your Self with Journaling Power, represents the voice of a warm friend who not only talks the talk but also has lived first-hand the transforming power of writing. Packed with focused, fun prompts to jump-start the journaling process, this book is a motivation and an uplift! I especially enjoy the stress-bucket exercise. Not to be missed.”
–Melanie Faith, educator and author of In a Flash and Poetry Power,
In a world of ever-present scary news, stress, and technology that distracts us from genuine human encounters, Mari McCarthy invites us to do something both simple and radical: pause daily to encounter our own souls. And she not only tells us to just do it, she shows us how with her own life story, the stories of others, and her many ideas about how to maximize the transformative power of journaling time.
— Kevin Anderson, Ph.D., Author of Now is Where God Lives: A Year of Nested Meditations to Delight the Mind and Awaken the Soul and The Inconceivable Surprise of Living: Sustaining Wisdom for Spiritual Beings Trying to Be Human.
The most important lesson illustrated in Heal Your Self with Journaling Power is that anyone can enhance their health and wellbeing through the therapeutic power of expressive writing. This is the definitive book that shows you how. So just grab a pen and a pad of paper and do it!
—Mike Bundrant, Co-Founder, iNLPCenter.org
Testimony from Casey Demchak, copywriter and consultant; also featured in Chapter 8, “Design Your Future” of Heal Your Self with Journaling Power:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r5adDOqsoCH64xtiotvzkLOOI2O9GBV5/preview” width=”640″ height=”480″>
About the Author, Mari L. McCarthy
Mari L. McCarthy is the Self-Transformation Guide and Founder/Chief Inspiration Officer of CreateWriteNow.com. She is also author of the international-bestselling, award-winning book Journaling Power: How to Create the Happy, Healthy Life You Want to Live.
Mari began journaling to relieve the debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis (MS) over 20 years ago. Through journaling, Mari was able to ditch her prescription drugs and mitigate most of her MS symptoms. Now she teaches people throughout the world how to heal, grow, and transform their lives through the holistic power of therapeutic journaling.
She lives in a gorgeous beachfront home in Boston, where she has the freedom, flexibility, and physical ability to indulge in all her passions, which include singing and recording her own albums.
— Blog Tour Dates
June 17th @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Stop by Women on Writing’s blog The Muffin and read an interview with author Mari McCarthy and win a copy of her book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/
June 18th @ Karen Brown Tyson’s Blog
Visit author Karen Brown Tyson’s blog today where you can read Mari McCarthy’s guest post about why you might still be experiencing writer’s block.
https://karenbrowntyson.com/blog/
June 19th @ Conversations Live with Cyrus Webb (Originally Aired June 12th @ 10:30 AM EST)
Cyrus Webb interviews Mari McCarthy of Create Write Now about her latest bestseller Heal Your Self With Journaling Power.
http://cyruswebb.com/category/conversations-live-radio/
June 20th @ Look to the Western Sky
Visit Margo’s blog today where you can catch her review of Mari McCarthy’s incredible new book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.
June 22nd @ Lapidus
Visit Lapidus, words for well-being association, where you can read Francesca’s review of Mari McCarthy’s eye-opening book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.
June 23rd @ Life Like a Galaxy Girl
Stop by Alanna’s blog today where you can read her review of Mari McCarthy’s new book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.
http://lifelikeagalaxygirl.com/
June 24th @ Thoughts in Progress
Do you love the energy in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)? Well, if you do, you will not want to miss today’s post at the blog Thoughts in Progress where Mari McCarthy shares her tips on how to recreate the magic of NaNoWriMo in any month.
https://masoncanyon.blogspot.com
June 25th @ Bev Baird’s Blog
Make sure you stop by Bev’s blog today where you can read her review of Mari McCarthy’s book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
June 26th @ A Storybook World
Visit Deirdra’s blog today where she highlights Mari McCarthy’s new book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.
http://www.astorybookworld.com/
June 27th @ The Frugalista Mom
Make sure to Rozelyn’s blog and read her review of Mari McCarthy’s book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power. Plus enter to win a copy for yourself!
June 29th @ Coffee with Lacey
Grab your coffee and visit Lacey’s blog today and read her thoughts about Mari McCarthy’s powerful new book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.
June 30th @ Wild Woman Writer
Visit Anne’s blog today where you can catch her review of Mari McCarthy’s inspiring new book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.
https://wildwomanwriter2018.blogspot.com/
July 1st @ Choices
Visit Madeline’s blog today and read Mari McCarthy’s poignant guest post about our conversations with our inner critic and how to silence them.
July 1st @ Writing Through Life
Be sure to stop by Amber’s blog and read her interview with author Mari McCarthy and also enter to win a copy of the book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.
July 2nd @ Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde
If you are in need of a new book in your life, make sure to stop by Lindsey’s blog today where you can read her review of Mari McCarthy’s new book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.
July 2nd @ The Frugalista Mom
Stop by Rozelyn’s blog again today where you can read Mari McCarthy’s guest post about why we procrastinate and how to avoid it.
July 3rd @ The World of My Imagination
Visit Nicole’s blog today and catch her thoughts about Mari McCarthy’s book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.
https://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com/
July 5th @ Bring on Lemons
Make lemons into lemonade today when you visit Crystal’s blog today and read her thoughts about Mari McCarthy’s new book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
July 7th @ One Sister’s Journey Keeping it Real
Visit Lisa’s blog today where you can read Mari’s blog post about disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with yourself.
July 8th @ A Day in the Life of Mom
Want to inspire your kids to journal? Visit Ashley’s blog today and read Mari McCarthy’s guest post featuring imaginative journaling activities to do with kids.
https://adayinthelifeofmom.com/
July 9th @ Bev Baird’s Blog
Visit Bev’s blog again where you can read Mari McCarthy’s guest post about mindful journaling for mindful eating. Don’t miss!
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
July 9th @ Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde
Visit Lindsey’s blog again where you can find out more about Mari McCarthy and her book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.
July 10th @ Lapidus
Join Francesca at Lapidus again where you can read Mari McCarthy’s guest post about why journaling is part of self-care.
July 10th @ Look to the Western Sky
Make sure you visit Margo’s blog again and read Mari McCarthy’s guest post featuring more imaginative journaling activities you can do with your kids.
July 12th @ Author Anthony Avina Blog
Stop by author Anthony Avina’s blog today where you can read his review about Mari McCarthy’s inspirational book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
July 12th @ Bookworm Blog
Visit Anjanette’s blog today where you can read her interview with author Mari McCarthy and also be sure to check out Mari McCarthy’s guest post about journaling power for emotional health.
https://bookworm66.wordpress.com/
July 13th @ A Day in the Life of Mom
Make sure your day today includes visiting Ashley’s blog where you can read her thoughts about Mari McCarthy’s life-changing book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.
https://adayinthelifeofmom.com/
July 14th @ Author Anthony Avina Blog
Do you procrastinate too much? Well, visit Anthony Avina’s blog again today where you can read Mari McCarthy’s guest post on how to use your favorite types of procrastination to your advantage.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
July 15th @ Strength 4 Spouses
Do you like to journal? Stop by Wendi’s blog today where author Mari McCarthy talks about journaling power for mental health. Don’t miss it!
July 16th @ Reading Whale
Visit Caitlin’s blog today and read her interview with Mari McCarthy as they talk about Mari’s book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.
July 17th @ Michelle Cornish Blog
Stop by Michelle’s blog where she reviews Mari McCarthy’s book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power. You can also check out her interview with Mari and find out more about the author!
https://www.michellecornish.com/blog
July 19th @ Strength 4 Spouses
Do you love journaling? Well if so, you will want to visit Wendi’s blog where she shares her thoughts about Mari McCarthy’s powerful book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.
July 19th @ Bookworm Blog
Visit Anjanette’s blog again where you can read her review of Mari McCarthy’s book Heal Your Self with Journaling Power.
https://bookworm66.wordpress.com/
July 21st @ Jill Sheet’s Blog
Visit Jill’s blog today where you can read Mari McCarthy’s blog post about overcoming writer’s block. Don’t miss this if you are struggling with staying inspired!