Procrastination

I’ve often heard it said that procrastination is the thief of time, a relentless criminal that takes our best intentions and leaves an excuse in their place.

I know that I’m just as guilty as anyone else when it comes to procrastinating, even more so with regard to my writing. I realise that the excuses have often been varied, “I need more time”, “I have too much on”, I’ll get started on that tomorrow” etc...

A work colleague stated recently that he would love nothing more than to write a book. When I asked him what was stopping him he replied, “I am! Unfortunately, my current commitments don’t allow me the time to pursue such a dream. When I do find the time, I always discover something else that needs my urgent attention.”

Hmmm, been there, done that, and bought the T-shirt. I admit that I have given in to procrastination recently. My reasons for doing so have been varied, recent health scares, family commitments, work demands, and the like, which have distracted me from my writing. If I’m honest though, it isn’t the writing that’s the problem at the moment, goodness me no, what I tend to procrastinate with more than anything is Marketing and Promoting.

I often worry that my work isn’t good enough, or that my video trailers aren’t up to standard, and it’s factors such as these that are stopping me by planting seeds of doubt that are developing into weeds. The self-same weeds that are taking over and choking my garden of creativity.

I am working towards getting my garden back in order, of course I am, but thanks to the constraints that I have mentioned, it’s going to take time. I will get there, even if it means taking baby steps to do so.

Shaun McBride

Author of the Chronicles of Dreyfus