Perpetual Putting Off: A Lifelong Trend We Can't Escape?
In the world of writing, deadlines are a constant companion. Meg, the creator of Novelty Revisions – a platform dedicated to helping writers put their ideas into words – has been attempting to write a novel or short story every July since 2009. Yet, she finds that procrastination is not necessarily a bad thing.
Meg believes her career exists due to the "tiny energy bursts" provided by eustress, the "good" kind of stress. Eustress, a positive form of stress that is motivating and enhances performance, can relate to procrastination in writing by providing a manageable level of pressure that energizes focus and productivity.
Procrastination often occurs when stress becomes overwhelming or is viewed negatively. However, moderate eustress – for example, from setting a deadline or timeboxing – can reduce procrastination by sharpening attention and increasing motivation to start and complete writing tasks. Techniques like timeboxing create moderate time constraints that trigger eustress, helping writers to avoid the paralysis often caused by excessive stress or unclear timelines, thus reducing procrastination by providing structure and urgency without overwhelming anxiety.
In contrast, distress or harmful stress – often caused by excessive or persistent pressure – can increase procrastination by making the writing task feel daunting and impairing focus. Therefore, managing stress to maintain it at a eustress level can be key to overcoming procrastination in writing.
Meg has learned from past experiences that a little bit of procrastination every now and then is acceptable. She often finishes her writing projects just before the deadline, demonstrating that eustress can indeed drive productivity. However, she admits that procrastination has gotten her into trouble in the past, but she has learned from these experiences.
Other tasks, like returning edited articles and submitting invoices, cannot wait until the last minute. If nothing is balanced, the author states that nothing will ever get done. Balance is important, according to Meg, between the better side of habits and the worse. She advises that if a task must be done at the last minute, it should be done well.
Meg, a freelance writer and an eight-time NaNoWriMo winner with work published in Teen Ink, Success Story, Lifehack, and USA TODAY College, has procrastinated in her writing for the most part of her career. Yet, she believes that procrastination can sometimes do writers more good than harm. After all, it's the tiny energy bursts of eustress that have kept her writing for over a decade.
Meg can be found tweeting about writing, food, and nerdy things. If you're a writer looking to put your ideas into words, check out Novelty Revisions for helpful tips and inspiring stories.
Meg applies the concept of eustress to her writing lifestyle, understanding that moderate stress can be beneficial in sharpening her focus and increasing productivity. She also indulges in home-and-garden activities, finding these hobbies essential in maintaining a balanced lifestyle, ensuring both her writing tasks and home responsibilities are completed in a timely manner.
