Sunday 18 January 2009

Procrastination & Progress




You Are a Bit of a Procrastinator



You tend to get things done in a timely manner, but you can't help but put off tasks you hate.

You have no problem getting the fun or easy stuff done. You generally enjoy taking care of responsibilities.



However, if a task arises that you dislike, it might get shelved for a long time.

And even though it's human nature to procrastinate, your procrastination is hindering your productivity.



Take a look at the things you are putting off doing. Do they really need to be done?

Complete any task that's important. The other stuff you're procrastinating is probably not worth doing.



My new baby has arrived, on friday in fact, and I adore it. Even though I was out for a dinner party to celebrate a friend's 40th on Friday, and a 50th birthday party on Saturday night, I managed to forge ahead with the redrafting. So, after weeks of procrastination, I'm now flying with it. I just hope I'm improving the novel and not flogging it to death.

I've promised myself that when I've finished this edit, I'm going to send the m/s out to agents. (Yeah, yeah I hear you cry. We've heard this old chestnut before). No, really, I am going to, because I now need to get on with the next book. It's in my head most of the time, and I need to tell it before it drives me nuts.

21 comments:

Elle Field said...

I'm sure you are improving it! Glad to hear the procrastination spell broke! :0)

PS: I did the quiz - I'm a Total Procrastinator! :O Oh dear!

Jayne said...

Oooh - that all sounds very exciting!! I'm a bit of a procrastinator apparently....although I have no idea how to post my results! lol

Jenny Beattie said...

Oooh, your baby. I hope your fingers are flying...

I'm a bit of a procrastinator too... hardly a surprise there, is it?

Chris Stovell said...

Well, we will be watching to make sure you DO send your m/s out! :)

Leigh Russell said...

We're going to need a weekly update about how many agents you sent your MS to each week - a bit like weight watchers, but envelopes posted rather than pounds shed, until you find an agent and then it'll be finding a publisher. It's all going to start happening. How exciting! But the biggest buzz comes from the writing. After that it's hard work and endless patience...

Liane Spicer said...

I knew what to expect: "You Are a Total Procrastinator". Surprise surprise...

Glad to hear things are flying along. I procrastinate a lot but when it all starts to flow there's no stopping until it's done.

Good luck with those submissions!

Flowerpot said...

I know the feeling about finishing the old one because there's a new one about to unfold. Go for it Debs!

Lane Mathias said...

I had the same answer as you:-)

Well done for doing so much during a social weekend. Hope this edit is finished asap!

HelenMWalters said...

Well done. Sounds like you're making amazing progress.

DAB said...

Snap! Congrats on your speedy progress m'dear TFx

Swerdnic said...

I'm not even going to do the quiz - I am the procrastination queen!
lol
Lx

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claire p said...

I am definatly a procrastinator. I also have a bad habbit of doing things as they pop into my head regardless if I'm already in the middle of something else!

So glad you're going to start sending out. Took me ages to pluck up the courage. It still may not pay off. But if we don't give it a try then it definatly won't!

Good luck x.

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

elle - I do hope you're right.

I think I cheated because I'm a total procrastinator too, I'm sure.

mummy - lol, glad you enjoyed the quiz.

jj - I'm loving my new toy, and almost got out of bed last night to carry on with the edit!!

chrish - good, I need to be given the odd talking to every so often.

leigh russell - that's a good idea, I should be honest and post about how many I've sent.

wordtryst - thanks, I'm doing okay at the moment.

flowerpot - I'm not allowing myself to work on any other ms until it's done and dusted.

lane - thanks, I'm about 1/3 way through so far.

helen - I am, long may it last :)

tf - thanks, m'dear.

swerdnic - lol, me too really.

naval langer - thanks for the comment, I shall have a look.

claire p - I do that too, then forget what I was doing before.

We have to give it our best shot :)

Troy said...

...and you'll where to send the finished book when you want it reviewed, don't you? Don't delay as I might get a deluge.

Phillipa said...

I'm a total procrastinator and I haven't even done the quiz. Send those mss out Debs. P x

sheepish said...

From someone who has procrastinated to Olympic standard you are a mere novice. And now you have your new toy there will be no need for excuses. So we will all be watching your progress. Now get back to work!!!!

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

troy - of course I'll send it to you, if it ever gets finished.

phillipa - me too. I promise I will do.

sheepish - lol, right then, I'm off to do as I'm told.

Fionnuala said...

I have an A* in procrastination. I'm here reading your blog rather than work on the novel. Rest my case. Sigh. Fx

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Fionnuala - Now I'm reading it and posting! There's no hope for us.

Ladybird World Mother said...

Dammit I am a total procrastinator... bum.
Well done with not procrastinating. Am most impressed.