9 Tips for Slaying the Procrastination Monster
One day soon, you’re going to be a highly paid writer. You’ll lounge by the pool, computer at hand, knock out a piece, email it off, and rake in a big, fat check.
You know this, because you’ve got an AWAI program telling you exactly how you’re going to get there. It’s sitting on the corner of your desk under some newspaper clippings from last November.
You tell yourself, “Ill get to it soon. Any day now. I just have to …”
I know this personally, because this is where I was four months ago.
The Procrastination Monster is stealing your time and will eventually steal your future if you let it. But the good news is you can defeat this foe by following these 9 easy tips:
USE POSITIVE SELF-TALK
What you say to yourself has everything to do with your success. If you say “I can’t do it” … you won’t.
But telling yourself that you can accomplish your copywriting dreams is an extremely effective way to change your mindset and your actions … if you do it consistently.
Tell yourself that you’re a writer. Tell yourself that you are learning how to succeed … and you will.
The next time you’re tempted to put off submitting a spec because you’re afraid it won’t be chosen, say, “I’ve got nothing to lose … and it’s great practice anyway.”
DON’T EXPECT PERFECTION
Remind yourself that your copy doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be better than the current copy. And using the secrets you’re learning from AWAI gives you that edge.
USE SUCCESSFUL COPYWRITERS AS MODELS
Every successful writer was once where you are. Even Michael Masterson. Remind yourself: “Somebody is going to become a well-paid writer this year. It may as well be me.”
SET UP A WORK SPACE THAT’S JUST FOR YOU
Tell your family that you’re not to be disturbed when you’re in your office … even if your “office” is a table in the corner.
SET A STRICT WORK SCHEDULE … AND STICK TO IT
If possible, build your schedule around the hours when you’re most productive. Usually, this is early in the morning. Don’t do ANYTHING not work-related in this time period … including mopping floors, replacing carburetors, or straightening your desk. To keep yourself on track, use a “To-Do” list.
BREAK YOUR WORK INTO MANAGEABLE CHUNKS
Research shows that procrastinators have trouble facing the entire task. So you’ll have better success by breaking your work into small chunks that can be done in 15-minute increments.
On your To-Do list, don’t write “Do Chapter 7.” Instead, write “Spend 15 minutes on Chapter 7.” Chances are, if you delve into a project for a short period of time, you’ll get into it and keep on going after the 15 minutes have elapsed.
IDENTIFY TIME EATERS
The Internet and phones gobble up precious creative time. Check email only 3 times a day. Do forum chats and surf the Net ONLY after you’ve spent your allotted time on your writing or your program study.
Get a phone with caller ID or a message machine so you can monitor calls. Answer only your business calls during work time.
SET REALISTIC GOALS
Don’t set goals so lofty that only a superstar could achieve them. (“Write 4 controls this year.”) Instead, set a reasonable goal. (“Write 5 promotions this year.”) Break the goal into manageable objectives. After you achieve that goal, set another one.
BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF
You will always find excuses why you can’t write today, why tomorrow will be better. This is a trap. Tomorrow is no different from today. If you’re able to write the day before your deadline, you can write just as well two weeks before. You CAN do it today.
Now … get to work on something. Don’t check your email. Don’t organize your desk. Don’t file those newspaper clippings. Take 15 minutes and write. Right now.
[Ed. Note: Carolyn Warren stopped procrastinating the day she returned from the AWAI Bootcamp and promptly wrote a book. Then, at the end of January, she went to New York and got an agent who is currently shopping the book for her.]
How to Land Clients in 21 Days with Just Your Computer
How do I land my first client? It’s a question every aspiring freelancer asks eventually. Now, there’s a proven system for landing clients that removes the guesswork. Best of all? No cold calling. Learn More »
“I’m in charge of my income now. The only ‘ceilings’ are the ones I place there myself. If I want to make more money, all I have to do is pick up a few more projects. I love that!”
If yes, you could be in big demand, earning big money, writing just a few hours a day from anywhere in the world you choose to be.
Get Nick Usborne’s step-by-step system for creating money-making information websites.
In just 6 hours and 35 minutes, you can be in business earning $60 – $150 an hour writing simple resumes.
Learn the secrets behind succeeding in this in-demand career.
The work is plentiful … the pay scales are generous and the competition is scarce!
Get the answers to the hundreds of questions and concerns commonly asked in specific, step-by-step details.
Use this eight-step plan to make the leap from aspiring copywriter to professional copywriter this year.
Let your fellow AWAI members show you firsthand the easiest, most powerful way to land your first client … BEFORE you finish the program.
Writing for the web is a huge opportunity for copywriters. Let web expert Nick Usborne show you how to write blockbuster web copy in record time … even if you're a complete internet “rookie”!
It’s an opportunity to make $50,000, $75,000, $100,000 a year or more … working just a few hours a day.
A once complicated profession is now something you can do on a standard computer – even if you have little or no “artistic” ability.
It’s one thing to have a website. But if your website can’t be found by the search engines, it may as well not exist.
The Internet creates new income possibilities every day. The biggest among them: online video marketing.
Get the very techniques top-performing copywriters use to rattle off one groundbreaking control after another.
In his new book, Michael Masterson teaches you his very own formula for powerful persuasion and how to apply it to direct mail sales letters as well as online promotions.
Guest, Leave a Reply
Please Note: Your comments will be visible by everyone.