I’ve been meaning to write this post for a while now. Oh the irony! My confidence in my own writing is at an all time low. It’s like anything, when you begin to scrutinise and compare you’re always going to find fault and pick holes. So I’m overthinking everything I write and it’s taking much longer to get simple blog post ready for publishing. I’ve been researching and working on improving my writing but the problem is there are no hard and fast, actionable ways to get better. Let’s compare it to photography for example. I can improve a photo by using natural light or through editing. I can develop my skills through tutorial style learning and (no surprises here) I get that! It takes time to learn but you can see improvements. It’s instant and visual and obvious.
Writing on the other hand is like painting a masterpiece in the dark. I’m just throwing paint at a canvas and waiting for someone to turn on the light to see if it’s any good. But instead of creating a Jackson Pollockesq masterpiece (who else wants to paint in the dark right now?) I’m throwing words onto a page and waiting for that light to switch on it my brain. I know good writing when I read it but I don’t know how to emulate it without going as far as directly copying the actual words. And if I were to do that, this blog would become much more political all of a sudden (and I’d probably clog up my mailbox with a lot of scary looking cease and desist letters pretty sharpish!), so that’s not an option. And anyway, writing is such a creative art form I want to be able to do it, and do it well.
Expressing myself with words has never been my strong point (neither has interpretive dance in case anyone was worrying that this blog was about to take an abrupt change of direction) but I have a lot to say. It’s mostly to myself inside my own head, then when it comes to getting the ideas out and into the world somehow, I get stuck. It doesn’t come naturally to me. I worry about boring people. I worry that I’ll say something that makes me look stupid and I worry that I’ll get lost and won’t know what to say at all. So I don’t say anything, which really just makes it harder to start.
One of the biggest and most advised actions you can take to improve writing is to do it more often. So here I am. Writing. When people ask me about starting a blog/business/project my most valuable piece of advice is to just start. It won’t be perfect straight away. You won’t get it right and you’ll have to learn a lot but you’re never going to get better just thinking about it. I thought it was about time I took my own advice and started writing. But like I said, it’s taken me some time to get to here. Yes, I have been procrastinating my friends. But no more! It’s time to face the music and get on with things. Here are 5 ways I deal with getting past procrastination and making a start.
Plan, plan and plan some more STOP PLANNING and get on with it.
I’m a girl that loves a good to do list. Having a solid plan can help you save time and help you to go into a project with confidence, but there’s a fine line between being prepared and procrastinating. Having a diary full of pretty coloured, co-ordinated post it notes is great to look at but how long did it take you to put together? If you’re spending too much time on organisation you are probably putting off the job for some reason. Now is the time to look at your lovely plan, find the first thing you need to do and do it!
Do what you can with what you have.
It’s so easy to start making excuses. I do it daily. If only I had a big fancy studio I could do this better or I need that material/tool to move on with this project. In reality there are people doing a lot more with a lot less. JK Rowling didn’t write Harry Potter (sorry, I couldn’t resist even though it’s a ridiculously overused rags to riches story) on an expensive Macbook. Well, not the first one anyway. You can do great things with very little, you just have to be creative about it. And that’s what will get you noticed.
Get away from distraction.
Bun Jovi has this look. She hops up onto the sofa, cocks her head to one side and stares at me. This means give me attention or I’m about to fuck shit up! (sorry about the swearing but their her words, not mine) So I have a dilemma, cease all work, continue one handed (like a pat you head and rub your belly juggling act) or ignore the little fur ball and wait for the havoc she’s about to wreak. None of these options lend themselves to good productivity. So, as much as I hate doing so sometimes I need to shut her away somewhere. If you have children I’m not suggesting locking them up in a room to get some work done but shipping them off to a favourite aunt or uncle for a day can help give you some time to get started.
(By the way Bun Jovi is my rabbit. I haven’t kidnapped the popular 80’s rock star, chained him up in my spare room, changed his name to something more cutsy and only refer to him in the female pronoun… Just incase anyone was wondering)
Small Steps
Your getting started on your new venture. It’s exciting and you have a hundred ideas flashing up in your brain. Then you sit down to do make a start and the enormity of the work involved hits you like a thousand tiny little punches. One for everything you need to do to get started. Ouch. All of a sudden you lose confidence and start making those excuses we were talking about. It doesn’t matter where you start. There’s no beginning or end. Jot down a quick list with some of the things you need to do and pick one. Easy!
Start right now.
You’re starting that diet on Monday right? How’s that working out for you? Stop putting things off and do them now. That way you’re at least a few days ahead of where you would be. (And you know those days turn in to weeks/months/years!) When you finish reading this post write down 5 things you need to do to make your dreams a reality. Simple things like take a great photo for Instagram or research postage prices. When you get home from school/work/shopping or whatever and sit down on your sofa do one thing from the list. Then do another. And that’s it, you’re doing it. You’ve made a start!
So why are you still here? Get making that list!
Hi Fran,
Just wanted to sent you a ‘pat in the back/entusiastic well done’ comment! :)
I think it is amazing that you just posted this, and that you went through with it and started :)! It seems to be the hardest thing, when in reality it’s so simple!
Starting something is so daunting when you have high expectations on a possible outcome, or when you fear one of your weaknesses (like lack of talent in my case :)) will be known to everyone, and you will be exposed in the worst possible way… but, even though I am experiencing the procrastination stage still (won’t bother you with the details really), putting myself more out there on Instagram, and showing what I have been doing lately is slowly opening my eyes to a different perspective! It seems that the pictures I put on my Instagram that I like the least are the ones that other people like the most… Say what?! (that’s what pops in my head basically!) So basically, my new perspective is ‘just have fun with it, stop comparing yourself to others, and just enjoy the process! What’s the worst that can happen anyway?’!
So, to sum up (sorry about that!), huge well done you :) and hopefully soon I will pick up my blog (if you can call it that at this point!), and so something with it without worrying about if people will like it, or judge me, or criticise me, or even read it for that matter! You are an inspiration, to me and I’m sure to more people, so just keep on writing! Please :)
Sorry if this comment went a bit longer (or even derailed a bit… need to work on my writing as well), but even though you don’t know me, I’m proud of you and that you started :)
xoxo
Vera
Hey Vera,
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you connected with the post!
Starting a blog is scary business. The funny thing is I used to be terrified each time I had a comment notification because I thought it was going to be someone calling me out – telling me that I’m not qualified to write about something or that I’ve done it wrong. It’s only since receiving negative feedback (only a few comments – you are all too lovely) that I’ve stopped worrying about it. It’s not as bad as I thought it would be and actually most of the time it’s quite funny. Sometimes the fear of something is actually much worse than the reality.
Also I don’t really believe in talent. You might not get everything right at first, but no one will dismiss you for trying! And the more you do something the better you will get. What I’m trying to say is it’s difficult to put yourself out there when you’re not super confident, but the only way to get confident is to do it!
I am so honoured that you find this little space here an inspiration. That makes me want to write and write and write! Even writing this response I’ve had so many ideas for blog topics so thank you so much for the inspiration too!
Fran xx
I’ve been in a constant state of procrastination (avoiding writing, art and craft for game shows, of all things!) and when I think about why I am behaving like this, I’ve come to the conclusion that maybe I’m a bit of a perfectionist. I am afraid to start things because I don’t want to fail or be crap at something which is so silly! When I get like this, I just have to remind myself that doing anything, even if it’s awful, is better than not doing anything at all.
We are most critical of ourselves, and I think we need to give ourselves a break to grow and encourage each other to keep up the good work. I personally really enjoy the way you write and I love what you are doing with Fall For DIY :)
Hi Shu shu, just to let you know that you are not alone… I still do my crafts and make things but the perfectionist in me keeps me frustrated when they don’t come out as nice as I would hope… I’m trying to remind myself to have fun with it, but it’s really hard tbh! But we must continue and little by little it will get better! :)
Hey Shu Shu!
Thank you so much! I can definitely relate to avoiding the first step of a new project. I find that sometimes it’s because I actually haven’t thought about where I’m going to start. Say I’m making a tote bag, I hesitate because I’m thinking about the project as a whole instead of the steps. Once I sit down and work through step one, cut the fabric. What size? What fabric? Step two, pin together etc.. It feels like I’ve broken it down into manageable chunks and I can perfect each step.
At the end of the day, however much I plan I always get something wrong or forget a step. It’s only through doing it that I can learn that! When I post about those things or put a failed project on Instagram people really resonate with it. Whereas we feel like failures other people see us learning. We definitely need to be less hard on ourselves and learn to enjoy the process more!
xx
This might be one of my favorite posts you have ever written. I so agree with everything you said. Sometimes its so easy to make excuses for this and decide to not do that but in then end you just needed to start it and it would be fine.
http://bysophielee.blogspot.com
Thanks Sophie! I definitely make excuses all the time. I want to start going for a short run every day to clear my head and get some exercise, but most mornings I find an excuse. I’m just too busy to go for a 10 minute run… which is of course not true. If I just went I would probably make that 10 minutes up by being more productive! No excuses from tomorrow ;)
Fran! This is great! I, too, struggle with writing and I loved reading about you being so open with your desire to improve those skills.
I admire your hard work and how you are always churning out new ideas on this blog as well as so many other blogs. It’s inspiring! I also chuckled a few times reading this. You have a way of expressing yourself through writing already and I’m excited to see how you grow in that area!
-Courtney
What a great post. I really appreciated your honesty. I’ve been reading your blog for some time now and I’ve always thought how engaging, amusing and accessible your writing is!
ISOSCELLA | isoscella.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you! That means a lot to me. I guess sometimes we can be our own worst critic. But it’s always worth trying to improve. Thanks for reading :) xx
Love this post. Procrastination is something so many people struggle with including myself. I am definitely one of those who loves planning and puts off actually starting. I’m going to use this as the kick in the arse I need!
Also, I hear you on the writing – it’s not my strong suit either. But I see it as a skill that can be developed. Write everyday and edit edit edit. Eventually something good has got to come out right? I enjoyed your writing on this post anyway :)
Procrastinations unite…tomorrow :)
Diane x
Hey Diane!
Thank you so much! You’re so right about editing. I always write last minute and I think that doesn’t give me the opportunity to go back through with fresh eyes and improve a first draft. I am trying to write one day before posting so I have the chance to get away from the words, then come back and edit from a new perspective.
So happy you liked the post xx
This post, and all of what makes you put off writing, is exactly why I stopped my blog. I’m so bad about procrastinating with everything! I want to make a nice website to sell my handmade items that I have to get tags for and get everything compliant and find a way to advertise, but wait, oh yeah, I have to make them first! See what I mean? I have a question for you, have you tried having someone proofread your posts and grammar/punctuation/flow check your writing? That might help you have more confidence? I hope you keep writing and inspiring people like me to stop making excuses and just get to work.
Thank you so much for sharing this! I can totally relate. When I start a project (or blog post), I often want it to be completely perfect before I sent it out into the world, so I become too paralyzed by that to even start working on it. This is a great reminder to just *do it*. It won’t be perfect at first, but the only way to improve is to practice and to be okay with mistakes. It’s hard sometimes for us perfectionists (especially as we compare our work to other people who are farther along with their project/creativity/writing/etc), but it’s a necessary step in growth of any kind.
xx Hannah // TheCheapishly.com
OMG! This post make my day I have been procrastinating for a while until I finally decided to do what I love and writing these article help me a lot on thinking what I am doing. Love it very much.
Thanks for these article I am doing what I love most.
Wow! Thank you… This is just what I needed to hear today! I am a planner to, I love to plan. I write list, then rewrite list, and plan, plan plan. Your right if you put the effort you spend planning into your project and just do it then your getting somewhere. Your actually doing the thing you want to do. Thanks again for the post… totally made my day
Courtney-Lynn
Hi Fran,
This resonates so well with me. I have always been critical of my writing. My first draft is always scary. I am a rookie when it comes down to photography and I am always beating myself up for the not so nice pics that I end up with. It can really overwhelm you at times and make you feel a complete douchebag. But as you said you will have to start no matter how much you plan something will be missing, that project will turn it to take long hours before it finds its way out in the net. Our own quest of perfection derails us. But we will have to work for it and thinking will not take us anywhere.
When you have done your best just go for it, don’t think just do it !!
Thanks for writing this:)
Marwa
Fran, I love that your post on struggling with writing has some of the most beautiful writing I’ve seen on a blog in a while! Your metaphor about throwing paint at a canvas in the dark is just perfect! I struggle with my writing so much also, though I think part of being a creative is never feeling like you’ve honed your craft well enough. It’s what keeps us going I guess! But with writing specifically, I know 100% that my writing, vocabulary, and even speech have declined so so much since I graduated college. Half of the time I feel like I listen to myself talk and I sound like I don’t have a single coherent thought in my head. I’m sure lack of practice is to blame. Guess it’s time to set myself a couple term papers to write! :)
A practical tip: besides writing lots, reading lots is the next-best thing to improve one’s writing! Loved this post, and congrats on ripping the band-aid and getting started with your beast of a task!
Just stumbled across your blog today and am devouring it! Decided to comment on this rather than all the other ah-mazing DIY and home posts (love by the way!) because its just damn.good. Hearing that EVERYONE struggles with something and sometimes with EVERYTHING at some point in their day, week, life etc is insanely helpful. Hearing about the day to day insecurities of people, especially people that seem to be effortlessly creating beautiful things, can go such a long way in helping us all through our own daily insecuritites. So thank you for writing this and keep doin’ you, its clearly working :)
I definitely needed to read this post! I currently have so much to do and so little time. And instead of getting on with it, i’m just doing nothing! x
Abi | abistreetx