Why Do We Procrastinate?

I had that moment of “gasp” last night because I’ll just be honest with you…I forgot to post my weekly Almanac! I then realized why I did such a thing…and it actually doesn’t have anything to do with the topic of today’s Substack. It actually had everything to do with basic mental and emotional health…but for good reason! I just needed a day off, and a day to let my brain relax a little.

A couple months ago I had an anxiety attack that really woke me up. It was a rather traumatic experience, but looking back on it..I needed it. I needed to wake up and consider just what I’m placing into my subconscious (and have been for years). It was like the universe was tapping me on my shoulder with a little *ahem* and *hello?*. Since then I’ve focused myself on being more intentional with my thoughts, and through this intentional approach I’ve made very big life decisions that have helped me move forward in a positive, productive, and healthier way. I’ve since quit coffee and switched to a homemade morning tea of lemon, ginger, and turmeric (and I love it). I’ve cut out red meat not because I don’t love it (I mean, cheeseburgers…my god cheeseburgers), but because it never really settled well with my physical system. (I’m suddenly realizing that bacon is technically pork and not technically red meat…I’ve given up bacon, however I’m having a lightbulb moment here…I might just gift myself some of that breakfast candy again!) I’ve reduced my alcohol intake tenfold, which has made an incredible difference in my daily life. I have never been a “big” drinker, but as the years have gone by it just hasn’t serve me like I thought it did.

I’ve started and have continued to do yoga nearly every morning, AND I have completely cut out any kind of pop and soda. So long Coca-Cola. I’ve loved you since the day I first laid eyes on you, and whew-boy will I miss you…but you’re out, darling. Thank you for tasting so good. This coincides with being much more intentional with the food I eat; fast food be-gone, as much as I love a Culver’s butterburger (and yes, it’s actually called that, and god bless Wisconsin for creating it…but for those of you who are not in the American Midwest, I do have to say…you’ve missed out on one of life’s greatest guilty pleasures).

This post is not to simply ramble off my new dietary choices, but to focus more so on how simply changing my mind has drastically changed my life. I know that sounds simple, but folks…it actually is. Now…I am far from the point of mastering my subconscious mind or living a perfectly healthy lifestyle, but the differences have been so noticeable that I wanted to share a rundown with you all with the hope that you might be able to take a bit from my example.

The main thing I’ve noticed, beyond just plainly feeling better physically, is that by changing my thought patterns and correcting negative thoughts that seem to steamroll their way into my consciousness on a regular basis, is that procrastination has almost entirely dissolved. I mean that quite literally. It hasn’t disappeared necessarily…I see dishes placed along my sink that I should probably clean, but I digress. By focusing on what I’m passionate about, what matters to me, and what drives a creative force within me, my procrastination has been reduced to nearly zero. This is all because I’ve forced myself to become highly aware of the thoughts that I’m having and how those thoughts make me feel. If I don’t like how the thought makes me feel, I focus a few seconds on cancelling the thought, sending it on its merry little way, and replace it with a different thought. I don’t judge the thought or myself for having the thought. I just simply pat it on its back and let it go.

We are ALL capable of doing this, and because this Substack is focused on creating a career through writing, I am going to focus this subject of thought-pattern shifts on that lovely topic I know you all deal with - procrastination.

So let’s sit back and look at the elements of procrastination, expose it for what it is, acknowledge it, and then consider ways to move past it. I want you all to be real and truthful with yourselves. We have time in the day to focus on our writing. I don’t care who you are, what you do for a living, how many children you have, or how long your commute may be, or any other responsibilities you may have during any given day. You have time to focus on your writing. So why aren’t we utilizing it?

Let’s dive in.

Why Do Writers Procrastinate?
 

1. Fear of Failure

This is a BIG one, and could possibly override all of the others…or at least be the godfather of all of the other answers. From being afraid of your lack of talent, or how difficult it can be to break in, fear permeates every crevice of our writing intentions. I mean…seriously, writing a screenplay or novel can feel like putting your soul on the page; completely exposing yourself for others’ judgement. The fear that your story won’t measure up to expectations—whether it’s your own or someone else’s—can paralyze you. What if it’s not good enough? What if you can’t pull off that brilliant idea? These anxieties create a mental block that keeps you from starting or moving forward. I get it. I’ve had it. I still have it, but it’s fixable. The only real problem is that YOU are the only who can fix it.

2. Perfectionism

Writers can fall into the trap of wanting their first draft to be perfect. Folks…please hear me when I say this: your first draft will never be perfect. It’s literally impossible because the whole idea of writing a screenplay, or even a book really, is that it’s an invitation to collaborate with other people. From the director to the photographer to the editor and to your publisher, your story will ALWAYS have other people’s hands digging into it. Instead of just getting words on the page, you end up spending hours refining a single scene, or line of scene direction, or line of dialogue, or you even avoid writing altogether because you’re afraid it won’t be flawless. Let it go now, otherwise you will never find success.

3. Overwhelm

A story, screenplay, book - they are monumental tasks. I get it. Between character arcs, plot structure, emotional structure, dialogue, and visual storytelling, it’s easy to feel daunted. This overwhelming scope can make you hesitate to start because you don’t know where to begin. Luckily you have this Substack, my Story Farm coaching, and the Int’l Screenwriters’ Assoc (ISA) to help you figure out how to begin AND how to keep going.

4. Lack of Inspiration

Sometimes the ideas just don’t come. You might feel stuck, staring at a blank page, hoping for a lightning bolt of creativity that never seems to strike. The hard truth? It will NEVER strike if you don’t put yourself in the line of the storm, standing under that metal flagpole and hold an umbrella. What does that mean? YOU are in control of your own inspiration. If you don’t sit down to write, true creative inspiration will never come. Don’t only rely on a good little idea that might pop into your head while taking a shower.

5. Unclear Goals

Writing requires discipline, but without clear goals—such as deadlines or defined writing sessions—it’s easy to let “I’ll start tomorrow” turn into weeks or months of inaction. This is why working with a coach or taking a class is so very important. Writers need discipline and structure at least in SOME way.

6. External Distractions

Let’s face it: life gets in the way. Social media, emails, household chores, and Netflix can all pull you out of your creative flow. You may think that watching this new series on HBO Max is going to be “research”, but what good is research if you don’t apply what you learned? We have to manage these external distractions. They will always occur.

7. Decision Fatigue

Writing involves constant decision-making: Should your character take this action? Should the scene end here? Should you stick to three acts or try something unconventional? Too many choices can lead to creative paralysis. The hard truth? Tough luck, Buck. This will never change. You will just need to manage the needs for making decisions one decision at a time.

8 Ways to Overcome Procrastination

Let’s get into some positivity here. We have to acknowledge what’s holding us back before we can overcome those distractions, but we then need to consider the possible steps and actions we can take to move past them. There are plenty more than the below list (and I’d love to know what you do to overcome procrastination).

1. Embrace the Imperfect First Draft

Accept that your first draft is not supposed to be perfect. As Hemingway famously said, “The first draft of anything is bad.” Give yourself permission to write badly; the polishing comes later. And because of the vocation that we have chosen, rewrites are just simply part of the process. Don’t fear them.

2. Set Clear and Achievable Goals

Break your screenplay into smaller tasks. Instead of saying, “I need to write my screenplay,” commit to writing one scene, one beat, or even just one page per day. Small victories build momentum. Through my Story Farm coaching, I have set forth a very detailed, step-by-step approach that moves a writer from conceptual development to character development into structure and THEN eventually into writing the actual pages. Every single writer I have worked with over the past 18 years has either finished a fully developed first draft in three months or at least a very detailed 12-page outline that makes them more prepared (and more confident) to jump into the page writing.

3. Establish a Routine

Consistency is key. Set aside dedicated writing time each day, even if it’s only 30 minutes. By creating a routine, you train your brain to expect and embrace creativity during that time. This is what I’ve been doing for the past three months in order to let go of some of my less-than-healthy actions and thoughts. They say that it takes about 66 days to create and form a habit. 66 days! That’s nothing! It’s nothing because if you can form a healthy habit in 66 days, you suddenly have the rest of your life (which will hopefully be more than 66 days) to enjoy the fruits of this new healthy habit. Be patient with yourself and take it one day at a time.

4. Limit Distractions

Find a space where you can write without interruptions. Silence your phone, use website blockers, or even consider writing on a device without internet access to minimize distractions. Writing is a sacred art because we get to affect people’s emotions, beliefs, actions and reactions, and inspire them to make choices. That is a very special thing (for lack of a better way of saying it). Don’t take this creative process lightly. Create a sacred space for you as best as you can, and defend it with your life.

5. Create Accountability

Share your goals with a writing group, a mentor, or a friend. Knowing someone else is checking on your progress can help you stay on track. This is why I created the Story Farm Circle Community, host multiple webinars and workshops, as well as the ISA’s 30-Day Challenge (we have one beginning in late January ‘25). We need to be a part of a community. The Story Farm and the ISA dedicates itself to cultivating that community, so don’t be shy. Join up!

6. Use Writing Prompts

If you’re stuck, try a quick writing exercise unrelated to your current project. This can help spark creativity and loosen up your writing muscles. It’s a process that is so largely overlooked by writers. We all think we need to focus our time on writing our story, our script, our book. “My story will just sit there if I don’t work on it.” What is also just sitting there? Your talent and creativity and ability to naturally develop solid scenes, moments, and verbiage that will ignite the reader. We NEED to practice and therefore harness that talent. It will not grow ONLY because you’re writing your one story. (I’ve written up multiple Substack posts with specific writing prompts. As a paid subscriber, you have the ability to go back through my Substack archive, so jump in and take a stab at a few.)

7. Visualize the End Result and Reward Yourself

Imagine the excitement of seeing your completed screenplay or book, holding it in your hands and hugging it (I’m serious), hearing feedback from others, or watching it come to life on screen, or sit on a shelf at Barnes and Noble. Visualizing success can help you push through resistance. Incentivize your progress with rewards, too! Write for an hour, then treat yourself to a favorite snack, a short walk, or an episode of a show you love. At the very least, don’t be afraid to be proud of yourself! How often do you feel a little bit of pride sneak in, and then suddenly a thought pops up that begins with, “Yeah, but…”. Stop it with the yeah-buts! You’ve done something good, real, difficult, and succeeded even if it was just to sit down for a half-hour to write. That in and of itself is a success. Your reward is feeling good!

8. Reflect on Your “Why”

Remember why you’re writing in the first place. Are you passionate about telling a specific story? Do you dream of seeing your name in the credits or on a bookstore’s bestseller’s table? Reconnecting with your motivation can reignite your drive, but it also defines the stories that you like to tell. Your “why” is not only your voice, but it’s your engine. It becomes your north star, and helps you see how you connect with others. In a way…it’s everything.

Procrastination is a natural part of the creative process, everyone, but it doesn’t have to control your writing journey. By understanding why you procrastinate and implementing strategies to combat it, you can overcome resistance and bring your screenplay and story to life. Because that is what this process of writing is - it’s life. We’re creating universes, feelings, emotions, inspiration so that we can feel more human, more connected, and more alive. Do what you can to change your thoughts any time a limiting one pops in. Be aware of the thought and how it makes you feel, then make the decision as to whether or not you deserve to have that thought. I promise it will help you get over your procrastination.

Remember: the world needs your unique stories. Don’t let procrastination rob us of your voice and your “why”!

Max and The Story Farm offer all of his Substack content to ISA members for free, but a week or more after the original post was sent. If you would like to receive his most up to date Substack posts, as well as participate in a community of writers through his subscription and the Substack app, you can do so by going here: www.substack.com/@thestoryfarm