Procrastination vs Creativity-Why The Battle Of Procrastination & Creativity Needn't Be A Bloodbath

Procrastination is a curse that strikes all of us who create. It works in all kinds of devious ways, and most of the time we’ve already wasted time we wanted to spend creating before we’ve even realised that we HAVEN’T been creating.

How often have you found yourself saying “I’ll just check my email”, “I’ll just make a drink” or “I’ll just reorganise my set of 248 tubes of oil paint” as a way of avoiding creating?

So, procrastination and creativity, can they ever co-exist?

Or are they forever to be locked in a bloody battle inside you, each fighting to the death for your very soul?

Fortunately, yes there is hope.

Here are 3 steps to use to ensure that creativity and procrastination live side by side as harmoniously as possible in your creative life:

Step 1. Admit that you procrastinate. And that it takes time and energy and focus away from you creating. Accept that procrastinating is not a hangable offence or a deadly sin, and that everyone – yes everyone – who creates also falls prey to habits of procrastination from time to time.

Once you admit this, much of its power and influence is already reduced. A huge spotlight is shone into the shadowy corners and edges that procrastination likes to lurk in. It can’t hide anymore, it knows you’re on to it!

Step 2. Accept that procrastination is not invincible or unconquerable. If you treat something with too much awe and reverence, it’s easy to get sucked into a kind of myth situation. Then the myth of the power of procrastination actually becomes stronger and more intimidating than the procrastination habits themselves.

Don’t get sucked into this way of thinking. Procrastination is only as powerful as you let it be. It can only do serious damage to your creativity if you let it get out of hand and become a bigger issue than it needs to be.

Step 3. The power and the choice lie with you. Put simply - You can choose to procrastinate or to not procrastinate. “Hang on” I hear you cry, “I don’t CHOOSE to procrastinate, why would I do that? Sometimes I don’t even know I’m doing it!”.

Break the statement down a little further: You can CHOOSE whether to accept you procrastinate or not. You can CHOOSE whether you pledge to become more aware of the times and situations you’re most likely to procrastinate. You can CHOOSE whether to take action to overcome procrastination habits and replace them with some that are more supportive and useful for the creative work that matters to you.

These 3 steps will help you start to overcome procrastination and realise that a harmonious relationship between it and your creativity can exist.

What's the next positive action you can take towards this today?

For more on recognising and overcoming the kind of things that stop you being more creative, I invite you to download your free copy of the powerful and practical "Explode Your Creativity!" Action Workbook at http://www.CoachCreative.com

If you’re ready to beat procrastination and set your creativity free in the next 21 days, check out the powerful ecourse “7 Steps To Freedom: How To Beat Procrastination And Set Your Creativity Free” at http://www.HowToBeatProcrastination.com

From Creativity Coach Dan Goodwin