How I Overcome Writing Procrastination
I enjoy programming and have no problem concentrating to write code in order to solve a problem. However, when it comes to writing reports, papers, or worse, grant proposals, I tend to procrastinate a lot. I can certainly related to this tweet:
Recently I wrote quite a few grant proposals and I want to share three methods that I am using to combat procrastination:
Use a cheap Chromebook
A year and a half ago, I bought a refurbished HP Chromebook x360 Touch 11.6" Laptop with 4GB RAM and16GB storage. My original intention was to use it as a Linux laptop. I am able to use Crouton but did not really enjoy using an 11" laptop to do technical work.
The Chromebook turns out to be perfect for writing. It is just not convenient or pleasant enough for web browsing and yet good enough to just write. Its battery also lasts like forever so I can also take it anywhere for a writing session. I just let myself write because with a small screen and small keyboard, it is really not that convenient to edit or reorganize the contents.
Once I get most of the writing done, I go back to my main computer for the editing, which at the moment is a System76 Galapo Pro with 64 GB RAM, hooked up with an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Editing also requires doing some Internet searches which is prone to distraction. In this case, the following two methods are useful.
Block the calendar
Another useful trick that I use is that I actually block my Google calendar for my daily activities. This is like an appointment with myself. This achieves two effects: First, it helps me to prioritize and organize my days. Second, it also has some psychological effect on me that I need to be working on the task at the time specified.
I tend to have trouble getting started with the tasks that I don’t want to do, but once I get into them they are usually not that bad. For these tasks, I am generally happy to overrun the time block when needs to be and adjust the remaining tasks accordingly.
Pomodoro timer
The Pomodoro technique uses a timer to break tasks into (25 minutes) intervals, and you are supposed to only work on the pre-defined task in those 25 minutes. Watching the timer go down helps me to stay focus on the current task. I am using Toggl’s chrome plugin to keep track of time spent on each task as well as its Pomodoro timer. I also enable the “ticking sound” option during Pomodoro, for some reason hearing the faint ticking sound helps me to be more focused.
What about you? What are your ways to prevent procrastination?