Comments on: 5 Principles to Remember as You Battle the Demons of Creative Procrastination

By: Marg

Marg — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 07:42:27 +0000

Lots of great advice. I couldn’t agree more about how helpful Morning Pages are. They flush some of the dross from my mind and somehow I feel clearer and more ready for the day. I don’t always do them but I’ve found that I get more writing done on the days that I do them.

By: Jeanie Ransom

Jeanie Ransom — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:51:01 +0000

I’m in week 10 of The Artist’s Way (tried it a couple of years ago, but bailed by week 5), and I’ve found that the morning pages have opened up a small hole in the dam that has held back my creativity the last couple of years. I’ve stopped calling them “morning pages,” since I also tend to write them in the evening, or yes, at midnight. Hurray for midnight pages!

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:34:00 +0000

I always wondered why I’d stop to check for breaking sports news in the middle of chapter. I’ve used #4 to be able to get back to sleep when I woke up in the middle of the night with my head spinning. It’s amazing how effective the clearinghouse can be. Thanks for the post!

By: Kristan

Kristan — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:00:29 +0000

Aww, adorable doggie pic! I hope he got a bed eventually.

GREAT advice all around. Thank you. It’s good to know that I (usually) already do most everything you listed, but sometimes it’s even better to be reminded to (always) do it.

The one thing I don’t do is the “morning pages,” and maybe I should start. I was forced to do it at a writing workshop I went to, and like you said, it actually turned out out to be good for me, even when what I wrote was useless.

By: Brian Hodge

Brian Hodge — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:26:39 +0000

This is really, really, really, really solid stuff.

And another thumbs-up for #4. Interesting: There are two polarities in approach for task/time management … bottom-up, ala Allen’s GTD system, and top-down, exemplified by Tony Robbins’ RPM system … but central to both of them is that brain-dump capture phase to clear the clutter and minutiae from your head. I too find it hugely helpful.

Never have tried morning pages, although I’ve had The Artist’s Way sitting unread on the shelf for waaaay longer than it took you to get to GTD. I tend to be such a perfectionist that I’ve always feared I would get too caught up in trying to make them something more than what they’re supposed to be. But, you know, this has been a nudge to give that a try this week.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:30:06 +0000

It’s all spot on. Esp. the Mt. Everest reference.

By: moonduster (Becky)

moonduster (Becky) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:14:49 +0000

These are some very useful tips! Thank you for sharing this!

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:18:48 +0000

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By: Vicki

Vicki — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:10:09 +0000

Great post, Justine. I find #4 really works for me. Off to tackle my Mount Everest…