This year, I’ve been trying to make the move from being deadline-driven to being self-disciplined.
My nature is to rely on external cues, like deadlines, for accountability. So my three-year play commission, which I believe I could have written in a year, is taking the entire three years. Why? The (outer, external) deadline hasn’t arrived.
Here’s another example: I work out with weights twice a week, like clockwork, and I’m very consistent. But it’s because I work with a trainer, and I’ve established the regular routine with her. She’s my external accountability.
When it comes to self-discipline and my writing, there are two things that make me procrastinate: fear is the biggest. Distractions are next. So I’ve learned to break down larger writing tasks using the Pomodoro Method, and just get started. I activate Freedom (an app) to keep me off social media and the internet, my big distractions. Sometimes I write by hand because it seems less of a commitment, and easier, somehow. I use a calendar method to sort out the important things to do every day … and put writing first.
There’s one other technique I use to be as productive and self-disciplined as I can. Each day that I write, I apply a colorful sticker to that day on a big wall calendar I keep in my study. After months of this, I have a bright, happy chain of stickers spanning the width of the calendar. It may seem gimmicky, but I’m highly motivated to avoid “breaking the chain.”
One of the most important things to get better at self-discipline is to take small actions. It can seem overwhelming to tackle huge, intimidating projects … so I don’t. Instead, I take on tiny actions, things so small I can’t say no. I set my timer for twenty minutes, and begin.