Now that I have all this energy, what do I do?

Jump to Comments

So you’re writing your 7-10 page paper as previously advised, or maybe you’re saying—screw it, I’m writing this dissertation my way or the highway. In either case you’re probably wanting to get some serious work done while the iron is still hot, so to speak. But, it’s been so long since I’ve made any real progress! I’ve forgotten how…
Here are some favorite ways to get back in the writing groove:

The Work Group—

This is a popular one I believe because of how effective exam study groups can be and because of the accountability other people tend to bring to one’s own laziness. The idea is that a small group decides to get together at specific times for the sole purpose of doing solitary work. In my experience, the effectiveness of groups like this is a delicate, delicate affair rooted in the science of group dynamics. As we know from physics, one tiny suggestion of a break for Starbucks, or quiet reminder that the possibility of rain my be a serious travel risk, can be enough of a catalyst to completely halt a body in motion. The other pitfall of groups like this is the tendency to compare one’s rate of work to one’s friend sitting with you. If you’re style tends toward staring off into space for 45 minutes before getting word one on paper, this may not be the format for you. I think that these kinds of meetings are best when used to keep from flying off into isolation panic as opposed to the main way you get work done. For this reason I think a once a week meeting to get together and do a little work and remind yourself that other people are in the same boat, is probably as much as you need.

The Little Bit Every Day Method—

Here’s a plan that I really commend for its enthusiasm. How many times have I said to myself, “I’ll just do a very do-able hour a day” Not only have I said this myself, but I’ve read this advice in almost every book about writing I’ve ever read. If you can do this, it is a superior method. Or so I’m told. I’ve never been able to because the rebel part of my backstabbing brain always chimes in with, “Don’t tell me what to do!” Here’s a variation on this theme that has worked for me in the past for writing and even for exercise. 1. Make a vague plan for when you might get work done. As vague as say, after lunch. 2. If you feel like you could possibly get some work done at that time, say to yourself, “I’ll just sit down and see what happens. 3. In these cases either you will get something done, or it just won’t happen. Either way, don’t sweat it. It was just one day.
I’ve found that if I approach this method with a large does of self forgiveness, I’ll wind up ‘just sitting down and seeing what happens’ more often than I thought I might have based on my track record.

The Tiny Project—

This is not so much a method for sitting down to get work done as it is a strategy for working once one has sat down. When you sit down, have a tiny plan of what you’re going to do. Mind you, this is not the ‘vague plan’ mentioned in the “Little Bit Every Day Method.” This is a real plan of what you’re going to work on in that moment—that is ridiculously tiny. Let’s say you have the theoretical background of your dissertation to write. That’s admittedly a huge project. So to smallify it, take one strand, even if you don’t know what all of the strands are yet you still have one small fragment of an idea of a direction to go. That small fragment of an idea of a direction has a literature associated with it. Go to the library and get those books and articles. That is a tiny project.

The Bad Writing Psych Out—

Actual Writing. Let’s face it, nobody wants to do it, but at some point you will write an entire dissertation. Here’s a fact: editing is much easier to do than writing. First of all, you can always get your friends to help you edit. Secondly, editing involves less fear than writing because you’re not staring at blankness which reminds the mind of eternity which is never a good thing. So the point is, you can and should write badly and just keep that bad writing flowing. Exact perfect word? Who cares! This thing has no recognizable organization? Doesn’t matter! Just get something assembled on paper even if it’s only the quotes you’re going to use.

Special properties of the library belief—

This bit of faith may be specific to me, I realize that. But in the event that it has some relevance in your life, here goes. I believe that the library has special work getting done vibes which can be tapped into by working at the library. Work vibes can also be generated on one’s own by locking yourself in your apartment all weekend and engaging in only two mentionable activities: working and eating. In this case what happens is that instead of feeding off others work energy vibes in the library; you create your own work energy vibes because that’s all your doing, and they stay around to buoy you up and keep you in a state of work inertia! This is a great method to use in small powerful doses.

Please post with your experiences and advice, methods, strategies, or other alchemical winning combinations for forward movement!

2 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized