I just finished several large projects; I deserve a break.

I’m distracted because I’m waiting on responses to my lit agent queries; can you blame me?

I’m suffering from Holiday Brain.

I’m suffering from S.A.D.

I’m suffering from this god-awful, nasty, lingering cold.

Poor excuses all, especially considering how much work I could’ve been doing based upon the goals I’d set out for myself.

I’ve been procrastinating on one project in particular: pulling together the notes for the ASJA panel I’m appearing on in the spring. (For more information, you can now find the lowdown on my Sex Writing panel here, on the tab for Saturday, April 28.)

Of course, when it comes to issues of procrastination, burnout, and rebooting, there’s a lot of advice out there: Step away from your work. Schedule in a walk, workout, or meal. Do something that nourishes your soul. Meditate. Etc.

But don’t these tips assume we’re all struggling for one, universal reason? Aren’t they all just temporary salves that don’t actually solve the underlying problem? Why else would we need to repeat them again and again (and again)?

Shouldn’t we be tackling the root of the problem?

Earlier this week, I started reading Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way (I know; I’m just 20 thousand years behind every other writer in the world), and began doing morning pages. On my very first morning, I found myself writing about the ASJA task I mentioned above, and about my true reasons for procrastinating. Somewhat miraculously, I was able to tease out the actual fears that were lurking behind my first reason for procrastinating: It’s far off, so I don’t yet feel any great sense of urgency.

One of those fears was in regard to my general horror in regard to public speaking. Will I be completely awkward? Will I be boring? Will I have a panic attack and lose consciousness? 

But the greater fear was revealed to be about my own feelings of inferiority. Am I too small-time for the well-established writers who will be attending ASJA? Will attendees be disappointed? I don’t make all my money as a writer! I’ve only written for two national magazines! I’m the only one on this panel without a published book! Am I good enough for this?

Once I had targeted these fears, I started flipping them around, transforming them into affirmations:

I have accomplished so much as a writer.

This is a sex writing panel. I have been writing about sex for 10 years, in a variety of media. I have a lot of valuable information to share.

I have been successful in the ways I’ve been hoping for. I am making enough money for me.

I have co-authored an ebook with a well-known sex counselor, and receive royalties. This accomplishment should bring me just as much validitation as the other panelists’ books.

I have something unique to offer.

After concluding my morning pages, I made my way to my computer and opened up the blank document that was to contain all my notes for the ASJA panel. I spent the next five hours drawing up a preliminary script for my presentation, putting together an outline for all the information I wanted to include, and contacting past editors for publication-specific advice I could share with panel attendees.

I got into the zone and, when I was done, I felt good. Relieved. Productive. Accomplished.

Scheduling in breaks and taking care of yourself are good tips when you’re suffering from burnout.

But what if you’re suffering from imposter syndrome? Or boredom with a project? Or lack of faith? What then?

Have you been procrastinating on a specific project lately? Try to pinpoint the true cause of your ambivalence. Then treat that cause… not the symptom.

Related: Didn’t Get It Done? That’s Your Own Damn Fault, Getting It Done, Want Freelance Success? Watch Your Health, How To Work from Home Without Losing Your Mind

[Image via]

Early yesterday, Marie Claire tweeted a link to a group of articles they have online, on how to beat the Sunday blues. Funny, that. Lately, it feels as if every day is Sunday.

Do you ever have weeks like that?

For the past two months, I’ve been getting used to my new schedule. I go in to an office in NYC three days a week, and work from home the other four days (what? you thought weekends were off limits? ha!).

It’s been an adjustment, but I’ve remained productive. But, lately — especially in the past week — I’ve felt a bit…off. My days in the office feel great. I’ve slowly been given more and more responsibility, blogging, editing, and more. And, most recently, I’ve really gotten into my latest project, in which I’ve taken over the management of their Love Buzz Twitter account. But on the days when I’m at home…well…they all feel like Sunday. I feel lazy. Groggy. And I have no interest in the humongo gigundo copywriting project I’m supposed to be working on. Though it’s a topic I’m into, it just feels like pulling teeth.

Is the faster pace of commuting/working in an office getting to me? Am I slowing down at home to make up for the extra time I no longer have? Is there a way to regain that motivation I originally felt for my other projects?

Have those of you who have juggled freelancing with a part-time job experienced this?

Help! I keep hoping this will pass, but I need to get this project done! And there are so many other things I want and need to be doing, but don’t have the drive, lately, to pursue them!

Related: Getting It Done, Motivational Trick: Fear (of Letting Others Down), How To Remain Productive When the Shit Hits the Fan

[Photo via]

I’ve been feeling a little anxious lately. I commute into an office three days a week now, leaving a lot less time for my other projects. I have a major magazine piece I’ve been meaning to tie up for months (this is what happens when my deadline gets extended). I’ve been struggling with a project outline for another client, stressing out about getting it wrong. And Christmas has sort of snuck up on me. There are still gifts to be bought, other gifts to be wrapped, cookies to be baked, and cards to be sent. All within the next week. Not only that, but I’m already feeling burnt out, and I have major problems with procrastination.

Yesterday, I talked to my mentor coach about procrastination, motivation, and low energy levels. I told her how I tend to put off large projects, intimidated by their scope, telling myself that there’s still time, yet feeling heart palpitations every time I think about the fact that they’re unfinished. Then, once I finally tackle the project (in the eleventh hour, of course), I’m blown away by how easy it is, wondering over how I had been worrying all this time about nothing. (Miraculously, using this tactic has never caused me to miss a deadline.) I tell her how I wish I could get things done early, instead of causing myself undue stress over an extended period of time. I tell her about my low energy levels. My exhaustion. My CFS. We brainstorm.

I left the call feeling a lot more optimistic about all the work on my plate. We had put together an action plan, and thrown around ideas for boosting my energy levels. I’ll share them with you now, because that’s just the type of gal I am. Below, my shiny, new plan for tackling large projects:

1. Score major project.

Do a happy dance. Skype my husband and gloat. Daydream about all of the pretty, pretty dresses and brand spanking new books I’ll buy with the money I eventually get for this project, despite the fact that I know–deep within myself–that I will actually end up using the money to pay off my credit card bill and student loans. Drool over the items on my Amazon Wish List, items that now seem closer to my grasp. Feel accomplished. Eat a cupcake.

2. Break major project down into less terrifying action steps.

Suddenly realize that project is big and scary. Consider hibernating instead of actually tackling project. Hug the cats for comfort. Then, remember this new plan, and feel a renewed sense of energy. Consider all the different, smaller steps this one, large project will actually require. (For example, for my wine article, I had to: Map out wineries, wine shops, wine bars, and restaurants around NJ; visit them; gather tidbits of info on them and put them into a single database; write intro; hand in.) Give myself mini-deadlines for each step. Pinky swear myself that I will actually meet them.

3. Bribe myself.

Realize that I will never actually meet mini-deadlines unless I bribe myself. Consider how I might reward myself upon the completion of each action step:

• a game of Spider Solitaire
• a DVRd episode of So You Think You Can Dance
• a nap with the cats

4. Boost my energy levels.

Despite what you might think, the fact that I have a pot of coffee for breakfast does not actually boost my energy levels. After thinking about the things that do energize me, I decided that, if I was starting to slow down, I would do a mini callanetics workout in my living room. I typically take a callanetics class with my mother once a week and, no matter how unmotivated I feel before the class, I always end up glad that I went. It never fails to simultaneously relax me and revive me. And it’s the type of workout that could easily be done at home. Considering that naps can leave me feeling groggy, I’ve decided that this is the best way to get my second wind.

5. Finish my project. Early. Because I am awesome.

At this point, I will have a celebratory glass of wine and then pass out.

So how do you guys manage larger projects? And what are your tricks for keeping your energy levels up?

p.s. I promised my coach that I would write the intro to my wine piece this coming Friday, and then hand it in (it’s not due until January 1). Help me keep my promise by berating me if I appear to be procrastinating.

Related: 5 Things I Learned About Business Management While Christmas Shopping

Hey there guys. I have a slew of new posts coming atcha next week but, for now, here’s this week’s link love:

• Quips and Tips for Successful Writers’ A Freelance Writer’s Spreadsheet for Invoices and Payments
• How To Work a Crowd [video]
• Writers Weekly’s How Much Are Examiner.com Writers Really Earning?
• Shine’s How To Stay in Touch Without Stalking
• Freelance Folder’s Ten Tips To Stay Motivated — Even When You Really Don’t Feel Like Working

The other month, I joined Freelance Success, at the urging of just about every freelance writer I know. An amazing resource for professional, nonfiction writers, the forums alone made me glad I’d finally sucked it up and paid the subscription fee.

Then Susan of The Urban Muse suggested I hop in on FLX’s Summer Query Challenge, wherein FLXers form teams and earn points for every query they send out (1 point) and every assignment they receive (3 points).

Since joining the challenge, my output has increased exponentially, merely because I so desperately want to pull my weight.

You guys: Fear is an excellent motivator.

So who can you be held accountable to?

Join FLX, or a Similar Professional Group:

I’ve mentioned professional organizations like the National Writers’ Union and the Editorial Freelancers Association in the past. I’d like to add Freelance Success to the group. If said group has a query challenge like the one mentioned above — or something similar — all the better. If not, take advantage of the forums in your search for moral support.

Sign Up for a non-Members Only Challenge:

Nanowrimo. Blog carnivals. Blogs with daily writing challenges. If it’s the challenge more than the people involved that makes your motor run, dare yourself to complete one of these babies. If nothing else, they’ll help you come up with new content ideas.

Join a Writers Group:

We’ve discussed writers groups as well. Back in the day, my writers’ group went a long way in keeping me on the ball. We’d give each other homework assignments at every meeting, to ensure that optimal levels of productivity when we were apart.

Take a Class:

Classes are an excellent way to hone your skills (duh) and even network with other writers. But aside from that, having real homework assignments to contend with can get you moving like nothing else.

Buddy Up:

Cherry pick someone from either your personal or professional network who agrees to keep you on point. Perhaps you could do the same for them.

Okay, back to work for me. I’ve got me some points to earn!

Related: How to Market Yourself: Getting Out More, Finding Someone to Drag You To the Finish Line, Build Your Own: Writing Group, How to Stay Motivated When Life is Less Than Motivating

I’ve been missing my old writing group.

We met several years ago, in Cris Beam’s From Pitch to Publish Class at New School. For at least a year, the four of us workshopped each others’ pieces, shared contacts, suggested paying markets, and basically gave each other the kicks in the ass we needed.

Eventually, life got busy. One of us moved to Brooklyn. One of us moved abroad. One of us had a baby. And I kept getting promoted at work, a development that forced me to travel more often on business.

I’d love to start a new group. But how? And who?

Who:

It’s tough to populate a writing group when you work from home. I’m a fan of the classmate approach.

When you fill your group with those you’ve already been workshopping with, you already have an idea of their strengths and weaknesses. You can easily find a leader for you group…someone with research savvy…someone with strong writing, editing, and interviewing skills…someone with experience in the publishing field, and the contacts to back it up.

Other than that, try posting on bulletin boards, such as those at MediaBistro and FreelanceSwitch. Send out an SOS to craiglist surfers. Tweet about your writing group desires, or put up a bulletin on MySpace or Facebook. If you’re a member of a professional organization or online discussion group, send out a group-wide message.

The Writer Magazine even lists already-existing groups! (Anyone know of any similar resources out there?)

What:

When you send out your SOS, be sure to specify what type of writing projects you’re interested in workshopping. A screenwriter may not be much help to a children’s book author, but if you can manage to pull together a group of people who are all interested in narrative journalismj, you’re in business!

Where:

My old writing group used to meet after class, at the diner around the corner. It was convenient to all of us, was able to accomodate our group (with room for spreading out our variuos papers, notebook, and pens), and we didn’t need shout at each other in order to be heard. Plus, they made a mean egg salad sandwich.

In choosing your own venue, make sure to check out all possibilities in person, so that you can verify capacity, noise levels, etc. If you need Internet access, places such as Panera Bread provide free and unlimited wireless connections. Check out this Mashable post on 30+ Ways to Find Wi-Fi Hotspots.

Of course, you can always just rotate between your various home bases. Potluck, anyone?

When:

The frequency of your get-togethers is entirely up to you, but in figuring this out, you should consider the fact that leaving too much time between meetups could cause you to lose momentum, while leaving too little time could ensure that no one ever gets a damn thing done in the interims.

Why:

There are a number of valid reasons for forming a writing group. The sense of community alone is attractive to someone like myself, who wears her pajamas for far too long each morning, and has started having entire conversations with her cats. Aside from that:

• it’s nice to have fresh, objective eyes on your writing, for issues like spelling, grammar, style, information gaps, etc.
• having someone that you’re accountable to means you’ll be less likely to slack off.
• having someone to bounce ideas off of means you’re less likely to mistakenly pitch a half-formed idea to an editor who will then proceed to think less of you.
• having a group populated by people with varying interests, and different reading habits, can open you up to a whole new world of publication possibilities.
• the members of your group may be able to share contacts and opportunities with you. And of course, you’ll do likewise.
• being among a group of people who share your passion will fire you up like nothing else.

How:

The rules of workshopping vary from group to group, but those in my group benefited from providing each other with weekly homework assignments and deadlines, and developing quantitative goals for pitches and submissions.

Have you been, or are you now in a writing group of your own? How do you operate, and how has this affected your personal work habits, and your professional achievements? I’d love to hear your stories!

From Michelle Goodman’s My So-Called Freelance Life:

“Take a page from Molly Crabapple and get your friends in on the act: ‘For big, long-term goals, I’ve found loudly bragging about what I’m going to do makes me do it,’ says the award-winning illustrator… ‘Otherwise, I have to face the humiliation of public failure.’ (Talk about incentive.)”

[Photo via]

Aaaand I’m back, thanks to a new wireless g USB network adapter. Yes, I spent the bulk of today losing my shit as my Internet connection went down every five minutes. As a result, I was able to squeeze in three Modern Materialist posts, but not much else.

But that’s not the only reason it’s been quiet around here this week, and that’s why I’m writing this post.

For the past two months, my mood has been a roller coaster, verging on manic optimism during the highs, and depression and fear during the lows. The reasons? The folding of the Sun. The realization that full-time freelancing might not be the right thing for me. The desire for a coaching certification, without the money to enter the necessary certification program. My dwindling bank account. My resulting aimlessness.

On the one hand, all this free time has given me the opportunity to concentrate on my writing, and I’ve gotten three recent clips — with a fourth one forthcoming — out of that. On the other hand, I’ve found it difficult to keep up this momentum, as distracted as I am by my other concerns.

While I realize that this is no mere case of writer’s block, I feel that some of the “cures” for writer’s block could be helpful in a situation such as this. Which is why I was excited to see Jenny Cromie’s post on the subject over at The Golden Pencil: When Your Muse Goes On Strike, Grab a Club.

Jenny suggests the typical block-busting tips, such as committing yourself to writing for a certain amount of time each day, and stepping away from the work when your brain needs a break. The tip that intrigued me the most was her last one, one “read[ing] the stars.” And no, I don’t mean my horoscope.

Jenny writes that when she’s “low on inspiration and need[s] to control [her] inner muse, simply reading the work of [her] favorite writers helps remind [her] of what’s possible and puts [her] back on track.”

I feel much the same way, when I read work by Barbara Kingsolver and Lorrie Moore. Who are the stars guiding you? And what do you use to get out of a work-strangling funk?