You Can't Drive a Parked Car
Tips to beat analysis paralysis and procrastination to move forward
Who moved my momentum?
Momentum is hard to come by sometimes. External circumstances, internal conflict, or a combination of the two often keep us in “park” when we should be “driving” in life. Life’s a journey after all.
There’s plenty of mileage to cover it but some days not much drive to move forward. Maybe you can relate? You can’t drive a parked car, that’s for sure.
And I should know, because my metaphorical car has been stop and go over the years. Sometimes way more stop than go. Too often, I sit around with lots of potential and never shift into gear. This leaves a trail of unfinished projects, stories never written, and plans never realized.
How can we get back into motion?
Potential that doesn’t translate into action is an inglorious waste. Words not written and regrets collected are no good. Here are a few possible ways to banish analysis paralysis and throw your creative car into drive:
Pray/Meditate/Visualize - I recently read a Bible devotional that talked about praying before writing. Despite being a Christian for a long time, I have to admit I never thought of this. I realize this may be the key to why I’ve had such a hard time moving ahead. I was trying to make things happen in my own strength without praying and seeking God’s power. Now I am stopping to pray before I write, and have already noticed a difference in my creative flow.
Use a Calendar - I find that putting things on a calendar helps. For me, it’s with pencil and a planner book. For others, it might be a digital calendar. When I schedule errands and writing time, it is WAY more likely that I’ll follow through if I write it down. We must treat it like an appointment of any other kind. Committing space on the calendar makes my intentions and goals more tangible.
Set Routines - When I was a kid, Saturdays were for stripping the sheets from the beds, laundering them, and hanging them on the line when weather permitted. I try to follow this same routine. Chores, creative projects, and family time can all be set up on specific days and times if you life allows. I plan to spend this summer establishing good routines so life has a more regular rhythm.
Seek Accountability - If there’s something you want to accomplish, like getting in shape or finishing a creative project, tell someone. Give a friend permission to check in with you. I’ve done this on occasion with friends for creative and fitness goals. It really works. Having a buddy to check in with helps make it more likely you’ll follow through
Set Deadlines - This is the hardest to plan and predict outcomes for because life happens. The unexpected sometimes sidelines our best intentions. I’m revisiting the process of sorting out how to finish my manuscript. Looking at the calendar helps me see how much I can realistically accomplish. Then I can set daily word count goals to work towards an end date. I’ll post these in my writing space as a visual reminder of what I hope to do.
If you’ve been stuck in park, I hope this has provided encouragement. I’m starting the ignition and throwing this baby into drive. Chugging along the best I can beats revving my engine and never doing anything.
Are you ready to throw your life into drive? Join me. Let’s hit the road together.
Community Garden:
Join in the conversation by leaving a comment. Let’s get to know one another better as we continue on the writer’s journey.
Which of the 4 tips above for getting back in motion feels most relevant to your life right now?
Is there a specific task, project, or goal you’ve been sitting on you’d like to restart?
So very practical. Starting is often the hardest part of any job, including writing! I did hear a tip the other day that resonates with your article. "Do the next thing." Sometimes it's just that there are so many things hovering to be done....but if I just "do the next thing" it can help me move. I also try to list what I'll start on the next writing session, so I'm not left in a haze on what to get moving on...and this includes researching and the other tasks associated with writing. Thanks for sharing! And love your title.