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Issue 2 > How to beat procrastination.

How to beat procrastination.

Dan Goodwin with five danger signs that you're putting thing off more than you realize.

'Procrastination? Yeah I probably procrastinate a bit now and then, doesn't everyone?'

This might well be your response if I asked you if you suffered from procrastination. And yes, we all procrastinate to some extent, even for a few moments here and there. But having such a casual 'It's ok because everyone else does it' attitude can be dangerous.

Those seemingly innocent and harmless little habits of procrastination can gradually expand without you realizing. Before you know it, for every hour of 'creative time', you're spending less than 15 minutes actually creating. For the rest of it you're involved in some kind of procrastination.

So here are five danger signs that tell you you're procrastinating more than you realize. How many can you recognize?

1 You spend more time preparing to create than actually creating. Yes, all creative work needs some kind of gathering of materials or resources before you start.

But when you find that every time you go to create, you're rearranging your paintbrushes in size order, and sharpening every pencil whether it needs it or not, it's time to admit you've crossed the line. That's just procrastination, pure and simple.

2 You feel afraid to create spontaneously, at the risk of making of a mess. Some creative projects need a bit of planning. But for most you can simply throw down what you have already within you, it's all there waiting to be released into the world.

If you always feel you have to meticulously plan each project and the phrase 'spontaneous creating' sends you running for the safety of your duvet, it's a sure sign you're procrastinating, not creating.

3 You can't remember the last time you created for more than five minutes without stopping or losing focus. Do you always set out to create with the best of intentions but five minutes in find you're making a drink, choosing the 'perfect' music to play in the background or cleaning that distracting layer of dust on your bookshelf? Then procrastination has got you well and truly under its spell.

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