Motivation Blues
As deadlines for the super secret comic project loom I am finding it hard to actually sit down and concentrate on getting it done. I'll get home and think to myself, 'oh I'll just check my email / flip on the TV / read this comic I have read 10 times already first, and then I'll get started' and before I know it 3 hours have passed and I'm ready to fall asleep without ever touching pencil to paper.
It's infuriating, and it means that I spend the whole next day at work wishing I could get home and catch up on the work I missed out on the previous night - only by the time I actually do get home I just want to slouch in front of the TV all over again. At the moment I am just about on schedule - I have about 2 and a half weeks to produce the first 3 episodes, and I have half an episode done, but I have had weeks and weeks to work on it and I should be much further ahead than this. I am my own worst enemy.
I think I need to start practicing yoga so I can learn to kick myself up my own backside.
Comments
Don't worry - this is how deadlines work. Your body has a little clock which counts down to the last moment by which you must start your work if it is to be finished. Until that moment is reached your body secretes idleness hormones that overwhelm the panic induced adrenaline secretions.
As soon as the moment is reached the idleness hormones are de-activated, your hair stands on end; you involuntarily shout "FUCK" and you can then work.
If it were different and you were able to get things done well in advance, your fellow freelancers and deadline slaves would think you a swot and refuse to invite you to parties.
This could get out of hand if you don't do something fast...the task is too big to complete in a last-minute fashion. Here's what works for me (when writing big books or overhauling websites etc)
One thing that might help is making an hour-by-hour timetable covering each week, and breaking the tasks down into small chunks. That way it feels more manageable and less daunting, and you'll have a record of progress to boost your confidence.
The other thing to do is set up a reward system - little rewards at first, and a stonking big one at the end so you have something positive to look forward to.