Ever wanted to write but...
By Bethany1202
@Bethany1202 (3431)
United States
December 10, 2009 8:36am CST
Have you ever planned out what you were going to do for a few hours on the computer, for example:
*write 3 articles
*check email
*surf
... But instead you end up writing one article instead of 3 and then end up goofing off?
I always plan on writing more articles than I do, but then I start listening to some music and relaxing, then surfing, checking email and clicking all these links... Before I know it my time is up and I have to go to work, go to bed, etc. *sigh*
Does this ever happen to you? I know I should be more strict with myself because I am trying to do experiments to earn more cash on AC, but sometimes it's hard to discipline myself.
Maybe I should set up a simple rewards system, such as: if I write all 3 planned articles, THEN and ONLY then can I listen to an hour of music, play games, etc.
What do you think? Do you ever set up any rewards systems for yourself, or do you find it easy to stay on track?
7 people like this
17 responses
@chulce (1537)
• United States
10 Dec 09
Setting yourself goals and limits is always a great idea. However, if you feel that you are stuck only using one place to write. Don't there are many others out there that are just as good as A/C... Don't get me wrong I too write on A/C but, I don't limit my work to just there site. I have found other sources that help me with my writing equally as much and in some cases even better because they give specialized writing prompts that actually pay a bit more than A/C.
Even though you aren't just working on an article while surfing thing about other ideas that you may be getting from what you are doing as well. For example coming up with a children's story while playing a game.
Good luck!
3 people like this
@Bethany1202 (3431)
• United States
10 Dec 09
I do write for several other sites, Bukisa and eHow are two of the others I use. Often times I revert to playing games on GSN.com or something LOL!
I do a fair share of writing but I would like to do much more.
2 people like this
@chulce (1537)
• United States
10 Dec 09
Something that I have done is set myself up with a writing appointment. Just like a doctor's appointment, however it is with me, the computer or a pad of paper. Depending on what I know I have going on during the day, it can be for 30 minutes or longer.
What I try to do is look at the different sites that I write for see what is going on at first, then if I find something write. If not, then I do a writing practice, it is still writing although it may not be generating income, it helps keep the ideas flowing and helps me to de-stress about not getting an article accomplished. Once I have spent the allotted time writing, then I reward myself by playing a game etc.
One of the writing practices I use is actually coming on here to Mylot and writing responses, etc. I work on sentence structure spelling and the like to help improve my writing skills and well pass on a few suggestions and ideas that may help someone else along the way.
3 people like this
@moondancer (7433)
• United States
10 Dec 09
Sometimes I get my best ideas while driving in the car or out and about or when I lay down.
I have a small cassette recorder that a wonderful friend here sent to me. It helps a lot. Many times I can not grab a pen and paper, or by the time I do things have changed and the first thoughts were better.
2 people like this
@madteaparty (2748)
• Japan
10 Dec 09
Your idea looks a little like a method for studying. If you think about it, is similar. When we study we end up goofing off and studying less than we wanted. I think is a good idea to put yourself some rules so you can procrastinate less 
3 people like this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
11 Dec 09
Your right, I didn't actually think about it like that but it is like studying...
1 person likes this
@moondancer (7433)
• United States
10 Dec 09
It sounds like you have a good plan in your head. Now to implement it. You only get what you put into something.
I try to make a goal or to say I need this amount for "whatever"...I must do this or make this and I try to do it. It helps if you have a picture of what you want and tack it up where you can see it. Visuals do help. It helps to keep you on track to get what you want.
3 people like this
@Bethany1202 (3431)
• United States
11 Dec 09
So true, thanks for putting things into perspective.1 person likes this
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
10 Dec 09
If you plan on working from home you will have to discipline yourself to stay on track. Sometimes I get on line just to surf and when I'm writing an article and I need to do some research I'll goof off for a little bit and come back to the assignment at hand. A reward system for yourself is a great idea, I think I will have to try that since I'm going to start writing more stuff for me after the first of the year. You are an inspiration Bethany!
3 people like this
@Bethany1202 (3431)
• United States
11 Dec 09
Gee thanks -- thanks for the help AND for the kind words. Best wishes!
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
10 Dec 09
I am retired so i don't have to stay on track anymore like i did when i was working. I do pretty much as i want to since there is noone here but me. lol
@Bethany1202 (3431)
• United States
11 Dec 09
Sounds geat!! -- Enjoy your retirement. : )
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
10 Dec 09
No . I make notes of what I want to write and what usualy happens is I run out of time. My best friend and I get to talking about a previous subject and I run out of time to start a topic I wanted to. But since I still have my notes I can write later. Thank G-d for notes.
2 people like this
@oscar6 (1938)
• United States
17 Jun 11
When I make goals I usually stick with them. The reward of getting upfront payment is enough for me. That usually makes me want to stay on track. I usually outline articles that I want to write the day before and then write them all the next day.That way it is easy for me to keep my goals and to write all the articles for the day.
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
11 Dec 09
Yes, I've experienced this a lot of times. The funny thing is; I could concentrate on mylot better rather than writing articles. In fact, I have some posts to load, but I'm not writing them down. The ideas, phrases and key pointers are already there; I just need to put them in sentences and paragraphs. If only I do have the drive to punch out 10 per day or something, it would be awesome. I find the mind burning quickly when writing articles, rather than discussions here. Don't know why; and writing is supposed to be relaxing. Perhaps too relaxing and that's why I am delaying it off for a minute again. LOL..
I think to discipline oneself, the method you said might work. To not having to eat, drink or listen to music and surfing unless 1-2 articles have been done, at least. That has worked for me before, but lately, I've been hanging on loose again. Should tie myself down again then, ha.
2 people like this
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
12 Dec 09
@SomeCowgirl
Thanks there.. really? I didn't know the love thingy after the Z alphabet, LOL. I am sometimes bored and have itchy fingers so I keep on changing avatars, ha... I can't remember the previous person I've responded so I'm just gonna say I love all mylot friends and buddies..
Oh yeah, the mind wonders easily when we are not tying it up.
@Bethany
I sometimes try to tie my mind up with article writings and then discovering I'm stuck with it. Only to come back up active the next time, but then it starts again, LOL.. therefore, I only have this rule to write whenever I feel like it. At least i that way, I won't be bound to anything and won't slack on it. This is another alternative method I have in place.
Oh yeah, the mind wonders easily when we are not tying it up.
@Bethany
I sometimes try to tie my mind up with article writings and then discovering I'm stuck with it. Only to come back up active the next time, but then it starts again, LOL.. therefore, I only have this rule to write whenever I feel like it. At least i that way, I won't be bound to anything and won't slack on it. This is another alternative method I have in place.@Bethany1202 (3431)
• United States
11 Dec 09
I do often write down notes at work or wherever I am when not in front of the computer for articles I plan on writing, and that tends to work pretty well sometimes. I usually do pretty good.
I would like to write 3-5 articles per day, essentially, but so far I usually only write 1-3. I need to just step it up a little. 
2 people like this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
11 Dec 09
Zed, I had looked at your profile I'd say two hours ago and saw that you do change your avvie very often, now from a mug was it? to a Z!
Now you know a Z means you must tell the next person you talk to you love them, atleast that's the way it was in school...
So the next responder you should say I love you to, not me though for my affection and love is all to my husband.
In any case, I find that I do my best work when I just let my mind wander.
2 people like this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
11 Dec 09
I try to set up a rewards system for myself, but find myself goofing off either way. I guess it's more that I say "If I do this, I'll earn more and be able to get more"... Now I've thought of a different kind of rewards system in that while I still want to earn more, it's solely earning here to get the "wants" and mine and my husband's paychecks be spent for our "needs"... I want to see how good that works with us not having much time to mylot...
I just started my job so maybe after a few weeks I'll get into a groove.
2 people like this
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
10 Dec 09
I have that problem all the time. I am supposed to be writing articles now. I have the title, I have even started typing some of the paragraph. I just got distracted by going to the bathroom and getting some water so now, here I am. LOL I am real focused today. LOL
3 people like this
@birdlady41465 (223)
• United States
10 Dec 09
I plan my day like this every day but never seems to get done as planned just as you with the computer I say going to get on and do homework but some how I do not get it done. Like right now was suppose to get on and do homework and work on job sites well homework is done this time but took me 4 days to get it done. Now working on here discussion some interesting things others not so much but answering them anyway for maybe some of my so so advice could really help someone. Rewarding your self does not always work for you are the one who gives the rewards and only you know if you have completed it or not so really you can get the reward even without completing the tasks. Only set up a reward system that someone else can control if you get or not for doing your lists. Hope this helps.
@greatsasuke (472)
• United States
10 Dec 09
I am a pretty disciplined person, so I don't have much problem staying on track. I guess it is due to playing type of sport my whole life. This has taught me to be punctual and set goals. I think that you should set a goal for yourself each time, like I will write at least 3 articles today. However, you shouldn't write the articles so fast that they are sloppy. So, maybe just set a time limit, like I will work on my articles for 3 hours even if I only get one done. That means you can not listen to music or do anything else for that one hour, though.
2 people like this
@arystine (1273)
• Philippines
11 Dec 09
I've always been goal-oriented but I tend to goof off every once in a while. I plan the tasks that I have to do and vow to accomplish them on time. However, if there is longer time for deadline, I'm usually laidback on the first few days and then working non-stop as the deadline comes nearer. :-)
@Bethany1202 (3431)
• United States
11 Dec 09
I am very similar. I like to think I work well under pressure, but ... Hey whatever! LOL
1 person likes this
@AnythngArt (3302)
• United States
11 Dec 09
All of my delaying seems to come before the writing process. I usually do research on what I am going to write about before I sit down to the computer. Once I am actually writing the article, even if I don't feel like it, it seems to work. However, I will do everything to procrastinate till I get there.
I am really lucky if I get one new article posted daily. With AC, I am usually re-posting old articles unless I am doing a Call for Content from AC. I got frustrated getting rejected by them, so only would do new articles when I knew I would get paid or just re-post for page views (which ends up being the majority of my articles on AC).
I would like to write more, and need a new system to make it work, I think.
@hsofyan (3446)
• Jakarta, Indonesia
11 Dec 09
I often go through that. Planning for a lot of writing, but in reality only write 1-2 articles. Sometimes the mood of "forced" to do other activities.
A good idea to create a system of rewards and punishment in this case. But it certainly will not be 100% effective, because "judged" by himself.
1 person likes this
@rjvb26 (2518)
• Philippines
11 Dec 09
don't worry i also feel the same sometimes, you are not the only one, you are not alone. But you know i always do the mind over matter thing, and it works for me. Sometimes if i feel being a lazy person, i just sit, relax, reflect, refresh and then go in front of computer again to write new interesting and sense full articles. Have a great day.
1 person likes this
