Someone give me a kick up the bum...

[CoffeeMummy]

...and tell me to get on with the marketing work I'm doing (paid) instead of the writing I'd RATHER be doing (unpaid).

I really don't enjoy the marketing stuff - it's not what I'm trained or experienced in, am just doing it really to bring in a few paltry pounds while I get established as a freelance journalist.

I'd much rather be writing, blogging, researching, brainstorming, pitching...instead I'm sitting here in front of spreadsheets and trying to design flyers and update a website despite not having the first clue about Joomla. I'm SO under-motivated for this work

Help!

Make yourself a nice cup of coffee, work out how much time you will need to finish the marketing work by your deadline and then attack it in chunks. I find an adapted version of the Flylady method works well for me when motivation is low. Set a kitchen timer to go off every 15 minutes; spend a 15 minute chunk on your work, then the next 15 minute chunk having another coffee cleaning your bathroom, etc etc. I find I'm loads more productive doing it like that, and the house is clean. For once.

Just keep reminding yourself of all the lovely writing you'll be able to do once this work's out of the way, and the lovely money it'll earn you!

I also use the timer when my motivation is low - also flylady inspired I do 25 mins work, 5 min break & then after an hour I have a 15 min break. And agree that a clear, broken down to do list makes things feel more acheivable (& allows you to cross things off more often, therefore feeling hugely productive!)

That said, I'm on mn now, and not off sorting my own website, as I should be!

Ok, so timers are the way forward then?! That might work, and help me to focus. My problem is I faff about with the marketing for 10 mins, then get distracted and check MN or FB or something and then I figure oops better get back to the marketing, so it drags on. I can never sit and focus on it for very long.

Fetchez I wish there was an end in sight - it's ongoing really. There's no deadline, I'm just doing it until I can make enough money writing/find a well-paying, local, PT journalism job (hahahahaha!!! ) Then I'll drop it like a hot potato, hopefully.