I had an interesting experience last weekend. I had all the good intentions of working diligently on editing my book. But as Saturday’s hours seemed to fly by, I was finding “more important” things to do. As a result I got nothing done on my book.

Sunday came along and I re-affirmed my intentions to “work all day” on the book. However, I started to veer off on the “more important things” path. I decided to investigate what was going on

Using the IFS process, I discovered a part that was deathly afraid of judgement and criticism. It knew that my editing this book would lead people to read it and e decide it was horrible and therefore I was horrible (that’s the route that shame takes – if you do a bad thing, you are bad, not just the thing).

I reassured the part that we weren’t at that stage yet. That this was just fixing things up the first time and we were a long way from anyone reading the book. It breathed a sigh of relief. Then I added to it by reminding it (the scared part) that we’d been through this process before and we survived without anything bad happening. That fact also reassured it.

I could have just gone on procrastinating or somehow forced myself to get some work done. But using this method I ended up having the most productive day of my writing life as far as editing is concerned.

When you find yourself avoiding or stopping something, take a look at what’s going on in your mind to see if there’s a part of you that’s harboring fear – fear of being judged or criticized. If there is something in you that say “yes”, don’t be judgmental or criticize that part (doing the thing it fears) and don’t become impatient with it (or with yourself if you still don’t believe the parts theory). Be gentle, kind and understanding. It will make all the difference in the world, Especially if you thank that procrastinating part for protecting you all these years. It will relax and you may even feel it relax.

Try it.