I get that there is a world outside of writing, in spite of the fact that I write professional. I, too, was once that high school and college student with looming deadlines and 5-page book reports. I even wrote a thesis that now sits somewhere in the depths of my alma mater’s library. Even when I have assignments scheduled ahead of time, I find myself creating excuses for not writing.

Being a freelance writer, I’m often my own worst enemy when it comes to getting projects done on time. In this blog we’ll discuss some of the top excuses for not working as well as how to overcome them.

Top 5 Excuses for Not Writing

Here are five common excuses for not writing that many writers like myself fall back on.

1. I Work Better With a Deadline

You’re giving me the weekend to do my assignment? No problem! I’ll definitely get it done ahead of time so I’m not stressing out at the last minute. However, with so many distractions, it can be difficult to be productive while working from home.

If, like me, you find that you work better with a deadline, then set one for yourself that’s ahead of your actual deadline. If your project is open-ended, then set a deadline to ensure it gets finished.

2. I Do My Best Writing Work Last Minute

This isn’t always true. When you’re rushing to finish a writing project, it’s easy to make mistakes in grammar and spelling. You might even be tempted to skip the all-important proofreading process. While you might be impressed with the quality of the content you put out under pressure, is it really worth your stress and sanity to use this excuse for not writing it earlier? Will you still have your job at the end of the day if there are glaring mistakes?

You might consider setting an earlier deadline for yourself so you can finish your work and look it over before publishing it.

3. I Don’t Know Enough About My Writing Topic

If you don’t feel confident enough writing about a particular topic, then it’s time to do some research rather than use it as an excuse. Technological advancements make it easy to do this from home, but if you don’t have the right writing supplies at home, then head to your local library.

If you’re working for a client, reach out and ask for more information so you can write a well-informed piece.

4. I’ll Just Check My Social Media Profile First

Social media is great for staying in contact with friends and family, and it’s a fantastic way to promote your blog or business. But if it’s one of your excuses for not writing, it might be time to set some restrictions for its use. Many companies forbid the access of social media during work hours. If you work from home, you might consider doing the same.

You could also use social media as a reward – you get to check your social media feed for 15 minutes or only after writing two articles. Set an attainable goal.

5. I’m Too Busy

Life gets busy. I get it. My final semester of college seemed like I had no time to myself between teaching two different classes, collecting data for my thesis, attending classes and enjoying my personal life. I still had to find time to write my thesis to meet my graduation goal on top of all of that. Now I have three little kids.

Life is always going to be busy to some extent. There definitely will be moments when you absolutely can’t find the time to write, but if you want to make writing a priority, you might just have to schedule it in. If you think you don’t have the time to write, then make the time.

No Real Excuse For Not Writing

If you’ve been using any of these excuses to put off your writing project, it’s time to re-evaluate. There really are no good excuses for not writing, and you can overcome them by bumping up your deadlines, doing a little research or just penciling in some writing time in your calendar. What excuses do you often hear for not writing? What tips do you have for overcoming these writing challenges? Share your ideas in the comments!