http://dailytri.wordpress.com/2007/07/26/creative-relations/

I’m a great advocate of psychosynthesis, so when I hear “procrastination voices” I never think of them as saboteurs. I welcome them, figure out what they’re trying to do for me and thank them. The process doesn’t have to take long at all. It’s mainly becoming aware of the conflict and reassuring the “procrastination voice” that it’s needs will be taken care of in due time. It’s like making a list of all the things you have to do so you don’t have to carry them around in your head, ruining your focus. As I understand it, that’s what Fiore was getting at in the Now Habit.

I’d say, “trust yourself — and, know what part of yourself you’re listening to.”

I agree with Ed and Mary, that giving ourselves permission to unhook from time to time is necessary. But learning to head these inner saboteurs off at the pass is, I believe, essential to working consciously and letting your work be a part of your path of growth.

I also do something similar to Mary’s “zen” time, where I have a practice that helps me get centered, focused, and clear on where I need to go each day. It’s invaluable.

And like you’re saying, Josh, knowing yourself, your tendencies, and what ultimately works for you is a huge part of the puzzle. (And Josh, welcome to Monk at Work!)

Ultimately, I’m not advocating a “slave-driver” approach to productivity, of course. I’m simply saying that there’s more to having the work-flow you want than strategy; knowing how to not get derailed by procrastination voices (and all the others that throw us off our focus) is key.

Yes, I do my best to live it – but, being human, some days I don’t get much done – crossing the line into sheer non-productivity. And, you know what? Somehow it all works out. What I really need to accomplish somehow always happens.

Figuring out how to enjoy the process is key. You are always going to have do some things you don’t like – the trick is seeing how it all fits together to enable a better quality of life. (I really don’t need to note that “better quality” isn’t the same as “more money”, do I?)

Apparently Scoble said,“[Freeing up your life to do what you love, when you want] sounds great, but I know there’s no way I could do it. I couldn’t control my impulses like that.” That statement reminds me of Neil Fiore’s “The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play.” As I recall, the basic idea is when we procrastinate it’s because part of us wants to enjoy life now. So allow plenty of time in your schedule for activities you love. So if you’re checking your e-mail a gazillion times a day the question is “Are you enjoying it? Is there something that would give you more pleasure?” That doesn’t mean you don’t do something for the future’s sake, it just means you don’t sacrifice the present to do it. My strategy is to try to figure out how to enjoy the process. One of my favorite quotes is Earnie Larson’s “There are few things more wonderful than knowing where you want to go and being on the path to getting there.”