Ten minutes to write. Less time to read.

The hardest thing I do every day is sit down and begin. And since this activity occurs several times throughout the day, it is always a challenge.

Sit down and begin means to focus on the task at hand and move all other issues to the side. Whether it’s getting out of bed at a certain time or spending an hour practicing piano, I’m not good at it. Never have been.

Take waking up each morning. My mind, which is on full alert, wanders around its universe while my body stays snuggly in place, resisting anything resembling a vertical position. Finally, I arise, but it is with great difficulty and two jolts of caffeine.

Then, if I’m not careful, I can spend an entire day puttering, rearranging this book and that, rereading the newspaper, and checking email. I can play with my hairstyle, redo my nails, and plump the pillows that huddle on my bed. But this isn’t really productive.

What I need to do instead is focus on something I want to achieve, something I want to have finished by day’s end. To do this requires constant guard. If I’m getting up, I can’t rationalize reasons why I shouldn’t. If I’m settling in to write, I can’t answer the telephone. If I’m analyzing data, I can’t be distracted by music in the background.

I don’t know if others have this dysfunctional problem; so if there is anyone else out there, then please let me know how you cope. I could be so much more productive if I didn’t have to force myself to sit down and begin.