Organization

Outlining, drawing maps, creating timelines, organizing notes, diagramming political structures, and so on, can be massively helpful in sorting out plot and character problems.

Or they can be a displacement activity.

I defy anybody to be able to tell the difference, until afterward.

If you keep telling yourself not to do it because it's a displacement activity, though, odds are good it's exactly what you need to do; while if doing it leaves you with a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day, odds are good it's substituting for actual work.

But what if you get both? Hmmmm....

All generalizations are false. Just do the best you can.