You've often heard the phrase “you are your own worst enemy” – unfortunately those words ring too true for many of us. We allow negativity around us to block our creative thought, we get swept up in our daily stresses and busy lives and we allow our fears and self-doubts to “protect us” by not tempting failure.
Meanwhile there’s an editor calling about a deadline (which only adds to our stress), bills that need to be paid, responsibilities to distract us, perhaps another job that takes our time and life that simply gets in the way. The reputation that we are trying to build as a writer suffers and we reach a point that we throw our hands up in woeful surrender only to eventually regret that we didn’t pursue our dreams.
There’s no doubt about it, being a writer isn’t as easy as some folks make it look, sometimes even, it is almost masochistic. We expose ourselves with each word, we put ourselves in hugely vulnerable positions every time someone reads our work – and then we come back and do it again. Why?
We need to express ourselves – we need to use words to communicate. It doesn’t matter if we are writing fact or fiction, we need to get our stories on paper (or ebook in our modern times). How do we avoid the things that stymie our efforts?
Prioritize: List the things you NEED to do. Don’t let your writing get pushed in the background. Writing may be your job, salvation or hobby – recognize where it belongs and treat it with respect. If you are looking to be a “professional writer” then accept that it is indeed a job and needs the same importance assigned to it even if it a “second” job. Under the topic of writing, list assignments and due dates – meeting your deadlines will help to eliminate stress and keep your editors happy. Don’t be afraid to set your own deadlines for works-in-progress and such, just be sure to keep them realistic. Speaking of realistic, learn to recognize your limits and don’t take on over whelming amounts of work you have no way of truly getting to.
Respect: You are a writer, accept it – and demand that the others around you who may expect your time accept it as well. If you are working/writing from home, create a work space – when you are in that space, you are IN YOUR OFFICE – you are NOT home to do laundry, dishes, watch TV… Make sure that your family, those you live with, learn to recognize that space as your place of business. Caller ID and answering machines will go a long way in helping you stay at work and don’t be afraid to tell someone that you are working and will get back to them later. Many who work-at-home find that the outside world sees you as a convenient child care drop off, delivery recipient or errand/messenger “boy” – PROTEST LOUDLY. Emergencies are one thing, otherwise, just say NO.
Mind Control: Learn to take deep breaths and clear your mind. Everyone has stress in their lives, don’t let it control you. Practice, whether you are at work or not, focusing on what is before you. Many of our daily stresses are either out of our control or must be dealt with in their OWN time – that is your key how to clear your mind for the tasks that need your attention NOW. In the same way you have to wait to be done with work for the day to “go home” and do laundry, wait until you are done with work to deal with other facets of your life. While you may have found a way to prioritize your life on paper, tell your mind to prioritize as well.
Some writers use music, others a scent, comfort food, photos, special clothing… like Pavla's dog, we can condition ourselves. Find your control, what makes you think about writing, what frees your creativity?
Use self-empowerment words and chants – paste encouraging poetry on your work wall. Tell yourself “I can do this”. Don’t allow anyone, including yourself, to tell you that you aren’t good enough. Remember that the only way to really fail is to not try in the first place.
Writing exercise: Using a timer if necessary, give yourself one hour to write – write as many words as you can on ANY topic. Don’t worry about spelling or final edits, just write. You can choose any topic. Whether you write one hundred words or five-hundred, you have accomplished. Feel the accomplishment.
Writing prompt: Write down the first five obstacles you can think of to your writing (ie: time, kids, lack of writing space, interruptions, anger). Now play “Dear Abby” and, in letter form, tell your reader how to cope and work around those obstacles – remember it is always easier to give advice than to take it.
