Hi all,
I read something the other day where they were talking about the importance of just showing up. This doesn’t have to be just about writing even though it is quite true for writing too. It is about most everything you want to do that is worth accomplishing.
I’ll use writing as an example because it applies to my life, but I want to make it clear that this isn’t a just a blog for writers. I’m writing to anyone interested in bettering their lives. I started writing a zombies series not too long ago. I finished the first draft of the first book and have it with one of my beta readers now. I’ve been thinking about the second book but haven’t really gotten around to writing. I can use the excuse that there were just too many things going on in my life at the time. That is true, but it’s one of those statements that could always be true.
The truth is that I just wasn’t taking the time to sit down and start the book. I would sit down at my computer and do a lot of other things, but I just wasn’t getting around to starting the book.
I was avoiding it, and I was quite frustrated and unhappy because I knew I was avoiding it. I still haven’t figured out the reason for my avoidance, but I did get over it.
I decided that I needed to open up a fresh Word document, sit at my desk and just write something. That sounds like a simple solution and it is really, but I just wasn’t doing it. Sometimes you need to disconnect your computer from the internet so you can stay focused. I was sitting down at my computer everyday, but wasn’t really showing up to write. I was showing up for Facebook and the millions of blogs I read instead.
Don’t set goals that are too big …
I listen to a lot of personal development podcasts and on one they talked about an approach someone has to help people start exercising regularly. I don’t remember who it was, but if you’ve heard of this let me knew in the comments. This person encourages their clients to start exercise in the smallest steps to ingrain the habit in them. They start out by having their client just stand on a treadmill for a few minutes everyday. They do that for a while and then the client is asked to walk on the treadmill. They build up to longer more vigorous exercise.
The reason I’m telling you this is because there are some people who think of things as being all or nothing. They go on a diet, but they slip up once and then the whole thing is blown. Why not pig out since I already had a milkshake today? That’s not the way it needs to be though. Sometimes you need to work up to something. You might start with a smaller step like standing on the treadmill for a few minutes everyday or like by bringing a healthy lunch to work instead of eating out.
If you’re trying to write a novel, but you’re having a hard time getting started, don’t start with a goal like writing a chapter everyday. Instead start with a simpler goal like writing a paragraph everyday. Just showing up everyday to write that paragraph will start the ball rolling as they say.
Take baby steps …
Moving in the direction of your goal is important, but if moving in big steps is so intimidating that it’s keeping you from getting started try baby steps. Baby steps can still get you going in the right direction.
Another good thing about making your goals to get started so small is that you’re guaranteed to reach them. I used to make giant goals for myself all the time and when I didn’t reach them I felt depressed and worthless. That’s not a good feeling and it definitely doesn’t do anything to get my motivated to continue.
With tiny goals, you’ll probably be able to accomplish more than the original goal. That means that instead of feeling terrible about yourself you’ll feel pretty darn good. That good feeling will give you motivation to do even more. Then that ball will start rolling and before you know it you’ll be halfway toward you goal.
So start with the simple things first – Show up and then take it one baby step at a time.
Lovelyn