sitting down to write is hard but I do it because it gets me what I want.
writing is like running. even for people who love to run the first 10 minutes of the run might suck.
but, by continuing to run, they find their rhythm, they get into their zone, and like Forrest Gump they can just run and run forever from there.
writing I find is the same way. getting myself into the flow of writing can be more painful than the wounds I get trying to cut Kat’s claws.
But, once I’m in the flow, it’s an amazing feeling from there.
Also, because it’s hard to get started, like running, it’s also easy to skip out.
it’s easy to find excuses to skip your run and the same is true with writing. it’s easy to find reasons to avoid that initial part that sucks before you get in your flow.
so, an important part of writing, like running is to create the structure to Just Do It! to discipline yourself to sit and create the habit to get in the flow
it’s like Stephen Pressfield created the voice for all writers when he talked about resistance and the importance of routine to get in the flow.
to just sit. bum in the chair. and write. and do it whether it flows or not, it’s doing it that makes it flow.
there’s no easy way to do that. it’s like reminding yourself you really oughta run. if you want to resist it, how do you enforce it?
the key is to remind yourself of what you get from doing it and also ways to discipline yourself to do it – something I do for my clients and my trainers do for me.
but even that’s not enough when it’s time to sit you need more than other peoples reminders. you need tools right in front of you.
like for me, in front of me is a sign that says – FULL ABSORPTION – reminding me to become fully absorbed in my writing. and in my calendar, every morning, 8.00am, an alert pops up – START THE DAY WRITE!
What reminders can you use to help you keep doing what’s hard in getting what you want?