Staring at the Brick Wall
I have hit a brick wall. I haven’t posted in two weeks…or has it been longer? So I do apologize for being absent. Unlike some writers, I’m not stuck for ideas. Or ability. Or skill level. It’s just plain poor time management.
In Victoria Schmidt’s book, a self help book for the miserably time challenged (Book In A Month), she identifies several self defeating thoughts. The one that I identified most was “I feel like I have no control over my time and how I spend it; writing is always pushed to the wayside.” I don’t blame anyone but myself.
Here are some strategies that I am employing to see if I can get over the brick wall:
1. I started blogging to see if just the act of writing daily would morph into writing more substantive material. Result: It turns out I like blogging, but as you can tell by the last two weeks, I haven’t had much time. Results: Blogging keeps me sane and as focused as I’ve ever been.
2. I have been searching for a writing buddy. I’m not thinking about writing collaboratively, just someone to talk about writing, critiquing each other’s works, and to keep me from sliding into the nonwriting abyss. Results: The first three people whom I approached wanted to be a writing buddy, but time management got in their way. A little disappointed, I figured it was better to know early in the game than later…and if they have more time issues than I do, how was I to ever improve? I have a new writing buddy. I am ever hopeful that this will be the one that helps me push through my writing dormancy.
3. I have set deadlines for small assignments. Results: These have come and gone…and another deadline for a short story at the end of this month looks like more of the same.
4. I have daily to-do lists. I have started listing writing at the top of the list instead at the bottom as an afterthought.
5. In my spare time, I am always reading. Results: I’m enjoying the reading. Am I more a spectator when it comes to writing?
6. I’ve mapped out every hour of my day to see where I could be amiss. The last two weeks I was sidetracked by the Olympics and now the political conventions are full steam ahead. Results: No excuses. I shouldn’t have given television a priority over my time with the computer.
7. Part of my problem may lie in the fact that I am working in front of a computer 8 hours a day. I try not to hop back on the computer right after dinner. I get a little exercise and then write. Results: Obviously, this area could use some improvement. Is my job the large elephant in the room? Would I be more productive, if the best energy hours of the day were open to personal writing? Do I have to wait until retirement, because I’m too undisciplined to make any progress?
8. I am trying to say “NO” to people, but I often slip up. Results: When I do say no, which cuts down the level of noise that runs through my head, I am able to sit and write and enjoy myself.
Anyone have any suggestions that I can employ? Giving up my day job is not one of them.
Btw, writing is a great cheap form of therapy. Try it. I understand that writing also aids good health.
Tags: brick wall, strategies to overcome lack of discipline, writing, writing buddy