Yeah, I know it's Sunday (soon to be Monday, actually). But it's been that kind of week. Starting out with an extra hour last Sunday was blissful, but I could have used at least 25 hours every day this week, and then maybe, just maybe, I might be on track. This week's Write On Wednesday topic focused on this thought:
The outcome of the election is a good reminder of the way dreams come true. But geting there involves not only the courage to embark on the project, but the strength to stay the course when the going gets rough. How are you doing with staying the course toward the fulfillment of your writing dreams?
In my work life, I've become quite good at completing big projects. My office job requires multi-tasking on numerous levels, and I've learned to keep a daily list of the things that need to get done, and calendar deadlines for future project due dates.
At work, I know I must stay the course - other people and our business depend on me.
In my musical life, I developed a method to see me through the long weeks leading up to concert time. Early on in my "performing" career, I learned that I needed to feel extremely well prepared to forestall those performance anxiety attacks that lead to jittery failures on stage. So I made sure I practiced a lot, practiced so much that my body could do the work required even if my mind went into nervous overdrive. I worked hard so that I felt confident, and so that my "muscle memory" could take over onstage if my nerve should momentarily fail me.
In my writing life, things are a bit different. I find it easier to "slip off course" because (1) there are no deadlines looming; and (2) no one is depending on me to deliver a finished project. So my writing dreams get put on the back burner in deference to other responsibilities which take priority.
The conclusions here are quite obvious, aren't they? In order to "stay the course" and complete tasks to my satisfaction, I need the impetus of deadlines and personal accountability to others. So how do I find those in my writing life?
Blogging provides a certain amount of accountability - many times I've been tempted to throw in the towel on this writing habit, but my blogs and the people I've come to consider my friends in this arena hold me accountable. This week's Write On Wednesday was a good example. In the crush of election excitement, work deadlines, and preparing for a trip out of town, Wednesday was gone before I knew it. So skip it, I told myself...who cares?
Well, Bobbi, and Oh, and Corri...people who emailed me or posted about missing this weekly place to talk about writing and explore the way creativity works in their lives.
So perhaps staying the course is grounded in the perceived value of the task-not just to the individual involved, but to the community at large.
So thanks for keeping me on task and helping me continue along the road to achieving those writing dreams.