January 29, 2007 @ 9:07 am | Filed under: Uniquely Me
"When you come to the edge 
of all the light you have known,
and are about to step off
into the darkness of the unknown,
Faith is knowing
one of two things will happen.
There will be something solid to stand on,
or you will be taught how to fly."
—Anonymous
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I’m absorbed in this quote this morning as I sit at the computer and try my best to put the weekend’s activities behind me, and begin yet another week of writing. It would be nice right about now to be able to lasso the euphoric feelings of this past Friday afternoon. I had reached my weekly word goal and closed the manuscript, knowing I had completed a hard-yet fullfilling-work/writing week.
Nothing has changed between five o’clock on Friday and now - Monday morning - except the need to once again apply pressure that just doesn’t feel so good. Especially on Monday mornings, right? It’s time to dive back into full story mode and…write. Just write. I keep waiting for the "warming up" period of writing to be obselete. But you know what? I think I’m beginning to realize that this apprehension, this hesitancy when I first sit down to the keyboard, is just going to be part of the game plan.
So as I try to rein in my thoughts, corral my emotions, and begin the arduous task of enforcing a huge dose of self-discipline, I’m thinking about the words in this quote. When I begin a story, I have a pretty good idea of the road map the story will ultimately travel. What I don’t know, however, is how it will GET there.
It’s always a faith walk with me, and maybe that’s one of the reasons I feel such uncertainty on some days. I’m relinquishing control, and asking God to once again speak through my words. I learned long ago that giving over that control brings the greatest sense of liberty and productivity. But it still doesn’t make it an easy task, does it?
For me, it means becoming quiet in spirit and in mind. While it’s not always easy getting there, it’s only when I’m enclosed with Him, that I can finally tap into the inspiration I need to get the work accomplished. So - with a Diet Coke in front of me, my manuscript on the screen in front of me, and His truths blazing in my heart - I begin this day.
What about YOU? How do you self-motivate?
What works for YOU?
Self motivate? Sad to admit, but it is usually one of two things, or both depending on the area that needs self motivation. #1. A dead line. A deal line around the corner makes me go into work mode like nobody’s business. #2. The threat of tampering with my GPA. I have worked so hard to keep my GPA up that I just about go into sheer panic at the thought of anything less than perfect. Perfectionism to a fault. Type A personality is not always my friend - but we are pretty close.
Posted on January 29th, 2007 at 11:58 amOh..I have to agree with Rochelle. Dead lines make me get things done. I think i get more things done under pressure than if i have all the time in the world…take for example when we are having company…i can speed clean the house, yet when no one is coming over, it takes me all week.
Posted on January 29th, 2007 at 3:10 pmGood luck with the book this week…you can do it!!!
I think you are both on to something big - deadlines are a great motivator. Maybe that’s why my minimal 1000 words a day is working for me right now. I literally won’t let myself go to bed at night until I have those words. This is still really new to me though - I haven’t done it enough days yet to “form a habit” as Stephen Covey would say. Hopefully soon…
Posted on January 29th, 2007 at 3:45 pmHmmm…setting a goal, aiming for it and the awesome feeling of reaching that goal is what motivates me. I have to admit a little peer pressure is good too. At least when it’s the right kind
Saying “if they can do it,I can do it” motivates me. Plus, I LOOOOVEEE the feeling of finishing a project!!!
What a great blog. You sure are working hard!! I am so proud for you!
Love ya!
Posted on January 29th, 2007 at 9:28 pmDawn, you make me laugh! This, from the woman who leaves me in her dust! YOU, my friend, are the SuperWoman, I’m just the friend trying to keep up! Post pics of your massive snow! Or just send them to me, either way…
I MISS you!!!!
Posted on January 30th, 2007 at 4:55 amCompetition with someone else motivates me. Also if someone is nagging me I try to just get it done so they will be quiet. Deadlines are good too!
Posted on January 30th, 2007 at 8:32 pm