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Friday, June 7, 2013

WHEN LIFE GETS IN THE WAY



In the past two days, I have worked 25 hours ...

And as you might expect, there has been precious LITTLE time for me to write.

HAS LIFE EVER GOTTEN IN THE WAY OF YOUR DREAMS?


“That's what happens to dreams, life gets in the way.”    ― Jodi Picoult, Handle With Care

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.
As a young man, Arnold decided to get up 30 minutes earlier than he wanted and to study for an entire year a subject he wanted to know better.
I decided to do that as well.  It works for me even in this harsh, time-draining job of mine.  I get up 15 minutes early and stay up 15 minutes later to get in a little writing.
Sometimes life insists on her way, and I let her ... for a day or two.  But then, I fall back into the pattern again.


A young man was told by his physician that because of his neuro-muscular disease, he would only be 70% all his days.  He grew depressed.  He sat channel surfing and came upon Arnold in PREDATOR.
He thought to himself:
"70% of Arnold?  Why not?"
  And so began his long, grueling days of physical training.  He now looks like a lean tiger and moves more graceful than before the diagnosis.
There is a path if we but look for it.

We bloggers are better writers for we know we are not alone.


 All of this is too general?
How can we write when there is so much pressing in on us?

1. Pinpoint Underlying Issues.

If you've always wanted to write and aren't doing it, invest some thought in figuring out the source of your writer's block. Is it a fear of failure, a longstanding tendency to procrastinate, or something as simple as a lack of writing space?
Find the flaw -- then, map out a plan to deal with it.

2. Just Say "No."

Time is limited, and for most people, the demands on their time are unlimited.
Once you've determined what you want to say yes to, the ability to say no becomes an important muscle to build.
While your writing time should not be the most important thing in your life, it should give way only for the more important things in your life.


3. Schedule Time to Write.

It's not glamorous or exciting to adhere to a schedule, but it really does help.
If you work full-time, it may actually be easier to establish a regular time each day in which to write.
Get up early and write before you leave the house, take a notepad with you to lunch, or stop off at a coffee shop on your way home.
 4. Resist the Impulse to Overdo It.
If you're the kind of person who tends to throw yourself into a new project only to burn out after a week or two,
consider giving yourself stop times for writing.

5. Know That It Won't Always Be Easy.

You may be more tired at the end of the day.
Some social obligations might get pushed aside.
Your family might have to pitch in.
Decide what you're willing to sacrifice for a few hours a week dedicated to writing.
Most of us have obligations we can't avoid, but if you're determined, you can manage both.
At the same time, be content with whatever you can realistically give to your writing. Even an hour a day adds up over time.


What do you do when life presses in on you?
How do you cope with
lack of time's
strangle-hold on your
writing?




7 comments:

  1. If you want to write, you just make the time. When I'm writing, I devote two to four hours every night no matter what.

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  2. Life is always in the way... I used to have four hour saturdays... and a goal of 2500 words... it worked for several years until i found out my ex-wife was stepping out on me those days... we were two types of tired at the end of those four hours.

    sad, but true...

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  3. Completely understand, Roland, and sympathize. Your job's a demanding one, but it's so critical to so many, I admire you for putting others above self. Life's demanding but so are the rewards for hard work. If anyone's deserving, you are!

    Do what you can when you can and this will shake out.

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  4. Alex:
    2 to 4 hours a night? You consistantly amaze me. :-)

    Jeremy:
    So sorry your ex-wife eroded her soul in that fashion. May your future be filled with happier surprises and people.

    Kittie:
    Yes, I will do what David did against Goliath -- use what he had to do the best he could -- with The Father's help. :-) Good seeing you here again!

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  5. it's a book in itself... i have never recovered from this, though my new beautiful wife... she is the tops... though sadly no solid writing since then.

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  6. If I can't find the time or the focus to do actual writing, I at least make notes. I write down conversations, scenes, new ideas, questions, etc.

    Good advice!

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  7. Jeremy:
    Perhaps you associate dedicated writing to the destruction of your first marriage and are unconsciously pulling back from determined writing? May your life hold healing from this day on!

    Words Crafter:
    Good ideas! :-)

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