Do I Even Like to Write?

Writing is weird. I think about writing every day. Mostly in that I'm telling myself that I should be writing. But I'm not.

Instead I am organizing, clutter clearing, looking up recipes, coming up with endless lists of creative ideas for work and my personal life. Basically, I'm doing anything other than writing. But you know what I'm doing while I'm doing each of these activities, thinking about writing. It's pretty mentally exhausting.

After spinning in mental circles day after day, I have to ask myself honestly, do I even like to write? I think I do. I would love to have more confidence when I say that. Let me clarify. 

I know I like to tell stories. That is my talent. Whether through talking, acting, writing, video, photos, I know I can communicate a story. I like to make people laugh. And I like to share ideas to help people improve their lives. 

The thing about writing (or acting, or photography etc.) that is so challenging, is there is always more you can do, your creation can always be better. Always. This gets me stuck. "I can't do this or that until I know or have this or that....". There is a constant road block, every day. There is always something else I think I need to really understand, or have completed, or have together before I start to write something. The thing is, if I wait to communicate until I have it all together, it will never happen. 

So how can I ever finalize anything? I can't speak for others but I personally need to look at everything I create as a work in progress. Even if it's not perfect, I need to start to share it, so I can make the next piece better. I also need to remind myself that what I am creating is not for everyone and that does not matter. If there is one person who finds it helpful, useful or interesting, then I have done what I need to do. I am not communicating with everyone. I'm communicating with someone. That perfect someone who will receive the information I created, just at the perfect time when they need it.

That's really what it is about. Being authentic, sharing my creativity, no matter what, no matter where I am, so the message can be heard by whoever needs it at that moment. Even though I know this, doing what I love and doing what I want to do is often painful because I would truly rather be doing anything else at the moment. It's the reward, the feeling after I've followed through and completed a piece of writing or any other creative project that makes me feel good and accomplished (if only for a minute or two).

I am not a great writer but I am a story teller. I will continue to tell my stories in any way I can because that is what I do. That is all that I can do. If you can relate to what I'm saying then I have a recommendation for you, a must read if you haven't already read it: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

How to Embrace Procrastination

Yep...some days are just like this. I've got a lot to do today, that must be why I spent the morning making home made granola. A fabulous result for procrastinating if I must say so myself. The way I look at it is if I'm going to put work on the back burner it makes sense to create something else that's good or needed in the process. What I've realized is that procrastination is often an opportunity. I'm forced to put my energy towards other things I often avoid (i.e. cleaning, organizing, tedious projects). Sometimes the only way I am motivated to take on and complete these tasks is when I am working so hard to avoid another. 

I recommend the next time you are procrastinating to embrace it fully. Accept that you are choosing to not do something and don't regret it. Dive into what you are going to do with all of your heart and creativity. At least you will have created something great when you go back to doing the task you originally wanted to complete. It's wasteful to spend your time feeling guilty for not working on something you should be. Release the guilt and get something done (clean the house, organize the office, paint the dresser, start a novel, learn photography). Often times the very act of not focusing on what you should be doing allows you to release some of the pressure of the original task, so when you go to tackle it you are refreshed and it's easier to complete.

The one thing I do recommend is to give yourself a hard deadline on when you will stop procrastinating, so you can start on the project you want to focus on. Until that time comes, have fun creating whatever other awesome idea procrastination brings out in you guilt free. Now go create...

How do embrace procrastination? Share your techniques below. 

Create the life you want

You create your life, do not forget this. Anytime fear arises because your life is not going the way that you want, remember that you are in charge.

You create your life, no matter what situation you are in or where you are at in your life, you and only you have the power to change it.