It's never fun setting out to do something, then looking back to see a gap of several months that you have not kept your commitment. But what brings the fun back is going back to those abandoned projects, picking up the loose ends and continuing the progress you started all that long time ago. It can be embarrassing. The weight of a second impending failure or abandonment seems more real than actually completing the project.
But it's time to say "enough" to these ugly trolls of ridicule and pick up that pen again and march on toward your original goal of completing that novel, posting regularly on that blog, or keeping your social media updated (all areas where I have struggled too, just look at the last time I posted). But we can let these past failures keep us down, or we can look them in the eye and say, "You've had your fun. It's time to overcome."
Last Wednesday I renewed my commitment to finish my first book. I've been putting in an effort for almost two years. I've tried all those wonderful tricks, such as telling the world your deadline to finish so that you will be driven to complete your book instead of embarrassing yourself by having to retract your statement. I have done that one--twice! And been embarrassed both times. Now if that's not enough to want to hide in the dark.... I've also started this blog in the attempt to inspire myself and others (and keep myself accountable) by posting of my progress every day. But it's embarrassing to keep writing, "I got nothing done today." So I eventually left off of that.
So what made me face all my embarrassing failures from the past two years and dare to commit again? Money. Value, really. Because money represents the amount of value we give to something. I have given myself an ultimatum: to make a living off of writing, which I keep saying I do, or to call it quits and make money from a normal job where I will feel suffocated. Either choice is fine to the public. There is no shame in working a suffocating job. And both choices will bring in money. So it's up to me how I want to make a living. I value my writing, but I want to see that others do too. I want to see I'm helping someone and making their lives better by what I write. For me the best way to tell myself my writing has value is to make my living from it. So there is no turning back this time.
Do you ever struggle with finding motivation in what you want to do the most in life? Do people tell you "Well maybe you don't want it enough"? Do you want to put yourself or your art out there but are just too afraid you're going to fail or that no one will buy it? I would love to hear from you in the comments below. I know how that feels and how long and difficult the road to motivation can be. Together we can do this. We are meant to conquer and to thrive in abundance. We are meant to be great.
But it's time to say "enough" to these ugly trolls of ridicule and pick up that pen again and march on toward your original goal of completing that novel, posting regularly on that blog, or keeping your social media updated (all areas where I have struggled too, just look at the last time I posted). But we can let these past failures keep us down, or we can look them in the eye and say, "You've had your fun. It's time to overcome."
Last Wednesday I renewed my commitment to finish my first book. I've been putting in an effort for almost two years. I've tried all those wonderful tricks, such as telling the world your deadline to finish so that you will be driven to complete your book instead of embarrassing yourself by having to retract your statement. I have done that one--twice! And been embarrassed both times. Now if that's not enough to want to hide in the dark.... I've also started this blog in the attempt to inspire myself and others (and keep myself accountable) by posting of my progress every day. But it's embarrassing to keep writing, "I got nothing done today." So I eventually left off of that.
So what made me face all my embarrassing failures from the past two years and dare to commit again? Money. Value, really. Because money represents the amount of value we give to something. I have given myself an ultimatum: to make a living off of writing, which I keep saying I do, or to call it quits and make money from a normal job where I will feel suffocated. Either choice is fine to the public. There is no shame in working a suffocating job. And both choices will bring in money. So it's up to me how I want to make a living. I value my writing, but I want to see that others do too. I want to see I'm helping someone and making their lives better by what I write. For me the best way to tell myself my writing has value is to make my living from it. So there is no turning back this time.
Do you ever struggle with finding motivation in what you want to do the most in life? Do people tell you "Well maybe you don't want it enough"? Do you want to put yourself or your art out there but are just too afraid you're going to fail or that no one will buy it? I would love to hear from you in the comments below. I know how that feels and how long and difficult the road to motivation can be. Together we can do this. We are meant to conquer and to thrive in abundance. We are meant to be great.
