Did you just spend the last week making New Years goals to write a book—or maybe two? Then take it to the top of the bestseller list, all while doing more exercise, keeping in touch with old friends, and eating homemade healthy meals every night.
I did. And then I had a revelation. Maybe instead of trying to start off my New Year’s with a bang, I should take it as a time for reflection. A time to recover, mentally, physically and creatively, from all the craziness of the holiday season. Not to mention the world news.
There is a wonderful myth that after the holiday season we will rebound with instant momentum, recharged and ready for action. How many advertisements have you seen in the past few weeks telling you that now is the time to get that gym membership, start that diet, take on the world, and become a new you!
What if the old you isn’t so bad after all?
Sometimes the goal mentality may kill creativity instead of sparking it.
Let’s try something new instead. Instead of making goals, let’s look at taking small baby steps; focus on showing up instead of worrying about output. Try focusing on what you are writing without worrying about word counts and deadlines. Yes, deadlines are helpful. I’ve always found them very motivational. But yesterday I decided that my new book should be finished by March. Then I did the math. That would mean I’d need to write three chapters a week. Could I do it? Maybe. If I neglected everything else in my life and didn’t worry about the quality of my writing, only the number of words.
That’s when I decided to adjust my goal. The world won’t end if my book isn’t finished until May or June. And I probably won’t feel like a limp dishrag when it is finished.
So let go of shame-based motivation and stop punishing ourselves for not finishing everything everyone else thinks we should. Sure we are going to miss some writing days, but that doesn’t mean we have failed. Let’s build a writing schedule that survives real life. That acknowledges that we have laundry waiting, kids to transport to soccer, elderly parents who need to be taken to the doctor, and all of lifes other little emergencies.
And remember taking time read, daydream, and relax are an important part of your writing life, too.