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Stuck in the Fog of Wanting to Write
We can easily be stuck in the fog of having a message to share and not knowing how. This was the imperfect writing process that I went through...
Your path may look very different than mine. I am still finding my way, learning, and on a journey of discovery. I am guessing that there will always be something new for me to learn. (Which I find exciting.)
I find value in seeing how other people have started something new and difficult. So here is the path through the fog that I took to get some clarity on my writing. I hope that it will inspire you as you navigate the fog.
a few steps I took as a beginning writer:
#1. I choose to believe in Abundance.
The mindset of Abundance looks like living with an open hand. Knowing that ideas, things you need, and people who will help you, will come into your life when you need them.
It can be easy to get sucked into a scarcity mentality. This looks like rushing, feeling behind, in a hurry because someone else will take your ideas, and being in competition with other writers.
Don’t get sucked into that trap. We can all be part of the conversation. There is plenty of space for each of us to share.
“You can resist the seductions of grandiosity, blame and shame. You can support other people in their creative efforts, acknowledging the truth that there’s plenty of room for everyone.”
–Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
“[I did] the difficult task of writing a whole book. I said what I wanted to say when I wanted to say it. If other people say it, too, then that affirms the significance of the work. Everyone wins.”
#2. I learned about Productivity & GTD
Being productive is not about having a task list that is a million miles long and doing all the things. It is about doing the tasks that are most important to me that day. No one wants to waste time driving in the fog in the wrong direction. I see productivity as a way to get to where I want to go in the best way possible.
“I am prone to getting distracted by the most glittering and glamorous thing in front of me, especially if it’s ‘warm and fresh’- whether doughnuts, e-mails, or ideas.”
– David Allen: Making It All Work & GTD by David Allen
“We are all looking to contribute at our highest point of contribution. The right thing, the right way, at the right time. Trade-offs are real and decisions should be made strategically and thoughtfully.”
“A choice is an action, not just something we have but something we DO.”
#3. I embraced being a writer.
I was afraid to call myself a writer. To pick this scary road without seeing ahead into the fog. It may seem intimidating to become a writer. But we all need to embrace writing if we want to share the message that we have.
Do you enjoy communicating with others? A key piece of that is quality writing.
Do you have a message that you want to share? Writing is the vehicle to get that message to where it needs to go.
Honing your writing skills does not mean that you have to lock yourself in a secluded cabin and write a giant 500-page novel. Writing can take many forms. It could be a thoughtful Substack note or a short Instagram post. It could be an article written. Outlines and notes to a speech. The format of what to discuss on a YouTube video. Or it could be a few paragraphs shared in an online forum.
“Writing is a habit, not an art. …we have to overcome what holds us back from being writers: a combination of fear, lethargy, and a lack of confidence or knowledge (or both).”
#4. Capture All Ideas & Inspiration
I created a simple and straight-forward capture system for any ideas that I come across. I had to test what different ways would work for me (or not work). But now I have a system that I am happy with for grabbing ideas when they hit me and writing them down to deal with later. (If you want details see this post.) I use Evernote and a system of digital notebooks to organize my work in progress.
“…Capture, Organize, Develop, Share. This lifecycle of writing defines a standard workflow.”
“The exact shape of the publication is completely undefined at this point, but the desire is to avoid losing the insight altogether.”
Writing Workflow– Mark Seaman
I hope that you can find your way out of the fog. You might have to take the scenic route (like I did). But I hope that you find a shortcut to productivity and moving forward.
Making progress in writing is hard, but it is so worth it!
What would be a helpful step for you to take in your writing life?
I enjoy gathering ideas from other people doing similar things. I can apply their approach to my own process.
[ I collect ideas and tips like an 80-year-old collects trinkets! 🙂]
So please share with me what is working for you!
What practices keep you going?
What helps you move forward as a writer?
📝💻Keep writing! - April
Photo from: Jason Paige & Unsplash
