Kick Your Butt into Action

Last week, my schedule contained too many appointments not related to writing work. So I planned to work whenever I had the chance to be at my desk… at least, that was what I told myself. Myself decided to rebel.

Unmotivated. Uninspired. Un-everything. I couldn’t and wouldn’t budge. I spent this time clicking “Check e-mail” and guilt-tripping myself.

Don’t you hate days like this? You want to work, but your writing fingers and brain just won’t tune in. It isn’t a case of writer’s block… more of a writer’s body refuses to do anything productive.

Unless you’re fortunate to have a partner or underlings, writing is a solitary business. My dog has no desire to motivate me, so I’m stuck being my own cheerleader. Rah rah turns into blah blah. “Cut it out,” I think to myself.

“Nuh uh,” myself responded like a stubborn toddler.

The first thing I did was agree not to work on one of the client assignments. Whenever I decided to work on this assignment for the day, it tended to make me freeze and this affected all other clients because I told myself I would do that assignment.

OK, well, I needed to work… so assignment removed from task. Barrier removed and myself cooperated and started working. Obviously, I should drop this assignment, but for various reasons… I can’t.

This situation meant removing a barrier. Other situations may call for something else. What could that be? How do you deal with days like this?

I asked Twitterers this question and got nice responses:

“Push through by doing brain stimulus things that will get my brain flowing on ideas and material. I watch Christian videos on TBN through their video portal. Also, read articles similar to my book’s topic. Another thing that I do is play word games such as WordTwist or Scramble online via FB.” Kim Beasley

“Wait until Monday? I’m kind of joking, but, honestly trying to work when my heart and mind aren’t in it is usually a waste.” Keith Robinson

“I don’t do it unless it’s a matter of life and death, i.e. too important.” Moshin Naqi

“Go outside, read something awesome, talk on the phone with someone who makes me laugh, then try again.” Chelle Parmele

“Take a nice walk and don’t think about anything but breathing.” Virginia DeBolt

Inspirational quotes on not giving up.

Tags: writer Subscribe:

RSS or

E-mail

10 comments

Posted by: Chelle Parmele on April 21st, 2008, 2:25 PM
I should take my own advice! I’ve had the same blank post page open for three hours now.
Posted by: Meryl on April 21st, 2008, 2:36 PM
Or go work on something else. Maybe too much pressure?
Posted by: Chelle Parmele on April 21st, 2008, 3:51 PM
Or just an overload of things to do! We launched a new product today so I’m fielding media calls and getting people excited about everything.
Posted by: Meryl on April 21st, 2008, 4:02 PM
Chelle, sounds like a special day — congrats! I skip blogging on such days. What would happen if you didn’t blog today? I stopped pressuring myself to blog daily and it helps. I didn’t get lazy and stop altogether.
Posted by: Chelle Parmele on April 21st, 2008, 4:04 PM
Totally! I just badger half the company to blog. It’s a win/win situation.
Posted by: Dawn Goldberg on April 21st, 2008, 7:27 PM
I deal with days like this by following the energy. If I don’t want to work right then, I don’t. If I try to force myself anyway, my output is crap, and I feel even worse. If I do what I really want to, then I’m happier.

And, believe it or not, following my energy does NOT mean never working. Sometimes my energy wants me to work on days off. And I follow my energy on that day, too.

Dawn Goldberg’s last blog post..On the Fringe
Posted by: Meryl on April 21st, 2008, 8:36 PM
You’re right, Dawn! I’ve found myself working on the weekend when work just leads me that way. I think it all evens out in the end, right?
Posted by: John Lampard on April 22nd, 2008, 4:19 AM
I’ve tried doing something different; housework, filing, cleaning out kitchen cupboards, but some days nothing can lift the lethargy. I’m with Dawn here, I think sometimes you simply have to sit it out, and wait for the energy wave to come your way… even if that is at 11pm or some other less than convenient time

John Lampard’s last blog post..Real People Don’t Have Time for Social Media
Posted by: Meryl on April 22nd, 2008, 7:48 AM
I’ve had plenty of days where nothing snapped me out of lethargy, John. Thank goodness, one of my jobs is reviewing games. I can almost always play games and it’s guilt-free since I’ve got to write about it.
Posted by: Lisa on May 5th, 2008, 12:40 PM
If you’re mobile, try a change of scenery. Move from your home office to the library or a coffee shop (or even out to the yard). Sometimes it’s your surroundings that are blocking your focus.

Lisa’s last blog post..Got Razor-Sharp Focus?

Meryl's Notes Blog