Maintaining Motivation For Long-Term Writing Projects
Some make it happen, some watch it happen, and some say, "What happened?"
-
Unknown
For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin -- real life. But there was always some obstacle
in the way. Something to be got through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be
paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.
-
Fr. Alfred D'Souza
Few things are harder to put up with than a good example.
- Mark
Twain
Dear Friend,
In case you were holding your breath... I was on vacation and did not write the second newsletter for the month.
I give myself permission to actually be on vacation when I'm on vacation and I encourage you to do the same.
Getting fully away from your work activates your rejuvenative and creative processes in a qualitatively different
way than if you were still partly "at work" while on vacation. Try it. You'll like it.
Share your "secrets"
If you're one of those people for whom maintaining motivation for writing projects is not a problem, you
can support your fellow readers by sharing your secrets. What strategies do you use? If this comes
more easily for you than for other folks you know, why do you believe this is so? What have you set up to
support your writing?
Send me a quick e-mail and I'll include your comments in the next newsletter. I would like to attribute your
contribution to you by name, but will only do so if you specifically give me permission and tell me how you'd like
to be identified (e.g., Dr. Hillary Who, Huguenot-Walloon University).
Previously
The topic of the previous issue was Stepping Through
Writing Procrastination. If you haven't read it, please stop and do so, then return here. You can
read it now by clicking on the underlined title/link above while you're online. Note: If the link doesn't work
in your e-mail program, go to http://www.stevereiter.com
and look for Archives in the left-hand menu.
Maintaining motivation over the long haul
The subject for today's newsletter came from a new subscriber, an academic who is faced with the challenge of maintaining
motivation over the course of long-term writing projects.
If it's not too late, pick a project that really excites you
Like any project, motivation will come more easily if the project is something in which you're truly interested.
So choose carefully up front, knowing that staying excited about your project will make it easier to get out of
bed in the morning.
Structures
Coaches sometimes use the word "structures" when referring to those supports you could set up in your
life that will increase the chance that you will actually reach your desired outcome. These are some common structures:
clocks, timers, schedule books, planners, and PDA's; secretarial and support staff; visual reminders of why you're
doing what you're doing (e.g., photos of your family or an alluring vacation); coaches; supportive friends, family,
and colleagues; support groups; gym memberships, exercise buddies; proper equipment; motivating consequences (e.g.,
you get honored, get an A, avoid an F, go to Tahiti, get to stay employed).
You can create or arrange elaborate or simple "structures" to support your work. Here are some
structures which could conceivably support your long-term writing project.
Find a place to write that works well for you
- Eliminate distractions. Perhaps this means no phone, no e-mail, having the door closed, or even having
it locked.
Make it easy for you to stay focused once you get there
- Do you have adequate light?
- Do you have a comfortable and supportive chair and have you created ergonomics that support you?
- Are the resources you need available? This includes references and data, as well as if you have sufficient,
accessible, and well-organized space for your files.
- Do you have water or a beverage handy?
- Can you grant yourself permission to fully attend to your writing, or will other tasks and responsibilities
be calling for your attention?
Honor your processing style
- Do you work best when moving or still? Morning or night?
- Is your typing up to the task or do you need to find a way around this limitation?
- Do you write more effectively when you have long blocks of time or when you have short blocks of time to sit
with your work?
- Do you need to take time away (several days or more) from your other obligations (including family)?
Build networks of supportive individuals
- Join or create a discussion group that feeds your interest.
- Join or create a writing/research/creativity support group.
- Ask specific colleagues for support, either one-way, in a "barter" of services format (e.g., I'll
do this for you, if you do that for me.), or as buddies giving mutual support.
- Enlist the support of a specialist, such as a coach, a coach, or a coach.
A caution or two
As the Mark Twain quote, above, points out, your success might bring up envious feelings in those around you.
It is important that you seek out support from those who can truly be your ally and who are unafraid of being
"left behind" as you grow into your bigger, more successful life. Finally, partner only with folks who
will not collude with your non-productive patterns.
Your turn
- Decide which of the above items you will try.
- Don't be afraid to pick the easy changes first.
- Decide how and when you will evaluate the results of this "experiment."
- Remember: these suggestions might be perfect for you... or you might need to tweak them or even replace them
with something that will support you better.
- Begin.
- Let me know what you decide to do and, later, what you discover. I'd like to hear.
To your successful writing life -
Steve
|
