We can easily be stuck in the fog of having a message to share and not knowing how.
This is the 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. 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 here is the path through the fog that I took to get some clarity on my writing.
8 steps to try when you’re first starting to share your message.
#1. I learned good habits.
I embraced productivity by creating routines and habits that supported what I want to do. I have an inspiring and encouraging message to share. If I am not able to set aside time to write down my thoughts then that book will not be written or the article completed. No one will be able to enjoy my ideas without structure created in my schedule and daily life. Some of my favorite daily habits:
- Getting plenty of restful sleep.
- Drinking lots of water.
- Daily exercise – usually a long walk.
- Eating lots of fresh fruits and veggies.
- Morning Pages. (My journaling practice from this book and this YouTube video.)
“Habits grow strongest and fastest when they’re repeated in predictable ways, and for most of us, putting an activity on the schedule tends to lock us into doing it.”
“It takes work to make a habit, but once that habit is set, we can harness the energy of habits to build happier, stronger, more productive lives.”
– Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin
#2. I read great books and I enjoyed great resources.
New ideas can not exist in a vacuum. To be inspired and to be creative my gas tank needs to be full of great creative work. We live in a world of abundance. There are so many inspiring people, books, podcasts, and resources. I spent time soaking up information and ideas. Reading, listening, and journaling what I learned.
“Continuous learning is the catalyst for reaching your goals and creating your best life!””
If you do not have a plan you will fall into someone else’s plan.”
from KYD55 – Marc & Trish Leach
#3. 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.”
Podcast Episode #106 – Emily P. Freeman
#4. I continue to work on emotional & relational health.
To start anything new I must have a support system. I needed to invest in my family, my friendships, and my emotional growth. I could not see the road in front of me without knowing where I had been. Just pushing the gas peddle sent me farther into the fog. I needed co-pilots, support, and time spent in reflection. I will keep gathering people around me who are supportive and kind.
Each of us has events and relationships we need to heal from. We will have a vibrant message and more to say if we show up as a healthy version of ourselves. Go to counseling, deepen friendships, see a life coach, talk with a mentor, join an online community for support, and invest in your immediate family without expectations of results.
“You can nourish healthier relationships in order to keep yourself undistracted by self-invented emotional catastrophes.”
– Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
“What are you bringing to the table? Meaning, what are you learning and focusing on to move the conversation forward?”
– KYD – Marc & Trish Leach
#5. 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.
– Essentialism by Greg McKeown
#6. 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.
- Are you a speaker? Then you are a writer.
- Do you enjoy communicating while with others? The 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 Tweet or 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 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).”
– Everybody Writes by Ann Handley
#7. 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 I use Evernote and a system of digital notebooks to organize my work in progress. This article on my Uncle Mark’s site is super helpful! Writing Workflow
“…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
#8. Bring Order to Your Home Environment
When I brought order to our home environment, I made room for creativity. I did not realize at the time how much this would affect my thought life. I did not know the weight that my clutter and disorganized messes had on my mind. But now I feel so much lighter and able to focus. (Although this is a continual process…) Here are a few articles that may help you with this topic:
“The fact is, when we tailor our approach to suit our own particular challenges and habits, we’re far more likely to be able to create the order that will make our lives happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative.”
– Outer Calm Inner Order by Rubin
150 short, concrete clutter-clearing ideas so each reader can choose the ones that resonate most.
We all want the skies to clear so we can see the road ahead.
What can you do to give your creativity some clarity?
Photo credit: Jason Paige
This is what I did so that I was able to spend time and space on my writing. It was a long process and I am thankful that I kept writing in my notebook in the midst of those busy months.
Is this the path for everyone? No. Definitely not. But it was my journey. I hope that you are able to find your way out of the fog. That you can find a shortcut to productivity and progress. But, you might have to take the scenic route and that is not easy. Just know that you are not alone.
Writing is hard, but it is so worth it!
I am cheering you on! You got this! – April
my writing buddy
Photo credits: Jason Paige, some are mine (& rest are from Unsplash)