Coping with emotional roadblocks to writing

Students often tell me they’re too exhausted to write. This is a classic writing block. :-)

 

Constant exhaustion indicates an emotional energy leak. You can plug your leaks and get around your blocks. Here are some common blocks and how to get around them:

 

Block One: Your expectations

You have a dream, and you think you know how it will evolve. You don’t know. You can’t know. All your expectations do is get in the way. Drop your expectations. Think about your dream, and get excited. The minute you start thinking that you know how your dream will evolve, just refocus on the dream again, and the next action you have to take.

 

Block Two: Envy and jealousy

Don’t compare yourself with anyone else. If you truly knew all the details of the person's life you're busy envying, chances are you wouldn’t want his life. Be grateful for everything you have.

 

Block Three: Taking on too much

You can have it all, but not all at once. If you're studying, raising three small children under five, and want to run a small business in your spare time, get real. Hold your dream until you finish your course and the kids are in school.

 

Block Four: Assuming

Ask, don't assume. You want to send out 100 queries, but ---- (fill in your assumption here).

 

Send out the letters if that's what you see in your headlights. Do it.

  

Block Five: Negative thought patterns

Negative thoughts are like weeds. They grow, until they choke the life out of your spirit.

 

Here's the good news: once you can spot a negative thought, the thought dies. It can’t survive with your attention directly on it, because then you can challenge it. So when you spot a negative thought, smile. You're winning.