Once I met a writing coach, a corporate project manager and a retired executive coach all in the same week. Each of these folks was paid to efficiently, effectively solve other people’s problems.
But deep into our conversations about their writing goals and projects, one by one these savvy professionals confided in me the same, frustrating dilemma:
“I already know what I need to do to get my writing done,” they said.
“But why can’t I do it for myself?”
Can you relate?
I’m guessing you’re smart and savvy too. And I’ll bet that at some point you’ve asked yourself the very same thing:
“What’s stopping me from doing what I know I need to do to move my writing forward?”
Simply “Knowing How” Is Not Enough.
If you’re good at getting results and meeting deadlines for everyone else but yourself, there’s a bright side: you’ve already got tangible proof that you can get your writing done…at least in some contexts.
But remember: simply “knowing what to do” is not the only key to successful writing.
There’s something else at play besides skill sets and logic.
Finishing a book, clarifying a writing dream, and getting honest and real about what you deeply love takes heart, intuition and a willingness to surrender control long enough for some creative magic to creep in.
So please don’t forget: the process of achieving your writing dreams and goals is NOT a science.
It’s an art.
Here’s a common blind spot writers often miss when they want to get serious about their goals.
See if you can relate.
My Journey
In my early 30s, I used to weigh 10-15 pounds more than I do now. I wasn’t that heavy, but I certainly didn’t look or feel great.
Like you, I knew the simple rule of weight loss: eat less. Move your body more.
So I earnestly ate less and worked out a bit more.
I often succeeded in losing some weight on my own — 4 pounds here, 7 pounds there.
But I never managed to keep that the weight off.
Know why?
I was scared to be “seen.”
Whenever we start showing up as engaged and alive with our visions and passions, the world notices. We’re happier and more energized when we write, if we’re meant to write. As a younger woman, I was happier and more energized when I was living in my body’s more-right size.
But people around us — friends and strangers — react to this new aliveness in us. And without support or help walking through the fear of being seen, it only takes a momentary setback (real or imagined) to send us back to our dull, familiar choices.
It often feels safer to do what everyone else is doing: try to “be more productive.” Follow a proscribed book template or write only what you think will sell.
But the most original, creative and fulfilling writing you can do will spring from you daring to discover your own best ways to resource yourself, to motivate yourself and to craft your project.
Make sense?
You Can Learn to Be Seen
I finally broke through my fears (and learned to keep that weight off for years) by working on my lifestyle goals with a group of like-minded women. I got to see others who changed their shapes and lives, and their examples and experiences helped me relax. (And practice being seen.) So now, in my private and group coaching programs, I offer my clients opportunities to connect to each other online and in person. They learn that they’re not alone with their struggles and fears, and our forums offer them a cozy, safe arena to practice “being seen” as the highly productive, highly passionate writers they’re becoming. Imagine how great it feels to practice being unabashedly alive and enthusiastic about your work before you venture out into the world with your new essay, book project or marketing.
Don’t underestimate the impact of the fear of being seen. Get yourself in conversation and community with other writers who are committed to changing their lives and getting their writing done.
Hone your receptive facultie
s so you can hear and honor your own ways of working…even when they divert from commonly accepted practice.
You’ll save yourself quite a bit of time if you do this with others.
Besides, you deserve the companionship and support of other savvy writers. Trust me. They’re out there — taking risks, doing what they “know” they need to do for their writing, getting their writing projects done and starting to truly love their lives.
It’s up to you to find them.
Let’s Camp! Ready to create a writing routine you truly love? Want to do it in just 6 weeks with coaching, resources and the company of new writing friends?
Email marla@coachmarla.com for your invitation! We start July 8th and we’re going to have a blast. Would love to have you join us.
