Clik here to view.
Take the first stepI’ve been sitting here in front of my computer today struggling to find words that will somehow, miraculously, turn into a blog post.
At this point, any word will do.
I decided to take my mom’s advice to 15-year-old me angsting over a long-ago essay due for English class. Her advice? An exasperated, “Just write. You can edit later.”
Just write. Just Do It. (Thank you Nike.)
But it’s not that easy. It doesn’t come naturally. I can’t sit still. I’m hungry. I’m thirsty. I’m cold. I need to check my email. Then Facebook. Then there’s this article that’s really interesting I’ve been meaning to read. And I need to answer this email from my friend.
This line of thinking and non-action has being going on. All. Day. Long.
It’s hard to break the cycle. It’s much easier to succumb to the distractions. To put it off until tomorrow.
My head is full of excuses today. My Inner Critic is whining, I don’t want to write. My creativity feels sapped.
Like my energy does some days when I’m supposed to go outside and do something active. Or when I want to eat a healthy meal but it’s much easier to snack on potato chips and jelly beans.
This morning I woke up at 6:30 to go for a run. I’ve signed up for my first organized race in over two years and put together my training plan last night.
It was cold outside. And very warm and cozy in bed. But I got up (albeit after a snooze or two). I did it. I got my run in.
And it felt good. Watching the sun rise as my feet crunched the ice underneath my feet is a treat I haven’t experienced in awhile. There focus and the knowledge that I’m working towards something.
Despite the apparent parallels between “just getting up and running” and just “sitting down and writing,” it doesn’t make it any easier to sit down and write.
But it’s possible. Sometimes I simply have to stop thinking. Period. And just do The Thing.
My trick with running (when I’m distracted, procrastinating and full of excuses) is to convince myself to go out for 10 minutes. If I still don’t feel like running after 10 minutes, I can turn around. What usually happens is that somewhere between minute one and minute ten, I get in a flow. My blood starts moving and I start enjoying the run. And I keep going.
I sat down ten minutes ago, telling myself to “write for just ten minutes.” Just write. And then I struck a deal with myself: If nothing happens and I simply stare at the screen for those 10 minutes, I’d release myself from the pressure to have to write something today and would go read a book. I’d step away from the computer and shift gears.
But what do you know? Here I am, still writing.
Sometimes we over think and over analyze things so much that it’s paralyzing. It’s really important to get out of our heads once in awhile and simply trust ourselves that what we need to do will get done. We need to commit to that first step.
To start. To begin. To open ourselves up to the journey without judgement, expectation or ego. And enjoy the process of action (even if that enjoyment comes much later).
Are you procrastinating on something today? What’s your 10-minute action going to be?
welcome
If you’re new here, welcome. I’m delighted you stopped by.
Sign up for my monthly newsletter for more inspiration and practical tips to help you get—and stay active. You’ll also receive a FREE email series sharing the 10 Essential Elements of Adventure.
If you’re interested in life coaching and ready to make a change, contact me for a free consult.
Other posts you might enjoy:
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.