Sometimes I struggle writing a blog. I’ll sit down to write a post I know I need to write and instead of writing it, I’ll come up with a thousand other posts with catchy titles and interesting stories that I’ll want to write instead. Of course, I don’t actually write them, it’s just a convenient form of mental escapism that distracts me from what I know I should be doing. Instead of writing the post in front of me, I’ll convince myself that I should be writing a different post. Any post, on any topic, for any other blog. Anything else, but this one in front of me.
Isn’t that how it always is with everything?
The next topic is easy.
The next idea is easy.
The next challenge is easy.
Or at least they seem so.
Implementation is the hard part.
As soon as the next thing becomes that thing in front of you, you know – the thing you actually have to work on, it gets a lot harder.
It’s because this thing is right here in front of you. Staring back at you. Daring you to write it.
Of course this happens with other stuff besides writing. Whether it’s your job, your workouts, or even crossing stuff off of your impossible list, It’s easy to skip around to the next thing, because you’ve convinced yourself they’ll be easy. Don’t do it.
Don’t kid yourself into thinking that the next thing will be easier. It won’t be.
The thing in front of you is the one that matters, so do that and worry about the next thing you’re done with it.
[Photo Credit]
Just what I needed to hear today, thank you! I have three things to do, and I want to do all of them, but I can’t focus on starting any of them because I want to do all three. It doesn’t work that way!
Okay, getting started Right Now!
🙂
I went running instead, which is one of those things that’s on the agenda without actually being scheduled. I feel a lot more clear now, so those three things will get done. RAH!
Running has a way of clearing your head. Glad you got it done!
As always a great post. I find myself stuck on the implementation of many things. Sometimes it seems like the old brain gets stuck in a “loop” and it is hard to get it out of that rut.
On that note-time for me to move on and get some stuff done this afternoon.
Keep up the great writing!
Thanks Sean. Good luck getting your stuff done.
So true! I’ve been stuck in “idea overload” lately, and instead of actually putting any posts out there, I just start a new post and don’t finish any of them. Sometimes you’ve got to hunker down and do it! It’s so easy to forget that feeling of accomplishment of finishing.
Gotta get rid of this startitis and get a good case of finishitis!
I think you just made up a few new diseases there Heather 🙂
I’m slightly different in that I usually just build up the thing in front of me as this difficult thing to do…until I actually start working on it. My mind will always trick me into thinking it’s worse than it really is.
I think we all have that same issue. Just gotta put your head down and charge through it.
Joel,
Thank you for digitally kicking my butt with this post.
I’ve had a project since January that is literally staring at me in the face. I made the incision, but I haven’t stitched it back up. I find myself dreaming about other projects, and really do get into that mindset that “when its not in front of me, it’s a lot easier.”
So, thanks for the reminder. I will get it done this weekend. Anyone who wants to e-mail me on Monday of next week to keep me accountable with the previous statement, it’s [email protected].
ML
Always happy to administer a digital butt kicking (half the time, they’re for me as much as for anyone else) :).
I suffer from “I’ll just do this thing really quickly then I can focus on that thing I’m supposed to do”. That thing is never ‘quick’ and it’s almost always just a way to stall from getting the real work done. Why do we do that?????
It isn’t ever “quick.” It’s just another convenient way to procrastinate. I’m not sure why we do it, but I think it has something to do with being human 🙂
I find this especially true when I really need to write about a topic but can’t find the “right” words. Sometimes I’ll just write a post that I know is going to be a piece of crap just to get the thoughts out of my brain.
Otherwise writer’s block chews its way in and takes up residence.
Crappy writing is still better than not writing at all. That said, I try to use the crappy stuff as “starter” work just to get my fingers moving rather than letting writer’s block ‘take up residence” as you said 🙂
OK, ok. This really describes me. It has become my standard operating procedure. It goes hand in hand with procrastination. Focus is the key.
There’s a great resource on focus here -> http://focusmanifesto.com/
This post was just the spark I needed. Last week, I wrote three blog posts in one day and had a very productive day last Thursday. I’ve been coasting on that high and haven’t written anything since. I have done a lot of reading, research, and dreaming since then, but have written squat.
Thanks for the re-focus and butt-kicking.
No problem Jermaine 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Just found your site! I’m glad I’m not the only one. Last week I was completely uninspired but the mojo is back. I guess it comes in waves for everyone. I’m with you, though…it helps to just put something — anything on paper.