What Brick Wall? *Thunk*
Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal. ~Henry Ford
When I was in high school, my classmates on the swim team all had these stickers that they’d put on the cover of their notebooks, inside their lockers, on their textbooks, etc. And they’d have a number on them. It would say something like: 53:20. They were writing down their goals. As a teenager, I didn’t understand it. After all, if their faces were in the water, how could they see the clock?
I grew out of that when I realized that there was a certain magic in stating aloud what you wanted to accomplish.
That’s what we all did here: stated aloud that we’d write these books; wrote it up on our virtual locker doors.
But maybe you are saying to yourself now, “That was the easy part. I didn’t realize I’d have to BLANK BLANK BLANK, and my husband/kids/girlfriend/mother/dog BLANK BLANK BLANK…”
Shhhhhh…
Look at that number on your locker room door. For a moment today, just look at it. Do you want it? Then ask yourself what you have to do to reach it.
Good luck!
March 21st, 2008 at 7:55 am
I need this today. I need a reminder that we all have our goals and the only way to meet them is to write. I had to undergo some medical testing this week and it put me out of commission. I haven’t written anything the last three days and feel guilty. I know, of course, that I’ll get back on track. I have tonight and tomorrow to get some work done. Sunday will be out of the question.
March 21st, 2008 at 9:42 am
This is has by far been the worst Sven challenge for me. I almost feel like dropping out because I know it’s not going to happen. Again. But then there’s this little voice inside me that says “don’t give up and don’t stop writing.”
Knowing other people have the same kinds of obstacles that I battle with everyday makes sticking in there much easier. It’s also inspiring. If I can look at someone else and see the weight of their obligations being balanced with their desire to write, I figure I can somehow manage to make the time to put my fingers on the keyboard, too.
March 21st, 2008 at 11:19 am
Great post, Diana. The swimmers at my high school didn’t do the goal thing, at least not in such a clear and public way. Maybe that’s why none of them ever went to State.
I have goals for the weekend, unfortunately not Sven goals (at least not Sven-on-my-new-book goals). I got revision notes back on IMMORTAL WARRIOR and my editor wants the revised ms back on Monday. Busy. But once this is done, my plate is utterly clear for Sven and Steinarr (my hero in the new book). Do love those Scandanavian types.