Monday, June 6, 2011

What Are You Waiting For?


#Trust30 30-day writing challenge from ralphwaldoemerson.me.
The Quote
Our arts, our occupations, our marriages, our religion, we have not chosen, but society has chosen for us. We are parlour soldiers. We shun the rugged battle of fate, where strength is born.
 – Ralph Waldo Emerson


The Writing Prompt
“Next to Resistance, rational thought is the artist or entrepreneurs worst enemy. Bad things happen when we employ rational thought, because rational thought comes from the ego. Instead, we want to work from the Self, that is, from instinct and intuition, from the unconscious.
A child has no trouble believing the unbelievable, nor does the genius or the madman. Its only you and I, with our big brains and our tiny hearts, who doubt and overthink and hesitate.” - Steven Pressfield, Do the Work
The idea of “being realistic” holds all of us back. From starting a business or quitting a job to dating someone who may not be our type or moving to a new place – getting “real” often means putting your dreams on hold.
Today, let’s take a step away from rational thought and dare to be bold. What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to accomplish but have been afraid to pursue? Write it down. Also write down the obstacles in your way of reaching your goal. Finally, write down a tangible plan to overcome each obstacle.
The only thing left is to, you know, actually go make it happen. What are you waiting for?
(Author: Matt Cheuvront)

My Response
Me? I'm not waiting. I took the step away from rational thought almost 3 years ago when I ditched the corporate world to pursue the life of a writer and coach, although at the time it was just about the writing. The real vision of inspiring and creating change had yet to morph, but that is what happens when you "Start before you are ready," as Steve Pressfield writes in Do The Work.  The plan now is to self-publish the first novel this summer and then finish the sample chapter for my non-fiction book proposal and go the traditional route on that. Or do I finish that chapter first ? I'm not sure but I'll let you know what happens.

How to overcome the obstacles? Sit in this chair, keep typing and be prepared to do battle with the resistance.

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