Last year I intended to write a lot. Journaling and freewriting. Essays and articles—I even had ideas for them. Mostly, though, I wanted to draft the memoir I’ve been working on for years.
What happened?
I put my book project last in that list, just like I put it last on my to do list throughout 2014. 
I wanted to do it, but it felt frivolous. I had other work to do, paying work or potentially paying work, that had to come first right?
My kids needed me. I had other family stuff to deal with. Dinner to make. Laundry to fold. Running. I was too busy.
It made a good excuse. The truth was that I was stuck. I had written lots of material, but I couldn’t quite figure out the scope of my story. I had an easy answer, but it wasn’t the book I wanted to write. So I let the project fall to the bottom of my list every day. Until it wasn’t even on my list at all.
Sound familiar?
In the fall, energized by a new schedule and the new start of September, I asked one of my writing teachers for help. She looked at some of my recent work and made a few suggestions.
I started to see the pieces come together. I was eager to jump in. And then work deadlines loomed and the project sat neglected. Again.
Now, here we are, a new year, a new page, a new chance to focus in on a goals.
Tomorrow morning, before I check email, before I jump into client work, I will focus on this story. I’ll sit in the chair whether the words flow or flounder.
I’ll come back next week and do it again. I’m starting small. Once a week. More than last year. A start.
What are your goals this year? What are doing to put them first? What do you need to make them happen?
I needed time, which I now have with my kids in school. I just need to use it well.
I needed inspiration, which I got originally through classes and writing challenges.
I needed help getting past my own hurdle—what do I do with all this writing I’ve done, how do I mold it into something more than a bunch of scattered files? I got that from my writing mentor.
Now I need to do the work.
What project will you focus on this year? kind of help do you need to meet goals? What will you do today to get started?
Sara, I love this reminder, especially in regards to writing. Just the inspiration I need to return to my personal practice of journaling. I always gain so much insight and centeredness when I make the time. THANKS!
I know—it’s one of those things I needed reminders about too. Happy writing/journaling!
Hey Sara! My goal for this year is to finally write “the book” that’s been in me for years. I guess fear has held me back. It seems like such a big thing to tackle! How do you suggest I get started??
That’s great, Tamara. I suggested picking a time to work on you book and keeping that appointment with yourself. I’d love to hear more about your book and offer something more specific.
I totally relate to wanting to write in the morning, before doing anything email or social media related!
Sarah,
As I look at a row of notebooks I wrote in over the years, wanting to make ‘something’ out of them, your post is so so so relevant. Not just for that book but for any important life project that calls for our attention! No more soul callings sitting on the back burner! (unless they need to simmer for added life flavours)
Nathalie
Yes, Nathalie, sometimes the story needs to sit. I think I needed to tell parts of mine to process and get through them (lots of value in that and all those notebooks), but I needed more time to be ready to tell the story I’m ready to tell now.