Hey Me...Get Out of the Way!
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The day when members of the Insecure Writer's Support Group
share their writing struggles and offer their encouragement
and support to other members.
IWSG founder: Alex J. Cavanaugh
Our wonderful co-hosts:
Gwen Gardner, Dolorah, Sarah Foster, and M. Pax.
I have so much to get done, my head swam...just a little.
Book launch. Life. Taxes. Tis the season for it all.
Anyhow, I made a list and started powering* through. I was knocking things off and about sprained a muscle patting myself on the back, when I stopped for lunch. While noshing on my sandwich, I was reading blogs and realized....holy smokes! It's Wednesday (yes, I do lose track of days...no it's not the worst problem to have) and it's February (Really? Already?) And it's IWSG Day!!!
Now, I would never miss this. I may arrive late, with my hair a mess, but I will make it to the party.
Sooooo...
Best advice for shutting up insecure thoughts?
Well, not to sound like a Nike commercial, but~
When you have something that needs to be done, thinking is a bad thing.
Yes, thinking.
Planning is good. Problem solving is acceptable. But brooding over your failings and your lack of progress will get you NOWHERE!!
Stop it. Tell your brain to shut up. Politely.
Then make a list of all the things you need to get done and DO them!
And just so I don't sound all bossy and whip wielding, here is this:
Trust me. You're no bigger a screw up than any of the rest of us.
Now, tell yourself to get out of the way and get busy.
*you know how to power through, right? You begin at #1 on the list and you just do it. No matter how crappy (like tax stuff) or boring (like tax stuff)...you just get it done and mark it off the list.
Give your brain a good kick! I know you are good at that kicking stuff.
ReplyDeleteBwa ha ha!! What I need is a calendar...
DeleteAhh! Love this! And it's better to be late to the party than not make it at all. You just need to claim that you like to show up late to make an entrance. :)
ReplyDeleteI so needed to hear this today...thanks!
You seem like a total do'er Kristin! I'd never guess you as a slacker, like I can be.
DeleteThanks for reminding me about having to do my taxes. Now I'll never be able to concentrate on my story. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. If it makes you feel better...I hear the IRS is in even crazier than we are.
DeleteWow! so this is what you write when you're late? hands down the funniest post I got lucky to read the whole day. You entered the party like Cinder from The Lunar Chronicles and stole the show :) I do agree with you, too much thinking only waists my time and blind me from many great opportunities, I learned the hard way that I really should get out my way, still do it though every now and then, Grrrrr!
ReplyDeleteTimely. Thank you. Getting things done.
ReplyDeleteI love that quote. It is so very true.
ReplyDeleteLove this, Elizabeth! I tend to overthink and overanalyze, and this is just the reminder I need. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI was late too. "Just do it" is great advice.
ReplyDeleteI read your post, threw out my arms, and screamed, "RAWR" at the ceiling. Just so you know.
ReplyDeleteI'm good at making lists of things to do but terrible at actually getting them done. I really just need to kick myself on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteFebruary IWSG Co-host
IWSG day just sneaks up, doesn't it? This is a great post. I loved the part were you said to tell your brain to shut up. Politely. Making lists is how I get things done. I'm the List Queen! ;)
ReplyDeleteI SO need to get out of my way. Love this post!
ReplyDeleteI find over-thinking things can stop my progress in its tracks, so I probably need "just do it" written on my wall! Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteJust do it and its done, rule to live by at my sea. Ugg to taxes though.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had read your post first thing this morning! Though I did get done some of what I needed to today, I am running on anxiety and can't get my brain to shut up and get out of the way! Better late than never to read this though, because there is still tomorrow!!!
ReplyDeleteTaxes!!! Already??? But...but...it's February! UGH. Sigh. Ok, I'll do them soon, I promise!
ReplyDeleteWell said, Elizabeth! Sometimes we are our worst obstacle to overcome. I hope things ease up soon for you,
ReplyDeleteYour post title is absolutely perfect, ha ha. It says it all.
ReplyDeleteMan, you make it sound so easy! Yes, power through it. Sometimes I just need to sit and make a physical list so I can see each thing as it gets crossed off.
ReplyDelete"Git er done!" I like it :)
ReplyDeleteI must remember the powering through bit because, oh boy can I procrastinate given half the chance!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this post, Elizabeth! I've been reading a lot of books lately about self realisation and your point about Just Doing It is the icing on the cake. I have a friend who is a little down in the dumps at the moment, I think I'm going to send her your link so she can read this :D xx
ReplyDeleteI like the determined attitude. You go girl.
ReplyDelete"Stop it. Tell your brain to shut up. Politely."
ReplyDeleteLove it!!!
I love the "get out of your own way!" I'll have to remember that one when my inner editor is snapping at my words. Thanks for dropping by my blog on Blitz Day!
ReplyDeleteI love love love that insecurity quote. (You've been saving that... right???) Excellent.
ReplyDeleteKeep powering through. You'll get there!
I can't deny I love those NIKE commercials and they really are inspiring so I don't mind you sounding like one. Amen to all you said!
ReplyDeleteAnd I cracked up about your injury caused by patting yourself on the back LOL.
LOL. Excellent advice post. I love the tone.
ReplyDelete"brooding over your failings and your lack of progress will get you NOWHERE!!" This is so true.
ReplyDeleteI needed to hear this today . . . thanks, friend :-) <3
ReplyDeleteVery true!!! Thanks, Elizabeth! I needed this today. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm very insecure about my height. I don't really think I'm THAT short, but I seem to be just short enough for people to make fun of it. I'm 5'5.
ReplyDeleteI love the graphic.
ReplyDeleteI'm a list maker. When I'm on a roll, I think about knocking things off the list, nothing else. I'm particularly good at this early in the morning and on weekends.
Taxes!!! UGH! I'm still recovering from my book-release month. It's just exhausting.
ReplyDeleteha! yes--my life! I'm so in my own way lately. My own doubts are killing me!
ReplyDeleteSo, so true! And, ugh, I'm already dreading taxes and am still waiting on 1099s before I can start.
ReplyDeleteJust do it! True words to live by Liz.
ReplyDeleteIn line with your powering through it list, I've heard of the eat the frog method. The idea is that if the most disgusting thing you are going to do in a day is eat a frog, you should start with eating a frog, because NO MATTER WHAT, NOTHING will be as bad as eating that frog, so it's all downhill from there.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea, but let's face it, frog eating is supremely gross.
Not if it's frog legs and properly prepared.
ReplyDelete