5 Prescriptions for Tenacity
I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of a human being to elevate their life by conscious endeavor. ~ Thoreau
As a contribution to this month’s focus on tenacity, here are 5 posts that offer different suggestions and approaches to help you stick at what you’re working on.
They don’t all have a writing focus, but I think all could be applied to writing.
They’re not really prescriptions, but ideas, suggestions and ideas that you could try. Different approaches will work for different times, moods, learning styles, projects, and people.
And it’s not really five either, because I’ve swiped the photo and the quote from Rosa Say, with grateful thanks. But I prefer posting links in bundles of odd numbers, with a particular preference for the number 5 – a preference which I know she shares, and so will understand 
Without further ado, here are 5 things that will help you write tenaciously.
1. Learn How to Stop Zoning Out
We can overcome mindlessness by seeing our world with fresh eyes, according to Ellen Langer of Harvard. “To be mindful,” Langer notes, “stressing process over outcome, allows free rein to intuition and creativity, and opens us to new information and perspectives.” Tapping intuition and creativity stimulate your brain’s working memory.
Zoning Out When Doing Routine Tasks by Robyn McMaster at Brain Based Biz
2. Don’t Run Away from Success
Looking at my desire to run away, I saw it for what it truly was: fear. I’m building success, doing exactly what I want. I’m getting more writing gigs and I’m gearing up to help people with their Someday Syndrome infections in a BIG way. Why the heck would I turn my back on that?
I didn’t bother analyzing the fear. I simply told it “You have no power over me.” and walked past it.
Don’t Run Away from Success by Alex Fayle at Someday Syndrome
(More from Alex later on this week: watch this space!)
3. Be Still
You have to turn off the Blackberry. Turn off the TV. Step away from the computer (and Tweetdeck).
Sit down, take a deep breath, and be still. For just a few minutes.
(Still) Learning to be Still by Terry Starbucker
4. Switch Off Your Time Drains
Writers don’t get it easy. Most of us spend our working lives sat at a computer screen. The very thing that’s supposed to help us write efficiently bombards us with distractions.
But of course, it’s not just technology that keeps us from our hectic writing schedules. We’re surrounded by all manner of things that can’t wait to help us procrastinate.
10 Turn Offs for Restless Writers and Pen Shy Procrastinators by Iain Broom at Write for Your Life
5. Use Your Unique Voice
Over the last couple of days two wonderfully creative men have passed on: John Updike and John Martyn. It struck me that if these men had not been brave enough to set pen to paper or to sing out loud, we all would have lost out. Their unique voices would never have been heard…If you don’t conciously and creatively express yourself now, when will you?
Unique Voice by Amy Palko at Less Ordinary
Have you come across any other posts recently that are helping you to write tenaciously? Or written something about an approach that has worked for you?
Please do share in the comment box. (If your comment doesn’t show up don’t worry, I might need to haul it out of the spam filter because of the links)
Additional Credits:
Elevation by Conscious Endeavor by Rosa Say at Talking Story (Thoreau quote and photo)
Photo: Sugar Cane and Something Else by Rosa Say on Flickr
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I won’t say anything about my tenacious writing tips as I’ll be talking about that later in the week here, but I do want to thank you for the links. I’m not subscribed to all of these, so I get to go explore new sites now! Woo hoo!
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndromes last blog post..Deciding to live: Joely Black interview
I wanted to direct you to thirdcat’s post about rewriting her novel. I think it tells you a lot about the tenacity required to write a book.
http://adelaidefromadelaide.wordpress.com/2009/02/21/on-plotting/
kazaris last blog post..Pretty in pink
Hi Joanna, All this advice is excellent; I especially like what Alex says because it is so positive. Confidence comes from passion, and both are necessary for tenacity.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Will Twitter Be Crushed under Its Own Weight?
Great list of resources, Joanna, considering tenacity is something I need – sometimes more desperately than others! I like what you said about your fears – you just walked past them!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Robert Hruzeks last blog post..What I Learned From 2008 – Chris Garrett
Wonderful! And so appropriate, given that I’ve been asked by Alex to write about tenacity for his blog.
Love,
J xx
Joely Black (@TheCharmQuark on Twitter)s last blog post..When in doubt, take tea with an imaginary person
My best suggestion for tenacity development is the following mantra:
Just bleeping DO IT!
ie, don’t let doubts/second guesses/blahness etc. stop you from putting your fingers to your keys and communicating. You don’t have to be profound, you don’t have to be at the top of your game…but sometimes, if you simply let the dice roll and to heck with what happens, your final work becomes extraordinary.
Data points, Barbara
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coachs last blog post..RANT – When bloggers are PAINFULLY clueless
I love Barbara’s comment.
The perfect words don’t occur to me until I start putting something down on paper or laptop. Sometimes I just have to start with what little I have or I’ll never bring myself to write.
Great list of posts. Thanks.
These are great links! I especially like the Someday Syndrome and Be Still. They seem to strike the biggest chord with me. I think as much as I want to suceed, I unconsciously tell myself I’m not good enough, there is so much competition, what makes you stand out? Why bother trying. I don’t like that I think like that and if my children talked like that I’d be all over them about a positive attitude. But I think the first step is to recognize it and then to push on and, as Alex says, tell it “You have no power over me.”
As for being still! I know if I turn off all distractions I get so much more accomplished, but I every time tweet deck tweets at me, I have to see what it’s saying. I’m hooked. I have to check my e-mail oh, and I have that show recorded I wanted to see, hmm, should I call my mom? How about my sister? It takes real effort to turn off not only the electronic devices, but your mind, as well, and concentrate on what you need to work on. Thanks for the reminder!
Debbie Yosts last blog post..I’m Famous!
Alex I love sharing links, and looking for ways to bundle them together. Yours definitely struck a nerve… with others too I see
kazari thanks for that – I will check it out when I get home and have a bit more time
Brad so positive, and so to the point… I almost felt I didn’t need to quote an extract or send you to his post. The headline instruction spoke volumes on its own
Robert I hope you know how much you inspire others through the stories you tell and share – to believe in themselves, to keep smiling, to keep going. Your words make a big difference.
Joely glad you liked the links. Your piece is amazing, thanks for sharing your journey with such honesty and openness
Barbara indeedy, and that works so well for writing! I’ve been making myself write ‘just’ where I am, what I’m thinking as a way of warming up, and it is, of course, the only way you can really get yourself past your blocks. And you will, with time, find the stuff that is your ordinary extraordinary.
Nithya I love Barbara’s comment too – she hit the nail right on the head didn’t she? Thanks for stopping by
Debbie I think in some ways we do need these distractions – as down time, as play time, as warm up time, but also because on Twitter you will find people who are willing to say – go for it girl! or, I really enjoyed reading that. Or, yes, of course I believe in you.
I think perhaps you should forget thinking about the competition and concentrate on what you want to say. I feel in my gut you have a postive and honest voice, with something of value to contribute. I don’t know which particular dimension it is you are supposed to write about… but I do know there are times when you write things with directness and warmth and honesty… in a way that changes things for other people. And if you only change things for one person… isn’t that enough?
Great post, and I am way too guilty of letting myself get distracted!
(Oh, and psst, there’s a typo in the first full paragraph–unless you really WANT to talk about moths? In which case, I’ve got to get my yarn safely stashed away…)
–Debs last blog post..Premio Dardos
The Winnie the Pooh Guide to Blogging by James Chartrand is a post that I can whole heartedly recommend to all who are still struggling with the issue of distraction and procrastination. I was so encouraged by this post that I immediately put up a post.
Many thanks to you Joanne for this post. My confidence and tenacity is growing.
P.S. Here is the post for all to read.
http://www.copyblogger.com/winnie-the-pooh-blogging/
David Atkinsons last blog post..If You Ask Me…
Yeah, we should take at least a few minutes per day to meditate. The meditation can refresh our mind and keep all those worries away. After all, it won’t cost us any dime to try the meditation, isn’t it, Joanna?
wilsons last blog post..Maintain Your Cholesterol in Healthy Level!
–Deb tenacious moths? Scary thought. Thanks for letting me know re the typo. I’m easily distracted too, though I try not to compound the error by beating myself up about it. Sometimes it’s what we need to do when other stuff is percolating.
David thanks for the reminder about that post – and the challenge / invitation to get out of the forest. Sound advice.
wilson indeed not, and will reap rewards in terms of clarity, energy and so on. Though I have to confess I don’t meditate!
kazari I’ve not had the chance to read that post on plotting – and sticking with your novel. Powerful and interesting words – thanks very much for sharing the link