Facing Resistance

In last week's Monday Motivator, I encouraged readers to consider blocking out 30-60 minutes every day for writing and suggested we treat our writing time with the same respect we would a meeting or a class. As always, those two seemingly simple suggestions resulted in my phone ringing off the hook and my inbox overflowing! The outpouring of response only re-affirmed my belief that daily writing is difficult because what seems like a simple act -- sitting down to write for one hour every day -- brings forth all of our "stuff" (whatever that "stuff" may be). This past week alone, daily writing brought out fears of success, fears of failure, debilitating perfectionism, inner-critics on steroids, rage over institutional inequalities, and painful ambivalence about the academic path. Today, I want to affirm that daily writing is difficult and resistance is to be expected. Anytime we try to make a change in our behavior, we are guaranteed to face inner resistance. That resistance is perfectly normal, practically universal, and you are not alone in your fears, anxieties, and time constraints. If you struggled to write every day last week, that's okay. This is a new week and a new opportunity to enter into open and honest conversation with our resistance. Some of us experience resistance as a loss of energy, then we give up on daily writing, and later feel guilty about it. Let's take a totally different approach to our resistance this week by acknowledging it, being curious about it, figuring it out, naming it, and then sneaking around it. In the process, let's also be gentle with ourselves because guilt, shame and self-criticism aren't useful and they aren't going to help any of us write, publish and/or be productive researchers. This is a new week, so when you experience resistance, I want to suggest three things. First, acknowledge that you're feeling resistance and name it. Even if it's only "I just don't wanna write today!" That's a great start. Second, find the smallest amount of time you can stand for daily writing and show up. If you can write for 5 minutes every day this week, that's a success! If all you can do in that 5 minutes is physically pick up your manuscript and walk around your office snuggling it, that's progress! Third, in that small amount of time, re-connect with what you love about your project. You may hate 30 different things about it, but for now try remembering what you love about it. Doing just a little something and loving it will help you tiptoe around your resistance, the energy will flow back in, and you will be moving forward on the pathway to establishing a healthy and sustainable writing routine. The Weekly Challenge This week, I want to challenge you to do the following: If you haven't written down your semester writing goals yet, do so now. If you need motivation, read some of the inspirational postings on the discussion forum. Re-commit to your writing time this week. Block the time out of your calendar. If you don't have a calendar, buy one ASAP or download my free version. If you experience resistance, acknowledge and name it. If you're struggling, reduce your time to the smallest amount you can actually stand, then set a timer, and get started. Remember what you LOVE about your work. If you don't love anything about your manuscript, gently and lovingly ask yourself: why am I doing this?

I hope this week brings you the strength to engage in conversation with your resistance and a deep reconnection with what you love about your current writing project. Peace & Productivity, Kerry Ann Rockquemore, PhD Associate Professor African American Studies and Sociology University of Illinois at Chicago KerryAnn@NewFacultySuccess.com