So, I have something to confess.  I recently realized how time consuming blog writing can be.  For most of you out there, you’re probably thinking, “Duh”.  Sometimes I spend hours trying to get the words just right or the pictures to look just so, and I end up not writing anything else (– that’s the confession part).  I’ll have my Final Draft window open with the script I’m currently working on, but it does just that –it’s sits there, antagonizing me, reminding me of my lack of productiveness.  Now, I am a bit of a procrastinator and I’m well aware of it, but the things that have been going on this week, piling up, are not due to this condition.  I swear.  So I’ve come to a decision.  In the beginning, I was trying to write a blog a day, but as I’ve taken note of over the last few weeks, I can’t keep up (and neither can some of my readers), so, I’m going to write blogs only 3x a week and get myself back on track at writing my stuff everyday.  I think some of it has to do with that rewrite, you all know the one.  It has mentally worn me out.

So what does this have to do with accepting who you are?  In part, it’s about not feeling like a failure when things don’t go as planned.  It’s about setting boundaries and limitations because sometimes we try to do so many things that it becomes impossible to do them all without something falling to the wayside, then we feel bad, and that’s not a good attitude to have when we’re trying to be creative.  In addition to the big goals you may have set for yourself, it’s good to set smaller, daily goals that you can aim to achieve.  Whether it’s a word or page count, how many query letters you’re going to send out, or finding a handful of networking opportunities, set attainable “to do’s” that you can meet and feel good about yourself for accomplishing.  A positive mindset definitely encourages a more conducive writing experience.

You may have to do a little self-reflection, and come to terms with certain facets about yourself.  And I don’t mean only the negative things or those features you consider shortcomings.  If you acknowledge who you truly are, you’re more likely to use it to your advantage, and then who knows what you can accomplish.  Like my procrastination, that sometimes works to my advantage, but can also be stress inducing — I accept that about myself and try, with great effort, to not (always) allow that to rule my day, and yet, when the clock is ticking, my mind suddenly clears and there’s a spark of genius.  Okay, that might be a slight exaggeration, but I do find a strange clarity in those tense final moments (and blaring heart palpitations).

I found two different posts today from friends that reiterated this lesson.  If you’ve never taken a personality quiz before, this one from iPersonic, may be enlightening.  Then, there was a study about Why Creative People Make No Sense.  That made me feel so much better about myself.  Hopefully, it will clarify some things for you too.  We are creatives.  And that means we are complex creatures and we should be proud (maybe I’ll have tee-shirts made or start a support group).

Okay.  I am not going to agonize over this blog any further (P.S.  If you find any grammatical errors, please let me know!) and I’m going to go write.  Really.

Good luck to you and your writing endeavors!

*Image from DL Koontz site