Should we push ourselves to write? Should we drag our behinds to the chair and sit there until we type something? Or do we wait? I think there are times when it’s okay to wait.
I got this opinion from working out. Years ago, I used to drag myself to the gym whether I was sick or well, whether I wanted to go or not. The result was that I did go…but I hated it. When I did go, my workouts were lame, barely-there attempts without any heart or drive in them.
Then, one day, I stopped going. I told myself I wouldn’t go again until I felt like going. I made a vow to myself and I kept it.
I stayed away from the gym for almost a year. And then, finally, one day, I wanted to go. I went for a little work out and I had fun. I liked it.
I’ve been working out ever since but my relationship with the gym is very different. I may notice when I don’t go that often but I don’t nag myself and I don’t force myself to go. I go when I want to go. The result is, when I’m there, I have delicious workouts. I love it.
I wonder if writing is like that. I certainly write because I love it. But do I wait for inspiration or do I put my behind in the chair?
I particularly like what Justine Musk says: “Reading is the inhale. Writing is the exhale.”
But, just for kicks, here is Kelly Leiter who says something completely different on motivation.
What about you? What do you think?
Taylor Grace 
I prefer to talk myself into doing 15 minutes of working out or writing. Usually once I’m there, I put in the time. Get it done. Now with that said, on the days I WANT to work out, I put in more effort & it shows. I’m sure the same is with writing.
Ah…I totally agree. There are days when I’m biting at the bit to get going and days when I’m dragging my feet. I love your approach!
I haven’t had to push myself to write yet, though I can see one day I might have to! 😀 I like to stick to routine, and the routine is what keeps me motivated, so I will write if I feel it or not just to keep me going.
The same can’t be said for the gym, which I never ever feel motivated for!
LOL. That’s really funny. Good for you for finding a routine that works! That’s awesome!
I’m a mix, because my mind likes going in twenty directions at once. There are times I “force” myself to write or edit in the sense that there’s some initial resistance and I want to do several something elses. Actually, that’s generally every time. But if I can get a first sentence on the page, or a few lines into revising, the rest of it flows from there almost without pause.
Occasionally I have those days where writing or editing isn’t going to happen, no way no how. Last night was that for me, and I decided that instead of sitting around procrastinating around things I didn’t want to do, I was going to go to bed an hour early and wake up an hour early to get something done. I am happy to say that the scene I wanted to get done last night got done this morning. And I almost never wake up early.
Good for you! That really worked out! I can relate to ‘forcing’ myself and it actually works out, some times. It’s not easy finding motivation, is it?
I’m an extrovert by nature, so my easiest way of finding motivation is to do it with others, even if it’s a “writing in our own separate spaces but at the same time” sort of with others. With my editing I have to constantly delve into a reserve of “people are going to love this when I’m done, so I need to get this done.”
I like it! It’s positive thinking and drive all rolled into one! Nice!