Monday, February 23, 2009

Keep On Keeping On

I am one of those people who works out three times per week. I'm motivated by one thing: my health. After an injury to the sciatic nerve, working out became a necessity.

With a compelling reason to hit the gym, you'd think I'd at least make the most of my time there. Instead, I found valid reasons to cut corners. After one surgery, I found it difficult to regain my stamina. The treadmill left me exhausted and wanting to crawl into bed. Then, the pain from the titanium hardware in my arm eliminated a couple of machines. My workouts went from 40 minutes to 15 minutes. Soon, my "Hi and Goodbye," to the staff happened so fast they were beginning to think I was a phantom.

When I embarked on this fiction journey, the story burned in my soul. My late husband and I worked out a schedule where I devoted every Wednesday to writing. Four months later, I held my completed first draft. Then life interrupted the flow of my creativity. All of the situations were valid, but they almost quenched the fire for my manuscript.

My feet were headed toward Quit City.

A talk with a trainer at the gym resulted in a plan evaluation. She worked out a new routine, which stopped the downhill slide. The sweeping changes motivated me to stay with the program.

Journaling through my late husband's illness kept the writing embers alive. When he rallied, one of the first things he did was encourage me to work on the book. He insisted I attend an upcoming writers' conference, saying it would do me good to take some time away from the daily pressures.

So, when the latest challenges threatened to sink my writing ship, I asked myself, "Where do I want to end up?" A change of routine, the support of others, and above all, prayer brought about renewed enthusiasm. Every worthy endeavor will hit stormy seas.

It's onward and upward toward Completion City.

8 comments:

Jessica Nelson said...

I'm so glad you're pressing on! What a great question to ask yourself, and that question is good in every area of life, I think.
I'm a firm believer in consequences, eternal and all. Every choice we make changes something (I think).
Great post, Susan. Wish I could meet you at the gym. My body is in sore need of a workout. LOL
If you ever need a beta read when you're finished revising, let me know. :-)

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

It seems like many of my blog friends, including me, are struggling with motivation to get back on track with their writing. Maybe this is like the flu going around! I pray that we all will recover quickly and completely and be feeling the joy of writing soon.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jess -

Yahoo! I worked for an hour and a half on my book this morning. One more step toward Completion City.

Thanks for offering to read my book. At this point, I have some major editing. While I'm a dyed-in-the-wool pantser, I think I'm going to take another chance with plotting on the next story. This has taken way too long to finish.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Donna -

Interesting concept - motivation flu. I wonder if there's a motivation flu vaccine out there.

Hmm, you've given me an idea for another post. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Terri Tiffany said...

Hurray! Keep pressing on:)) We all need to keep finding our motivation and not quit.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Terri -

I think I'd have an easier time if I could get on some kind of schedule. The whole time management thing is a challenge.

Thanks for your encouragement.

Blessings,
Susan :)

quietspirit said...

Susan:
I hope you continue on toward Completion City. I also have this time management issue. They talked about it in TWV2. I need to go back and re-read my saved comments.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Quiet Spirit -

I'm also on TWV2. I usually read their posts for the week all at one time.

For anyone out there unfamiliar with The Writers View 2, check it out. They have wonderful discussions. I've learned a lot.

Blessings,
Susan :)