I was in a deep coaching conversation with a talented writer who said he wasn’t writing enough.

Feeling really disappointed in himself, he was reportedly doing any number of productive things with his time, but he wasn’t getting “enough” of his work done. I asked him what the writing tasks were and he listed them. He had some deadlines coming up. Then I asked him what it would take to move through all that.

This is a deceptively simple question. And the answer for so many of us hovers around “Just do the work”. And if we could just do it, we’d be doing it. Something’s getting in the way.

Whatever you call this space (writers block, procrastination, fear) – it’s a common space for those of us who put words on the page. Yes, there are tasks and actions and we can (if we have the skills) “project manage” ourselves through the tough spots. Pushing through is possible.

But there’s another way: cultivating a feeling along with the doing.

There’s what we want to accomplish and there’s how we want to BE as we accomplish the tasks.

We explored this in our talk – and it became obvious: there was a sense of gentleness, playfulness and fun that this writer had forgotten about. What would it be like to sprinkle some of that over his to-do list? Rather than zeroing in on the task, we explored the atmosphere around it.

What did he want the writing to feel like? Would music stimulate him? Candles? How about writing in a cozy spot? A favorite chair? Would it help to work outdoors? In his pajamas? We  brainstormed around what might be ideal. I reminded him that there’s no right or wrong, there’s only what feels good.

Then we focused on intention. What energy would he be passing on to readers through the work? What gifts was he hoping to share? Was there a spiritual / energetic impetus that got him started down this road in the first place? What might he affirm, proclaim or post on his wall to remind him of his initial inspiration?

And after the writing? How about a series of rewards? Would a walk, a cookie, exercise feel like a celebration of a job well done? Maybe hearing a favorite podcast or watching a fun TV show, or going to the theater would serve as a reminder that he showed up for the work. Would he be willing to enlist an action-partner – someone to check in with before and after the day’s pages were done?

With those ideas dancing around him, a way forward emerged.

Setting those things would serve as a blessing for the journey. It would be a way of cheering himself on. It would remind him of how he wants to BE as an artist – and then allow him to step into that way of being.

The shift was palpable when we got off the call. And later he reached out. He was writing more an was going well.

​​​​​​​Where can you expand your vision of how you do what you do?

Count the ways. Write them down. Lean into them.

And let me know how it changes your writing process. I can’t wait to hear your story.