“Passion, not pedigree, will win in the end.”
Bon Jovi
There’s a story that my friend Coach Mike Tully and Gary Pritchard tell in their inspiring guide, 10 Things Great Coaches Know, about a well-known sports writer. This writer “took infinite care with every story. People marveled at his attention to detail and how much of himself he sacrificed to make his story just the way he wanted it. One day someone asked him what motivated him. He said, ‘Every time I write a story, I imagine that a Broadway star is going to be reading it tomorrow.’”
Motivation comes in all shapes and sizes. And for us as writers, self-motivation is the name of the game: It’s the wellspring of our words — the headlongedness that pushes us to the desk and from word to word and paragraph to paragraph.
Sometimes motivation is dressed in the grand guise of a mission — something big and lofty that we’re aiming at, some distant goal that we are moving toward, word by word. But most of the time, motivation comes dressed in overalls. It’s about how we work day in and day out: what kind of energy we’re willing to pull out of ourselves even when we’re feeling tired or discouraged.
To stick with the sports imagery, the key to motivation isn’t focusing on a “big game,” it’s about putting passion and intent into our everyday practice. It’s about coming to the page ready to play — and willing to handle the fumbles, the fouls, the upsets, the false starts, the disappointments, the lost opportunities. Mostly, it’s about digging deep, especially on those days when the well of inspiration seems to be dry. It’s about writing on, even when we feel like giving up.
For more inspiring thoughts about discipline, practice, mental preparation, and peak performance, check out Coach Mike Tully’s terrific site: http://www.TotalGamePlan.com.
Wow Karin! I feel like a very lazy, writing slob. Wanna come be my life/career/makes me write coach?
Hi Ciaran,
I know the feeling! Sometimes we just need a real kick in the pants to keep going.
I could use a “life/career/makes me write coach” myself! Hope my posts are
keeping you inspired and motivated. Please feel free to share them with any
other writers you know — the more the merrier!
Write on!
Karin
Hi Ciaran,
I know the feeling! I could use a life coach/career, make me write coach” myself. Maybe we can work something out! Thanks so much for checking in — I just love to hear from you.
Write on! Karin
I love your thought that motivation sometimes comes in overalls. Coming to the page ready to play, despite fumbles and missteps. That’s where I’m at right now, and your words brought much encouragement. Thank you.
Hi June,
Thanks so much for your note. So glad my words encouraged you —
and thank you for encouraging me with your comment. It means
a lot to me when I hear that something I’ve written is helping
another writer — that’s what my blog is all about! I hope you’ll
share with with other writers you know – the more readers
the merrier! Please check in again anytime — would love to
hear how you’re doing.
Write on!
Karin
Karin,
I’ve subscribed to your blog and will absolutely spread the word. I’m just getting my own blog, The Neurosis Files, up and running. You’ll be one of the first on my blogroll. If you’d like to take a peek–I have to warn you, it’s a humble start–I’m at http://www.juneohara.wordpress.com. Regardless, I enjoy your posts. You’ve found a reader in me.
June