An entrepreneur is someone who will go over, under, around, and through any obstacle they encounter on the path to realizing their dream. Obstacles actually ignite their ingenuity — their inner wellsprings of resourcefulness. Let’s think like entrepreneurs!
We hit all roadblocks in our writing: lack of focus, procrastination, too much research, too little time, a thorny plot point, lackluster dialogue. Any of these can affect the quality and quantity of the work we produce. It takes resourcefulness — and lots of it — to find a way beyond whatever barriers life or our own inner doubts throw at us.
Here’s the good news: Every time we overcome a barrier, however big or small, it increases our confidence in our creative resourcefulness. Success breeds success: the more problems and roadblocks we blast through, the more prepared we are the next time around.
We homo sapiens are by definition a resourceful crew: how else would we have survived and thrived? Consider the Paiutes, who lived in the Great Basin of the American West, a region so desolate it made permanent settlements impossible. The Paiutes wandered over vast stretches of land in small bands. Moving constantly and living on meager resources, these roving bands still found ways to express themselves creatively.
In fact, the Paiutes became the finest basket weavers in the world. They wove grass baskets so artfully and so tightly they could carry water for long distances in them without any type of seal. Highly durable, these baskets were incredibly beautiful.
Some time today, we’re all going to hit some sort of obstacle in our writing. Instead of being discouraged, let’s become deeply engaged; instead of being tripped up, let’s tap into our inner wellsprings of creative resourcefulness. Instead of getting frustrated, let’s get fascinated—as my friend and mentor Rob Gilbert* says. Write on!
* Check out Dr. Gilbert’s fabulous free Success Hotline at 973-743-4690!
