March 24, 2010

[Suggestion: first read  Attention! (It's a Choice)]

I had only one New Year’s Resolution this year: become consistent.

I was a yo-yo dieter, yo-yo exerciser, yo-yo writer, and yo-yo studier. I knew what to do in each area. Lack of knowledge wasn’t the problem. In each case my problem was consistency (or lack thereof).

What’s Wrong with Us?

Why don’t we consistently give our attention to the things that matter and are worthy of our attention?

When growing up, some parent or teacher was always snapping at us to pay attention. If we didn’t pay attention, we might cross the street in the path of a car, or miss important questions on an exam. Paying attention has always been important–even critical.

So why do we resist paying attention to the things that we claim really matter to us, like our writing (and our health which impacts our ability to write)? The reason is hidden in the phrase pay attention. Attention is a payment you make. It implies a price, a cost. And it’s a price we aren’t always willing to pay.

Is It Worth the Cost?

The true reason we don’t pay more attention to our writing and writing-related activities is because it will cost us something. We’ll have to give up some short-term pleasure that has captured our attention–and this payment feels like a loss. It costs us something.

“It is this cost associated with paying attention to the right things that makes it so difficult to do.” (The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley) In addition, we know we won’t see any results until sometime in the future. We have been conditioned to want immediate gratification.

Short- plus Long-Term Rewards

I don’t know about you, but when I make the choice to pay attention to my writing (and give up the distractions), I feel better very soon. It boosts my self-esteem, for some reason, and I again feel like a “real writer.” 

The loss associated with turning off the TV or getting off the Internet is very momentary. We make it a bigger deal than it is. Turning back to your writing or studying brings a satisfaction writers can’t get anywhere else. Pay attention to your writing for both daily joys and long-term satisfaction.

4 Comments »

1. 

   Today’s entry really resonated with me. For the past two nights, I have succumbed to the lure of instant gratification – TV. I couldn’t seem to pull myself away to get to some much needed revision for an article that is on a deadline. I grappled with every excuse to just stay put on the couch. Of course, I went to bed angry with myself for not turning off the TV. After reading your blog today, I am going to TURN IT OFF, knowing that I will feel better once I’m in my office doing some much needed work.

   Comment by Mark B — March 24, 2010 @ 12:40 pm

2. 

   Mark, thanks for such an honest entry! I have the same problem a lot. Getting started is such a mental mind game sometimes, isn’t it? Yes, all the things we do when procrastinating don’t bring satisfaction at all. And yet, those same things (like a good movie) are very satisfying when used as a reward for getting the writing done. First things first though!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — March 24, 2010 @ 5:22 pm

3. 

   I agree completely. Writing “costs” me a clean house, a home-cooked meal, an evening watching tv, but NOT writing costs me satisfaction, peace, a sense of pride. Now, that’s a price I’m not willing to pay. Thanks for the reminder.

   Comment by Suzanne — March 24, 2010 @ 8:04 pm

4. 

   Suzanne, I love the way you think! NOT writing has a much higher cost, and that’s the truth of it. It’s something we need to remind ourselves of–often!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — March 24, 2010 @ 8:23 pm

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