Writers First Aid

Finding Energy to Pursue Goals

June 9, 2010

tired We hear a lot about setting writing goals. Do any of you have secret thoughts like these? Setting goals is great, but I don’t have the energy to pursue them or I’m already so exhausted that I can’t add one more thing to my life—even something I love.

Is that you? Then you’ve come to the right place.

Plug the Drains

Years ago I had a car that guzzled oil. I added a quart every Monday, but by Saturday the oil light was back on. It did no good to add oil without fixing the leak. The same holds true for your energy level. You can set goals, shore up your willpower, and grit your teeth, but you won’t have any more get-up-and-go until you plug your energy leaks.

We usually lose energy in two ways: enduring annoying or toxic behaviors in other people, and tolerating conduct in ourselves that is harmful (overeating, no exercise, over-due bills, or keeping a cluttered office.) One essential skill is learning how to set boundaries on yourself, such as: no sugar or caffeine before 5 p.m., bedtime by 10 p.m., straighten your desk when you quit work for the day, or pay bills the day they arrive.

You can also set and enforce boundaries with people who steal your energy. Limit your availability, for instance. If you have a cell phone, give the number only to those who really must have it. Your cell phone is to serve you—not the rest of the world. Other people can also drain us with their foul moods, irritating habits, and constant crises demanding our attention.

Learn to set boundaries in these situations; keep your energy inside (where it is useful) instead of spilling out on other people. Believe it or not, family members and friends can be expected to “fix” their own bad moods and self-created crises. (Memorize this: Lack of planning on their part does not constitute an emergency on my part.) If you need help with this essential relationship skill, read Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend.

Remember: the goal is to find more energy for your writing. You must plug the unnecessary energy drains first. Then you’ll be ready to recover your ability to function with ease.

Get in Shape

You’ll be tempted to skip this step, but I hope you won’t. It’s far more important than most writers realize. Just like you need to maintain your car (oil, spark plugs, belts, brakes) if you expect it to run smoothly, you need to maintain a healthy body if you expect to write in flow, enjoy your work, and be productive.

Are you health conscious? “I watch what I put into my body—no alcohol, drugs, caffeine,” says Sophy Burnham in For Writers Only. “I have become so sensitive to my body’s claims that now I actually often eat when hungry (imagine!), stop and lie down when tired. It has taken me years to learn to listen for those two simple demands, knowing that I write better when the machinery’s warmed up, oiled, clean.”

We all write better in that state. I encourage you to take a “health inventory” right now—and do whatever is necessary to turn you into a lean, clean writing machine.

Create Energy!

After you’ve plugged the leaks and kicked your health up a notch, it’s time to actually create energy instead of wasting it. If you have set (and enforced) boundaries on yourself and others, you’re no longer tied to energy-draining habits and situations. This should have freed up some time for you. Use that time wisely now—to create more energy in your life.

Nurturing activities create energy. So, what nourishes your soul and spirit? List activities (ten-minute activities, two-hour activities, half-a-day activities) that give you a real boost. This list will be very individual. For example, my list of energizers includes hot chocolate in my porch swing, photos of castles in England, Jane Austen movies, and journaling. Your energizing activities might be more social (going to the beach with your family) or more physical (running or snorkeling.) Whatever things energize you, incorporate them into your daily life.

Is All This Really Necessary?

Why the emphasis on making more energy? Without sufficient energy (both physical and mental) we won’t be creative writers. We’ll sound tired and bored, and writing will be an uphill struggle.

So…your assignment for the summer, should you choose to accept it, is:

Identify your energy drains.
Set boundaries with self and others, where necessary.
Make physical health an ongoing commitment.
Incorporate energizing activities into your daily life.

Then be ready for untapped sources of energy to bubble up!

Post tags: creativity, emotional balance, finding time, goals, health, self-care, success, time management, writing challenges

Posted in: boundaries,energy,families,goals,habits,toxic behavior,writing challenges | | Comments (12)

12 Comments »

What a great post. This is something I have been struggling with for a while now. I never have enough energy for my goals. Many times it is the emotional energy drain that is the worst. Thanks for the good info and challenge for the summer.

Comment by Maria Cisco — June 9, 2010 @ 8:05 pm
Maria, I totally agree with you. Over the past thirty years of writing, I would venture to say that it was emotional drains that took my writing energy about 85% of the time. Being upset about things drains energy itself, plus it tends to make us sit (not exercise), reach for chocolate (not veggies), and have insomnia (not sleep for eight hours.) Dealing with emotional drains once and for all (till the next one comes along!) has done more for my writing than any other one thing. Hang in there!

Comment by Kristi Holl — June 9, 2010 @ 8:15 pm
I give my ‘amen’ to this post! My morning sickness has reached its peak and I am so sick and so tired – I am finding it near impossible to find the desire to write! My current goal is to live one day at a time and TRY to write – even if it is just one five minute writing exercise that in no way pertains to my current project.

Comment by Andrea — June 9, 2010 @ 8:29 pm
Andrea, my hat goes off to you even trying to write at this time! But you’ll be amazed how much that five minutes daily of any writing exercise or journaling will keep your writing muscles in shape. It’s like keeping a clock wound, even if you don’t have the time exactly right at the moment. When you get a chance to fix the time, the clock will remember how to keep time. You’ll remember how to write that story too! Hope you feel better soon!

Comment by Kristi Holl — June 9, 2010 @ 11:40 pm
Great topic! In the last few weeks I got off my regular exercise routine blaming it on the allergy season. What a lame excuse. Now that I’m back to my routine of exercise once the kids go off to school my mental and physical outlook is much better!

Warm regards,
Donna

Comment by Donna McDine — June 10, 2010 @ 7:31 am
Donna, I did the same thing, but because of the heat and constant rain and not being able to be outside. I finally broke down and joined a gym two weeks ago. A great deal! Planet Fitness is only $10 a month and it’s nearby. And it’s air conditioned! A treat for this Texas heat. Now I can work all day and then go exercise and quit for the day. We need those physical routines to keep our mental faculties working!

Comment by Kristi Holl — June 10, 2010 @ 7:43 am
Thanks for the reminder, Kristi. Sometimes we think of the how-to’s of writing, but not the how-to’s of creating a healthy writing self that will produce the good writing.

Comment by Beth Mac — June 10, 2010 @ 8:26 am
Beth, I agree. I think it’s one of the most commonly overlooked solutions to “writer’s block.” Writing is more challenging physically than we imagine.

Comment by Kristi Holl — June 10, 2010 @ 9:00 am
Another aspect to energy loss: I am an introvert, which by definition means that I lose energy being around other people. I’ve GOT to have time alone, every day, significant chunks of it, with no interruptions or “nibbles” at me. Those who are extroverts gain energy when they’re with others, but lose it being alone. Of course, people have these traits to greater and lesser degrees (my introversion is very strong) but knowing which you are and honoring that need will increase your energy.

Comment by Nancy — June 10, 2010 @ 9:27 pm
Nancy, your comment deserves an entire blog post of its own. I think many writers are introverts, needing time in solitude to recharge. Crowds–even small gatherings–drain me too. I love people and I love conversation–but then I have to get alone to recover. You’re wise to realize that and just do it! So often we’re married to the opposite type of person, and that can be a real adjustment for both people!

Comment by Kristi Holl — June 10, 2010 @ 10:01 pm
Those toxic people around us are so draining, and so hard to get rid of. Ignoring them is a full-time job some days (which also drains energy). I’m thinking of buying a cone of silence! Or maybe creating one in my imagination.
But I’m also now looking at ways to simply not be in their space.

Comment by Sherryl — June 10, 2010 @ 10:52 pm
Sherryl, I used to dream of owning a sound-proof booth that I could step into when needed! Giving ourselves permission to take time away from draining people is critical. Being able to set internal boundaries–keeping out the negative and keeping the positive inside–is also critical. I did a ten-week study earlier this year on internal and external boundary setting that was so helpful.

Comment by Kristi Holl — June 11, 2010 @ 7:54 am