Getting Started Again

 by Jeanette R. Harrison, MPH

You know that scene in the movie where the writer gets inspired, takes off the cover of the typewriter, blows the dust out of the keys, and starts click-clacking away? This is that moment for me. I feel like I haven't written anything in months. Not on this blog anyway. I'm not sure where I am taking this today, we will see where this post takes us. 

At times, the hardest part of moving toward a goal is starting or even restarting. I look at my laptop every day. It takes that one moment, that one morning, like today, that says, "I should start writing on my website again today." Maybe it also takes that one word of encouragement from a friend, a coworker, a neighbor, a client, or maybe a family member to get you going again. 

Photo by Jeanette R. Harrison, MPH

In this case, I was already writing. I had written for years. What stopped me? What thwarted my efforts? What demotivated me? Who influenced me in such a way that stopped me from moving toward my goals? What beliefs were limiting my progress? The answers to these questions will help you move forward with your goals.

I stopped writing because I let my writing be about what someone else thought. Not about me, not about what I was doing, not about my objectives. My efforts were thwarted by listening to that voice that made writing stressful for me. The voice that tried to make my writing about them and only them, when it really is about a lot of people. The demotivating factor was that I felt like I was being chastised for my writing. That I was somehow wrong, especially after writing a post about how writing can be stressful for me. The individuals in question latched onto that, and they exacerbated my stress regarding it. Those influencing me weren't complete strangers, because the opinions of complete strangers are not usually what demotivates us regarding anything. People close to me were demotivating me. The limiting beliefs I held were that their opinions were more important than my own. That what they thought was above anything I would write about or do.

How did I overcome it? I had little motivational moments along the way. I saw a colleague post about her goals to write 50 blog posts in a row and 100 posts this year. I thought, "Good for her! I could never do that!" Then, I asked myself, "Why not? Why couldn't I write 100 blog posts or more by the end of the year?" There was nothing stopping me but myself. Another motivational moment happened when I discovered my first book, "Cases for Developing Healthcare Leaders," was posted on WalMart.com. I felt validated for my writing in at least a small way, and I was motivated to start writing again. The final motivational push was from a colleague telling me I should journal. To me, the posts for this blog are forms of journaling about health matters.

What does writing have to do with health? Writing has a lot to do with health. In nearly every one of my books, I encourage writing for you to put pen to paper, thoughts into action about your health, the intentions into goals. That is also why I write. To move forward with my goals and to keep moving toward those goals.

When you are feeling stuck, try this method to "unstick" yourself. See if it works for you. Get back to doing you again.