How I Get Writing When I Lack Inspiration

Today has been a struggle.

I’m suffering from a severe lack of sleep and I can’t seem to think straight. I think I’ve already been staring at this computer screen for 15 minutes. Lost in space. Physically unable to put my fingers on the keyboard and start typing. I don’t think my body and my mind are connecting today.

Besides my own personal memoirs, I’m pretty new to this writing game. So it’s definitely been a challenge trying to figure out how to overcome my emotional roadblocks and keep writing, even when I have no inspiration.

Here are a few tips I’ve come up with to get my mind flowing into the writing stage:

Set the tone. If it’s time to get writing, I like to take a few minutes to set up my “writing area” if you will. I personally like some nice smooth jazz in the background. (I’ve discovered that words with lyrics tend to confuse me when I’m writing.) I also like to make sure I have something to drink (which eliminates the risk of using the “I need something to drink” excuse when I should be writing). Hot tea or coffee really seem to do the trick. Then I try to minimize as many distractions as I can. If I’ve set the mood for writing, I feel more inspired to do so.

Schedule the time. I’m working on a post right now that shares my new goals for this side hustle business, but to give you a sneak peek, one of my first goals was to schedule time to write. I’m kind of a schedule junkie, so I know if I want to really make this work, I need to make it a priority. How else can I start a business without putting in the time? So I know that every workday at lunch time, I’ll be writing for 45 minutes. I’ll also be working on writing/furthering my freelance business every Monday and Thursday evening for an hour or so after the kiddos go to bed. It helps to look ahead and know, it’s time to write, whether I feel like it or not.

Shut off electronics. Oh Facebook... HOW MUCH TIME DO I WASTE ON YOU A DAY? I’m actually not sure I want to know that answer. Gah. This little blue button on my phone causes me much distraction at random points throughout the day. So shutting off my phone entirely or removing it helps me focus on the task at hand. This kind of goes along with point number 1 - Set the tone for writing. No Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Snapchat during writing time!

Utilize any inspiration that exists. Today I was planning to write more about my goals, but staring at the page just left me bored. I wasn’t in the mood to rearrange, edit, and explain some of my points. I could have said screw it and went along with my day, skipping over writing time. Instead, I decided to write about something else that seemed more interesting to me in that moment. I mean really, what could be more fun that writing about overcoming not wanting to write? ;)

Be proud of getting it done. I like to celebrate the fact that I accomplished my goal! I might have written complete gibberish in dire need of drastic editing tomorrow, but at least I got it started. Cross that task off the list. The writing will come easier tomorrow now that I’ve pushed through this tough day.

So there you have it: 5 tips to move my mind from what is this writing thing to it’s time to write - let’s get it done.

Why 2016 Will Be My Year of Career Change

Today I’m sharing some career information about me that I haven’t shared with anyone. Ok yes, I’ve mentioned it to the hubs and the bestie, Amanda, but not really in as much detail as I’m going to share today. Today I’ve decided to put myself out there and be vulnerable for a minute (or 5).

Ready? *Deep breath* Ok, here goes…

Today I believe I have discovered my career calling.

Aaaand I just realized that this may only seem super exciting to me and not to the rest of the internet world. :) However, I’ve never put all my thoughts into one place, so now seems like a good time.

Here’s the deal: For as long as I can remember, I’ve just kind of floated by with my career. I worked a few jobs in high school that I would never pursue a career in (though unlimited soft serve from the local DQ is tempting…) so when I began college, I started with an audacious major: UNDECIDED. After my first year and some lazy gen-ed’s, I decided it was time to make a commitment. So I went into what I thought I should: Marketing / Business Administration. It was pretty broad - I liked some things, and strongly disliked some others (Hello, economics), but I graduated, and took my first job. After all, that’s the plan, right? Get your Bachelor’s degree then find some way to pay back those student loans.

Since graduation from college back in 2009, I’ve taken 3 different jobs. Once for a location change, and once because it was an honest step-up and provided a great chance to learn some new things. But over the past few years, I just could not deny this feeling of wanting to strike out on my own. Especially when my beautiful children came along. Now there is a tug at my heartstrings more than ever to have a more flexible schedule doing something that I love.

Let me be clear, my current job is nice! The people I work with are great and the bosses are flexible when family time comes into play. But do you ever have that feeling like, this just isn’t IT? I’m dropping my kids off at daycare to do…. what? What am I doing? Am I doing something that will change the world (or even just someone)? Or am I doing work that earns me a paycheck so we can afford to live comfortably?

Tough questions. And I don’t take them lightly. It’s been about a almost two years now since I really started searching for answers. Here’s what I’ve done in my search to find my calling:

1. Prayer. I personally believe God has a very specific plan for all of us. From before we were born, he’s tagged us. Do you have any idea how hard it is to know that but not know what you’ve been tagged with? It’s rough. I figured the best way to discover my calling was to go right to the source. So I’ve spent a great deal of time in prayer, asking God to show me what it is he’s made me to do.
2. Focused in on my WHY. I knew my next career goal needed to be working for myself, but I needed to remember my primary reasons for making this change. So here were my 3 reasons for wanting to strike out on my own:
1. More time with family. Most important priority right here. My kiddos are only with me for 18 years, so I don’t want to miss a thing! I need something that’s flexible and allows for more time with them.
2. I want to make a difference in the world. It doesn't have to be a galactic difference, I just want my work to have meaning. Even if what I’m doing only helps one person, let me help that person!
3. I want my personal income to help provide for my family so we are able to meet the financial goals my husband and I have set: We want to help pay for our kids’ college, and we want to be able to travel and take vacations as a family. My income needs to contribute to that, and with the added flexibility, I would have a win/win!
3. Set a goal for 2016. My actual goal reads: “Have a part-time side hustle developed, functioning, and earning money by December 31, 2016.” I also included a monetary goal to earn $1,000 by the end of the year from this side job. This would give me the whole year and plenty of time to not rush, and really discover what it is I’m meant to do - Then get everything going - Then bring in the dough. P.S. What I really want by the end of 2016 is a MacBook. That’s undecidedly what my first $1000 is going to. :)
4. Researching - Trying - Failing - Trying again. A lot of my search can be attributed to trial and error. I’ve looked into an Alterations business (discovered I loathe seamstress work), started not one, but two different blogs (choosing niche’s that weren’t a good fit), and tried a project I could sell on Etsy (which totally flopped). I could take the negative route and focus on these foiled business attempts, or I could rejoice in the fact that these can now be crossed of my list of viable options, amongst other options I won’t even mention.

Whew. Ok, that was a lot of info. But it all helps lead up to today.

Today I’m going to begin a new venture: Freelance Writing. I’ve tried and failed at other options in the past (obviously) but I’ve always felt drawn to writing. So for me, this venture just seems right. I don’t remember feeling this excited or like there were so few cons in any other venture I’ve tried.

I feel so relaxed to write on my own blog now. Sharing my voice without being too worked up about having “products” to sell. I want to sell my knowledge and writing voice in order to help others who are in need of help when it comes to the written word.

Yes, this is definitely the best idea I’ve had yet. I can not wait to see where this road takes me. More updates to follow!