1000 Words
1000 words a day.
1000 words a day is my new practice. My “practice” is a direct reference to Seth Godin’s magical book ‘The Practice’ — where I show up and do my work for the work's sake instead of being attached to an outcome. This practice is hard work. Especially in this age of constant validation with views, likes, comments…gah! It is easy to get bogged down with thoughts about screaming into the void and asking myself the question: what am I doing this for? But, at the same time, I am also deeply grateful for this digital age of connection because I have furthered my writing practice more than in any time of my life because I spent the last year connecting with other creatives through workshops online. It was the Creative’s Workshop by Akimbo created by Seth Godin that the book ‘the Practice’ is based on and I participated in that workshop summer/fall of 2020. Through the work in that space, I finally pulled the trigger on this Medium page, that I had been contemplating and planning for at least a year. Creating space for me and where I could read other folks' amazing work (there are so many great writers here!) and have a space to call my own, a place to share my work. Because keeping it to myself is not the point.
So, back to 1000 words a day. I have committed to 2 weeks of writing at least 1000 words — no excuses. I am on day 7. It is hard but it is not hard. Does that make sense? Likely not, so let me explain. When I sit and stare at the blank page I have opened to write my 1000 words, all good sense leaves me. I struggle with thoughts that everything I write will suck or I will go off on tangents. Both of those things are true and happen regularly. But once I get going and the words start to flow I realize that this is just one step of many and the act of getting the words and stories and characters out of my head and onto the page is intoxicating and invigorating. When I finish the 1000 words, sometimes struggling to get to that word count and other times flying over the finish line and continuing on until the story runs out or I get hungry, I feel like I’ve just run a marathon! I feel so damn good. The stories in my head now have the first signs of growth, the seeds have been planted and from there they can flourish but only if I give them time and attention. So, 1000 words a day. I set the goal at two weeks because I was going days without writing. Again, Seth Godin showed up in my inbox (as he does every day) with the perfect call to action. Set a date to get something done and start there. So, two weeks — 1000 words a day. I’m making a habit. Tending those seeds. Whichever metaphor works. I’m getting it done. Then it will be pulling it together to present to my audience but for now this habit is pushing me forward.
What habits help you push through resistance?
