Location, Location, Location!

Grad school is monotonous sometimes.  It is fast-paced, but that speed does not always mean the requirements are new, interesting, or engaging.  Oftentimes along this journey, I feel run-down, overwhelmed, and disenchanted.  I have to remind myself that if it were easy, everyone would do it.  But, how can I temporarily overcome the bored, lackluster feelings so I can be productive?

To compound these feelings, I have lost enthusiasm for my favorite coffee shop.  I have loved this coffee shop for years, but it has become too popular, too unreliable, and too familiar.  While I love routines, I also have a longing for change to keep my brain stimulated.  Now, when I go to my favorite coffee shop, I see too many people I know, I find that the wireless Internet connection is hit or miss, and I just feel "blah" about the whole excursion.

Many of my grad school friends have gotten into the habit of telling each other when we are going to work in order to maintain accountability.  I have to admit, that while this started off positive for me, it is yet another thing that has made me less productive.  I'm an introvert.  I need my space and quiet time.  Yesterday, I felt very unmotivated and decided to try a mini experiment to squelch some of my negativity and concerns during this crazy-busy time.  I went to work at a new place and didn't tell a soul where I was headed.  It turned out to be the most productive three-hour time slot I have had in a long time.  I accomplished my entire daily to-do list, was completely motivated, and enjoyed my work.

Sometimes, motivation comes in the oddest forms.  For me, it was location.  A new location.  Fresh ideas.  No interruptions.  I got to work my own way, in my own style without the constant, unchanging eyes of my peers watching and judging that I am accomplishing enough.  It was pure bliss.  I feel that this experiment will be continued later this week with a new location - until I find a new permanent place.  Hopefully, it will serve coffee. :)

Where do you find your inspiration?

Inspiration: the desire to do something

This is my personal definition of inspiration.  Things that inspire me drive me to do something to the best of my ability.  In writing, inspiration is one of the key factors to success.  Without it, we fail as writers.  With it, we can accomplish a great deal.  Here is what inspires me with my writing:

1. Giving feedback

I absolutely love giving feedback to my peers!  Not only do I get to read other people's writing and see their faces light up with I praise them or give them a good suggestion, but I learn so much about writing, in general, through the process.  I have never given feedback to someone without walking away going, "I never really thought to say it this way," or "I liked how that person used this word [or phrase, or format, etc.]".  Bottom line - giving feedback fuels me with more tools to improve my own writing.  Plus, the warm, fuzzy feeling of helping someone be more successful isn't too bad either.

2. Getting feedback

This one is a little more scary for me.  It's downright nerve-racking sometimes to ask for feedback on something I have poured my heart and soul into.  In the back of my mind, I am always thinking, "This is the time they are going to realize that I'm a fraud and have no clue what I'm doing.  It will finally show".  I'm sure many people experience this nagging feeling of inadequacy.  With that thought reeling in my mind, nothing makes me happier or fuels my fire to write than hearing, "This is so clear!" or "You are such a creative writer" or some other derivative of positive feedback.  Even the smallest word of praise goes a long way.

3. Passion

Without a doubt, this one is the easiest inspiration to find.  If I am passionate about something, my desire and ability to write skyrocket.  Students.  Writing.  Reading.  My life.  My family.  Things that make me mad.  Things that make me happy.  Divine interventions.  These are easy topics for me to write about.  I can whip out notes, emails, blogs, papers, presentations, poems, short stories, or reviews at the drop of a hat for things I'm passionate about.  The trick with this, though, is to find something I'm passionate about even with writing I'm not passionate about (what I refer to as "silver linings").  

What inspires you to write? 

And remember (in honor of the title and subtitle to this blog): 

1. We're all just living on a prayer. 

2. Don't stop believing. 

Slowing Down Continued...

17.05 hours

That is what my April writing log claims is my running total as of 7:05PM on Sunday, April 7th.

In my last post I gave a list of the things I did Saturday morning rather than writing...well, no wonder my dog needed to be walked, my house was a mess, and I needed a break.  It's only been a week into April and I have written about half as much as I did all of March.  I've accomplished a helluva lot, but I'm a bit tired.  I'm very proud of myself for being so disciplined, especially when I can't figure out where an additional 17 hours of writing time came from this week. 

Silver Linings! :) 

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Slowing Down

Earlier this week, a professor of mine wrote a wonderful blog post about slowing down.  This semester I made the classic mistake of biting off more than I can chew and as a result, I've been struggling.  The silver lining is that I am writing more now than ever before, and it is pretty decent quality.  The not-so-silver lining is that I feel like I cannot get caught up.  After reading the post about slowing down, I decided to give it a try.

My to-do list for this weekend says:

Finish statistics summative exam

review article for a journal

finish rough draft of statistics paper

begin drafting methods section of content analysis paper (visit it for 1 hour)

complete edits for VFM manuscript

grade lesson plans my students turned in

read chapters for classes

upload quizzes to course website

review proposals for conference

(Please excuse my random short-hand.)

It's 3:21pm on Saturday and what have I done this weekend?

Answer: 

Went to the OPAS show of The Phantoms of the Opera and had a girls night last night

Did my grocery shopping for the week

Cleaned my house

Walked my dog

Did laundry

Had a 45-minute phone conversation with my best friend

Spent 2 hours revamping my blogs

Did at least one of those items include writing?  Yes.  Do I feel accomplished?  Absolutely.  Am I happy with the outcome?  You better believe it. 

I slowed down this weekend, took care of myself and my well-being, and I feel refreshed and ready to tackle some of that to-do list.  :)