Tag Archives: Writing

I’m Writing A Book

Yep. You read it correctly. I’m. Writing. A. Book.

If fact, I’m planning to write more than one book. For now though, we’ll focus on the first book.

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As most of you know, my life changed last year when I was let go from my job. The time off helped me realize I was limiting myself. I was solely focused on work. A deep down love of writing came to the surface during my brief time off from employment. I love to write. And now, I have something to say.

This first book has been pushing itself to the surface for months. I’ve tried to ignore it while sketching out a plan for a different book, but this book is quite pushy. It needs to be first. It needs to see the light of day before I go on to the next one (which was going to be first).

What is so very important it can’t wait to be published? Encouragement. Inspiration. Filling people up. Pouring myself into others in order to bless them and encourage them in their every day lives and in their Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAG)!

Here are a couple of topics I plan to cover:

Don’t pick the people to fill, simply work on emptying what I’ve been given.
How do I fill my own cup so I have more to pour out? i.e. Refilling my cup
Encouragement includes planting seeds you may not see grow to maturity.
Can you encourage, inspire, refresh, pour into others through social media? Twitter, FB, Pinterest, Blogging, etc.? Or, are these solely “in person” activities?

What are your thoughts on the topic? Opinions?

I look forward to hearing from you. I may even ask to use your thoughts in the book.
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Now for some accountability.

My target date for publishing this book is January 1, 2015. While I’m sure you all have an opinion on the time frame I’m presenting, I’m not looking for your opinion. But, I’d love to have your support. Some days I am freaked out by the lack of time with which I’ve presented myself. Other days, when the words are flowing freely, I believe it’ll be a breeze to finish up by New Year’s Day. I’d love your support to keep me accountable. I’m not sure how I’ll gather your encouragement. Maybe through email with a select few, maybe with a closed Facebook group, but I really do want to hear from you along the way.

Keep your eyes on this site, and if you’d like, leave a comment in this post telling me you’d be interested in a more personal involvement in seeing this project come to fruition.

Thanks for all your support so far! Here we go!!

Productivity and Opportunity

7 Replies

Productivity is a funny thing. It comes and goes. For me lately, it has gone. Too often I find myself thinking I’ve lost productivity. I sit and dwell on the thought. I ponder it. And, I lose even more. The minutes tick by while I zone out, or while I stare off into the beautiful sky. The HOURS stampede passed while I stare at the TV.

http://writerchrisholmes.com

We all, at one time or another, wonder why we let time pass without getting things done. Chores, projects, blog posts, research, books, work, etc. It happens to every one of us.

What would it look like if we could take back even a small amount of the time we waste every day?

Off and on I’ve attempted to become a member of a unique club. I enjoy my membership. It is similar to being a member of a gym. When I’m there and working out, I love it. I love the idea of it even more. But, many times I fall back into non-membership.

The club I’m in and out of doesn’t cost me any money up front. I do believe it is costing me money on the back-end. Weird club huh? It only costs me money if I don’t show up.

Not showing up certainly costs me more than money.

I am on a journey to change my life. I have a desire, and a call, to write about my life. Eventually I’d like to stand up in front of people and speak about my life too. By not making a daily appearance at this interesting club, I fall short of moving forward with my writing, researching, planning, preparing, and general growth.

So, tomorrow morning, on my day off, I will once again make an attempt to regain membership into this club. The club doesn’t cost me monetarily if I show up. It costs me in far greater ways if I don’t. It costs you too. If you are reading this post, my inability to be a consistent member of this interesting club, costs you my words. This may sound egotistical, but I have proof from people in the form of comments and conversations, that my words do in fact matter and make an impact.

#5Club

Tomorrow I begin again.

Do you struggle with productivity?
What actions do you take, or would you like to take, to be more productive?

#Next3Decades

Pondering

6 Replies

Q: Is it possible to be over coached?

A few months ago I wrote this question down after a counseling session. I had begun counseling a few months earlier and had been through many sessions. Very good sessions. But, my therapist seemed at a roadblock of sorts. I was right there with him. The progress we had experienced at the start of our sessions had slowed dramatically. It wasn’t that the sessions were useless, but more like they needed to be spread out over a longer period of time. At the beginning the progress we made was extraordinary. It was obvious the deep need for me to see a professional was there. On the second or third visit a big breakthrough was made. It was like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. You can read about it HERE.

For a number of sessions after the huge breakthrough, we discussed a wide variety of items, actions, plans, homework, etc. But, I was anxious. I was hopeful. I was anticipating the next big breakthrough. What was going to come next? The first big release was incredible! I wanted it to happen again. We kept at it for a while. At the end of one session he said those words I didn’t want to hear.

“What if there isn’t another big thing?”

I understood. We were trying hard to dig some more crap out of a place that didn’t necessarily have any more to give. Now what do we do?

Well, now we don’t see each other as often. Instead of every week, or every other week, the appointments are more along the lines of once a month. Sometimes even 5 or 6 weeks apart. We had come to the conclusion that I was being over coached. Too many instructions were being given in an attempt to find something. It was time for me to do the work on my own.

For me, working on my own revolves around reading, writing, talking, and thinking. A better way to put it might look like this: Pondering over ideas and potential actions.

Ponder. I like the word. I think it describes my preferred mode of operation. I like to take my time with an idea. I’m certainly not the knee jerk reaction let the words fly, kind of guy. I’d rather chew on a topic for a bit.

I’m a slow reader. Deliberate. Intentional. I like to let the ideas in a book, and the words of a sermon or speech, sink in and stew. I typically do this when I write too. I’ll jot down some notes, write a few paragraphs, and then let it sit for a while. Sometimes the longer an idea stews, the better it becomes. The clarity of the words comes into a much sharper focus.

Do you ponder? Do you jump right in?
I’d love to hear about your methods. Let me know in the “Comments” section. Join the conversation.
#Next3Decades