Deconstructing Your Blocks
Posted: 11:32AM September 23rd, 2011 | Comments
Firstly, apologies if "your blocks" got you here thinking I'd be discussing your neighborhood. That's your business, not mine.
No, I was biting my nails because I needed to drop something in the blog bin and wasn't sure I had much to say -- who has anything interesting to say on Friday? A minor but sure form of writer's block. (DUN-dun-DUNNN)
Fortunately for me, one of my favorite bloggers gave me the alley-oop I needed. Check out Seth Godin's post ((here)) and come back when you're done.
Go ahead. I'll wait right here.
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Pretty good stuff, Mr Godin. Thanks for that. Gets me to thinking; writer's block is the direct product of rationalization. Like staying in bed and hitting the snooze button 3 times when you know you could get through the first section of the newspaper, or go for a jog. You're faced with something you know you ought to do, and you find the big, booming voice in your head saying "ORRRRR....."
Happens all the time. There's a great dialogue from the film "The Big Chill":
Michael: I don't know anyone who could get through the day without two or three juicy rationalizations. They're more important than sex.
Sam Weber: Ah, come on. Nothing's more important than sex.
Michael: Oh yeah? Ever gone a week without a rationalization?
Now for the "point" of this blog post, as I've noticed most decent blog posts have "points":
The cure for writer's block, as prescribed by Dr Godin, really is the same as that for climate apathy, for workplace doldrums, for despair of any kind, etc etc.
Take a small, public step in a forward direction. This puts you in motion, commits you, and also gives you a new vista from which to survey the territory you've just entered. Chances are you'll get more, not less, frustrated at the lack of progress. This is where you take a deep breath and keep from overcommitting. Just take another small, public step. [Cue ancient Chinese proverb about every great journey...]
There. I've gotten through a blog post. It even had a point. Now maybe I'll go dry my clothes on the line instead of using the electric dryer today.
[cue the big booming voice that says it looks like rain.....]
- Dan
