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We’re all mad here… Oh LOOK! The world has gone crazy

I get it. I’m not immune to everything that is going on in our world today – and I’m not going to pretend that I am. What I will do is bring you my best, PROVEN tips for still doing your writing when life is crazy.

After all, just because EVERYONE’S life is a madhouse at the moment doesn’t mean that you and I won’t experience our own personal “falling apart” times in the future too!

1. Relax
This period of craziness is temporary – so just relax into it. If you’re anything like me, crazy breeds crazy. Suddenly, on an overly busy week, I can’t stand [fill in the blank] one more second and it MUST go on this week’s to do list. For me, that’s often some non-urgent task like pulling weeds in my driveway or needing to organize the pantry.

So relax. Take a deep breath (you do have time for that!) and remember that it’ll be okay.

2. Plan
Your writing is a non-negotiable (right?) so just because life is crazy, you’re not going to let it slip. But you might need to modify your goals and expectations temporarily. Here’s a plan you can borrow: 3 sessions in the week, writing 15-minutes per session.

It’s a mini-plan – but no matter HOW crazed your week is, you can find 3 chunks of time for 15 minutes.

3. Renegotiate
Sometimes, the best thing to do is to ask for a change in the deadline, scope, etc. For the longest time, this felt like a copout or excuse to me – but once I started putting it into practice, asking for a win-win renegotiation can open up a lot of space and leave both parties happy and empowered. This can free up some of your bandwidth – either time or emotion – to refocus on what’s important and time critical.

Don’t succumb to excuse-itis, but asking for some flexibility is showing off your strength.

4. Do Something Else
*gasp* I said it… If you’re really overwhelmed by what is going on in the world right now, you have my permission to focus on something else for a while.

For some people, like me, writing is a way of shutting out EVERYTHING else and focusing in the moment. The sound and feeling of the pen sliding across the paper or the clackity-clack of my keyboard, the words appearing on the page, the flow of thoughts through my hands and into being – I can get lost in it.

For others, that isn’t enough of a distraction and you need something more all-encompassing. If you’re really struggling to compartmentalize your fears and worries, then DO THE THING that will help you compartmentalize. But own up to what you’re doing and be sure you’re not participating in self-sabotaging behaviors.

5. Invest in Yourself (And Plan For The Future!)
Now IS the time to invest in yourself – and who you’ll be in the future. It’s the time to buy that course and learn that skill. I totally get it that many of us are not only worried about the virus, but also about food (and TP) supplies, but ALSO about what is happening with our cash flow.

But stepping out in faith and investing in what you want is never a bad idea. You don’t have to be extravagant! But taking the step to buy that course and then DO IT is a powerful way of telling yourself that life carries on, you’re worth it, and Your Message Matters.

I recommend grabbing “The Book Idea Workbook” which is on a “The World Is NOT Ending” special price of $97 (normally $197). But It Here.

Or if you enroll in “Write Your Business-Building Memoir: Mining Your Mess to Share Your Message” – an all new small group training class co-led with best-selling author Holly Doherty – then you’ll get “The Book Idea Workbook” included! Learn More Here.

No matter what is going on, be sure that you’re keeping your momentum on your writing project even in the face of a world gone crazy.

Kim Galloway
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