The Problem is Believing

The biggest problem I face when participating in a writing challenge is overcoming the belief that I can do it.

Yes, you heard me right. I’ve jumped into writing challenges half a dozen times in the last couple years thinking, “This won’t be too bad. I can do this.” And that’s about the extent of my preparation. In each case, I did not complete the goal. Oh, I came close a couple times. But I disappointed myself every time.

I’ve found a clue as to why this happens. I’ve been training for the last seven months to run my first half marathon in November. The first day I was excited because the training would be sooo easy – run for 60 seconds, then walk for 90 seconds, eight times in a row. No problem. After the first 60-second run, I almost quit! If I hadn’t already convinced my husband to train with me, I would have limped home and returned to my exercise-free work zone!

Compare that first day’s “no problem” attitude to yesterday when I woke up thinking, “God help me, I don’t know if I can do this.” I spent the next 45 minutes talking myself into getting out of bed (a good start) and running 11 miles. I reminded myself I’d done it once before. I visualized the finish line – my driveway – with lots of imaginary friends cheering as I finished. I begged God to run with me and keep my mind busy with anything other than aching muscles or counting off how many miles I had left to run. (Too desperate to just ask, only begging satisfied my need for HELP.) And I made it! I ran my 11 miles.

Turns out, there is a method in there for me. During last year’s NaNo – my first – I started my days in much the same way. I told myself that daydreaming about the book in bed was not the same as writing it. I reminded myself that I loved the story I was working on. I thought about how great it would be to hear my friends – particularly my husband – congratulate me for writing 50,000 words in a month. I’d finished other novels; I could finish this one. And I begged God to help me stay at my computer and keep my mind in my imaginary world. (Again with the begging God – another pattern emerges!) And I made it! I wrote over 50,000 words in 30 days.

It’s said that your biggest strength taken to extremes is your biggest weakness. I absolutely believe this is true, for us and for our characters. My biggest strength is my positive attitude. But when I’m overconfident (can you say, “Detroit Pistons?”) I don’t force myself to stick to a disciplined approach to the task. And I end up failing more often than not.

Last year I “won” during NaNoWriMo because I wasn’t sure I could do it and I really wanted to work hard to see if I could. This year, I’m a little afraid that overconfidence will be my biggest weakness and I’ll fail.

Stephanie has found that having a deadline makes her the most productive. I’m finding that just a tiny bit of fear that I can’t do it works far better than the absolute belief that I can. It makes me work harder.

What about you? What is your biggest strength? When taken to the extreme, what weakness do you have? How can you combat it to create more productive routines in your writing? What will you do differently in November? Let us know!