The question that bites.
Why do people persist at anything?
Why run, or write or take photos year in year out? For fun?
What if you want more than just a good time? What if you want to take your chosen pursuit to the next level? What keeps you going then?
Why do people STAY?
If you are a writer don't you need a reason to stay at it day in day out? Maybe yes.... and then recently I was watching my favorite TV show and now I think maybe the best reason you can have is... because you want to stay.
Here's what I mean. I am not a massive fan of TV since it's a major time suck and I have books to write already, that said there is one show I never miss. Australia's Biggest Loser. If you aren't familiar with it, basically all the contestants work their butts off to lose weight and the 'biggest loser' wins the show.
So, what's my obsession with it?
Well, it's the mindsets and why people persist. People's thinking intrigues me. Why people chose to over eat, how it impacts their lives and what they go through to change their thinking as the weight comes off.... people on the edge of themselves who want something bad enough that they are willing to change. The CHANGE is what I love to watch. but specifically what makes them STAY at it long enough to change.
One week someone asked the personal trainer what keeps her motivated to stay fit. What is it that got her up at 5:30am to go running or swimming? What kept her going back to the gym?
If you've read this blog for a while you know that I run and I am also a boxer. So I have my own answer to the question of motivation, but I wanted to hear the trainer's answer.
She said, "You don't have to be motivated. You just have to be consistent."
You just have to stay.
Yup.
That's it.
It really is that simple.
Writing for publication is a long long road. And sometimes, lots of times, its enough to just stay. To keep writing. Write today. And tomorrow. And next week. And the week after that. And next month. And next year. Because one morning, one fine and beautiful morning, you will wake up and find that you are a better writer. One day, if you stay, you might even find that agent you are looking for or the publishing house with an offer.
Of course, I can't guarantee success, but I can guarantee that if you DON'T stay you will fail.
So maybe hyped up motivation is good for some days. And the sheer grit of the will power to STAY is good for all days motivation fails you.
What about you? Are you staying?
The contestants are asignened personal trainers
Thanks Tab. I'm just taking a break from my maths study... and I needed this :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm staying or in my case I'm choosing to wake up again and again. My mantra is "I chose this life". I find it tremendously helpful to consider this with everything that happens - good, bad, happy or sad - I chose this life. I choose to write so I don't have to choose it every day - I just need to write every day.
ReplyDeletelater lovey - adore that picture...
When I was going through graduate school, I wanted to quit several times. God and my husband helped me to stay the course. So glad I did. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Tammy
Thanks for this post Tabitha you have answered a few questions I've been asking myself.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
This is lovely and very uplifting. I'm staying!
ReplyDeleteI feel like I have to stay. It's the first time I've been me. If I don't, I'll fade away. Thank you for this today. It's making me feel good about taking a deep breath and staying some more.
ReplyDeleteI'm staying. As Richard Gere says in "An officer and a Gentleman" I have nowhere else to go!
ReplyDeleteI don't have to like it. I just have do it. Write every day, exercise most days. After awhile it's in my blood.
ReplyDeleteAm I staying? This question comes at me from everywhere. You are the echo, Tabitha, of BIG BIG words.
ReplyDeleteMust remember to tweet this as soon as I get home (can't tweet from work). This is brilliant and true. sometimes, the motivation just isn't there. We just have to stay. To keep on keepin' on. The number one common trait I see amongst published authors is not level or talent or even passion....but perseverence.
ReplyDeleteSticking. Staying. Marching on. I'm not a quitter and I believe I've found my home. I don't want to be lost again.
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
Staying for sure. Another great analysis, Tab.
ReplyDeleteShould I stay or should I go? I'll stay. :)
ReplyDeleteI think you're right about that--about the importance of consistancy. You don't have to be highly motivated, but you do have to show up--and stay. I once heard that 90 percent of life is just showing up--the other 10 percent (motivation--why you show up) is something that constanly changes and gets worked out on the way.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting :)
ReplyDeleteGlad there are so many 'stayers.'
I stay, but sometimes not at the things I should. The trick is staying consistent with the things that are good for you and not the ones that are negative. It's good to have things that remind us of why we stay.
ReplyDeleteAh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Somehow, you just gave me a breakthrough! I don't know if you read my blog, but my MC was asked a really profound question....and you just gave me her answer! Wow!!!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great view; I love this post~! Thanks for sharing the process; I am going to stay!xXx
ReplyDeleteGreat encouragement. Especially staying the course on my journey. Thank you TB. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteI love The Biggest Loser too and for the same reasons. It's inspiring to watch people transform their lives--and I know it isn't easy. Consistency, yep.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Tabitha. For me it's getting out of stuck and into stay. It can be a battlefield. But worth it, right?
ReplyDeleteI think I stay because deep down inside I want to share my stories and be heard. Also it would be a huge perk if people enjoyed them . =)
ReplyDeleteI stay because it is what I love to do and why leave that?? I don't know if it will ever get to be where I want it to be but the ride is lovely:)
ReplyDeleteHi Tabitha...though there are days I waver, but I get myself firmly back on track, as there are stories I want to share with my readers and with the world. Thanks for this uplifting post. I needed to read just these words. :)
ReplyDelete