Forming Practice from Passion

by Michael Michel

What you love will never leave you alone. This is true in regard to everything, though right now, we’ll focus our attention on your success as an author.

You might not be the person who writes a book.

You might not be the person who writes a book and publishes it.

You might not be the person who writes a bestseller.

You might not even be the next JK Rowling, or Ken Kesey.

Regardless of where you end up on the journey known as being a writer, my guess is you want to enjoy the experience. Here’s my recommendation: focus more on the crafter than the craft. As the crafter, you are the instrument through which creativity flows and stories are shared with the world. If you want to be successful, start writing the story you’d love for yourself, first.

Take a few moments and look at how you‘ve been showing up to the work you love thus far.

With anything this subjective, we tend to see from a multitude of perspectives.

Example:

  1. Writing isn’t hard; it can be a meaningful time warp of flowing creativity and joy that some make into a successful career. By deciding you agree with this statement, you form a subconscious contract to produce its ends whenever you take action on your work.

  2. Writing is an energy-draining trial of self-judgment, criticism, and failure, simply getting in the way of “Real Life.” By deciding to align with this idea, you form a different contract from which actions follow suit.

The Truth you declare is the Truth you’ll produce.

So what mental clutter are you dragging into the space with you as you engage with the predictable challenges that arise from working with something you’re passionate about?

It’s important to see this clearly. If you don’t take a moment to look at it right here and now, you may be forming a contract with yourself to avoid addressing the blind spots keeping you from the level of success you desire. My guess is you’re more interested in success.

Success is not a thing given, nor a thing taken or forced. It is something practiced. The pathways we travel most often are the ones with the deepest grooves. Ever heard the term, “Get in the groove?” It holds more truth and functionality than folk might realize. Success depends on the proverbial grooves we create–practices forming pathways.

Here’s a quick and easy process to get in the Write Groove:

  1. Orient: Despite my B.S., how would I love to show up to my writing, right here and now?

  2. Engage: Am I willing to show up to it in the way I’d love?

  • If yes, continue to step three…

  • If no, see step one again…

  1. Practice: Show this by completing a small, clear action step.

  2. Celebrate: You’ve practiced successful writing. Savor the truth, then repeat at later date.

Like I said, what you love will never leave you. It’s got hold of you for life. It’s unlikely that you’ll one day wake up and say, “I have no urge to write ever again.” Unfortunately, or fortunately, you’re already oriented to writing in this way. It’s who you are.

And your personal power lies in the small ways you practice being who you are and doing what you love.

Writing is a skill that needs to be exercised, and like anything, it takes energy in the form of time and effort. That’s a fact you can’t manifest without taking action. If you’re not yet as successful as you’d like, look no further than your practices. Do they reflect who you truly are and what you love, or do they reflect some self-limiting mindset you’ve been in the groove with for far too long?

Take the following conversations for example. Each one likely results in the practice of something other than writing:

“I’m not good enough,” there’s your practice of not submitting your work.

“No one will like it,” there’s your practice of never finishing a story or novel.

“I don’t have the time,” there’s your practice of scrolling facebook rather than writing.

“My muse is aloof. It’s just a pipedream,” there’s your practice of quitting the journey.

Do you REALLY want to believe these things are true and actualize their outcomes? Regardless of whether or not you find yourself one day as popular as George R. R. Martin, is this how you experience your journey?

My guess is a resounding, “No!”

You have to ask yourself tough questions in order to shake things up at the level you’re at so you can be at the level you’d love.

Are you willing to declare your Truth so you can produce it? Questions give shape and form to answers which give shape and form to declarations which give shape and form to results.

So…

Ask questions like:
“What do I love about writing?”
“Am I willing to be a successful writer?”
“Right here and now, am I willing to show how much I love this work?”

Whatever your answers, those become your practices, and your life is simply a collection of such practices.

•••

Though based out of Eugene, Oregon, Michael Michel works with authors, changemakers, and executives/entrepreneurs across America. Whether he’s presenting to a large group or working individually with a client, he supports people to cultivate the inherent creativity, passion, and dedication they have for that which is meaningful to them–and then take action from there. He currently offers a program called, “The Write Stuff,” for those seeking to advance their vision of being a successful author.

In addition to writing f&sf and self-growth articles, Michael is a table tennis enthusiast, an avid reader, a lover of many sports, a galavanter upon many beautiful Oregon trails, and the father of a ten year old girl who also happens to be the director of an imaginary non-profit for dragons in need of rescue and rehabilitation.

You can find him online at michaelmichel.coach or thewritestuffcoachgroup.com. He welcomes any questions you might have.