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Finding the story in things
One of the things I like about blogging is that it is a great way for you to find the “story” in things you confront every day. For the past two years, I have been writing about human resources and business related issues on an almost daily basis. This has been beneficial in a multitude of ways.
My writing is much improved, more crisp and focused. My focus on issues outside the daily course of my work has never been better. The breadth of my professional network is wider than at any point in my career. I feel as if I am poised to make significant strides in a new direction in the coming year.
In the doldrums
There is only one problem with everything that I just wrote. I can’t write a thing about human resources.
I am in the doldrums of writing.
“From the bluff head where I watch’d to-day, I saw her in the doldrums; for the wind Was light and baffling.” - The Island, Lord Byron
My problem isn’t that I can’t think of anything to write about. I have a number of ideas sitting in my journal, including:
- my surprise at the lack of knowledge shown by some recent college graduates on using basic social media tools as a part of their job search.
- using the recent trials and tribulations of college football coaches at major Florida colleges to further explore the topic of work/life balance.
- getting ready for the New Year without making resolutions you won’t keep anyway.
- How sexual harassment takes a severe emotional toll, not unlike crimes such as rape.
Like the boat in Byron’s The Island, I find myself unable to move out of my current spot, unable to catch wind in my sails. I am unable to find the story that lies inside my ideas.
I don’t really feel like writing about human resources right now. So, I am writing about being unable to write instead. This is the only way I know how to fight writer’s block. Thanks for indulging me, if you made it this far.
How do you get yourself out of doldrums? Share your ideas with me, and maybe I will be able to write that!
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[New Post at The Human Race Horses] Sailing along in the Doldrums http://toast.tw/100ea8
Mike's got writer's block! Oh no! RT: @MikeVanDervort: Sailing along in the Doldrums http://bit.ly/8pL9VM
Twitter: HR_Minion
December 29, 2009 at 9:19 am
What helps me at times is to do something else creative that has nothing to do with writing. That or sleep. I like sleep.
Mike,
Here’s a great resource that I’ve turned to from time to time. It’s from Michael Hyatt’s blog:
http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/13-idea-starters-for-stuck-bloggers.html
If none of those ideas works, how about the ancient practice of “do nothing”. Sometimes when a person is trying so hard to do something/achieve something, they’re actually blocking that which they want. So, maybe just backing off for awhile will help.
Mike- I have the solution for you. A few months ago I was feeling the same way. I threw a challenge out to our friend Ben Eubanks (aka “Mr. Creative”) and he came up with the most fabulous list that he e-mailed to me and eventually posted on his site. Check it out: http://upstarthr.com/20-ideas-to-inspire-creativity/
Good luck my friend!
[New Post at The Human Race Horses] Sailing along in the Doldrums http://www.thehumanracehorses.com/2009/1...
@MikeVanDervort Your posts always rock! Just relax and enjoy the new year…words will come soon enough.
Tweeps, @MikeVanDervort has writer's block. Let's help him out: "Doldrums" (love the word!) http://bit.ly/8pL9VM
Sailing along in the Doldrums http://bit.ly/53eM4b
New Post: How i fight writer's block "Sailing along in the Doldrums" http://j.mp/5VJcnu
Twitter: timjgardner
December 30, 2009 at 12:57 am
Mike-
One of my favorite books is The Phantom Tollbooth. Your post immediately made me think of the character Milo, who found that the inhabitants of the Doldrums were so busy they couldn’t find the time to do nothing. Their work was to do “Anything as long as it’s nothing, and everything as long as it isn’t anything”.
You are not in the doldrums, you are in your prime! What is frustrating to you is likely an incubation for a new, better idea. Let it incubate! Even the doldrums can be a place of growth.
Twitter: MikeVanDervort
December 30, 2009 at 6:58 am
@Tim – I took a class on science fiction and fantasy at the University of Michigan in 1976. One of the books we were assigned to read was “The Phantom Tollbooth”. Even though I remain an avid reader of sci-fi, I had forgotten the Doldrums from that book until you mentioned it here. Thanks for the memory of a cool read, and for the encouraging comments!
RT @MikeVanDervort: New Post: How i fight writer's block "Sailing along in the Doldrums" http://j.mp/5VJcnu My problem is what not to write
All good questions Mike… RT @MikeVanDervort: Sailing along in the Doldrums http://bit.ly/8ySJbt
Good post re: fighting writer's block + GREAT resources in comments sect. RT @MikeVanderVort "Sailing along in Doldrums" http://j.mp/5VJcnu
Sailing along in the Doldrums – http://www.thehumanracehorses.com/2009/12/29/sailing-along-in-the-doldrums/
Twitter: beneubanks
December 31, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Trish saved me the effort of throwing out the link.