May 10, 2016
Note From Rochelle
Dear Writers,
Yesterday, I participated in my 3rd annual Run Like a Mother race. As I got close to what I thought was the finish line, I learned I had one more lap to complete first. And standing between me and the finish line? A Little Free Library, stuffed with books. Can I tell you how long that short stretch felt and how hard it was to pass up the books? Sweaty and tired, I ran past those books, determined to finish strong!
That run reminded me of a conversation I had with a student a few weeks ago—and what he taught me about sticktoitiveness!
Happy Writing! Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach
What Sticktoitiveness Can Teach You by Rochelle Melander
A few weeks ago, one of my brightest and most challenging students stayed after class to finish a project. Before he left he said, “You know, I hated this class at first. But I’m learning that if I focus on something, after a while I get into it. Now I like this class.”
Wow.
I’ve had similar experiences with writing. I sometimes get projects that I really don’t like or that seem too difficult. If I can make myself sit with the discomfort for a bit, then I sometimes have a breakthrough and get into the project. In those times, it can be hard to stop working.
So here’s the lesson for this week: don’t give up too soon.
Get connected to your sticktoitiveness and cultivate it as a habit.
Next time you feel blocked or challenged by a project, keep working on it. Sometimes, you can find your way through the tough parts to the fun part by sticking with it.
