One Step at a Time

 

Writing has something in common with exercise, healthy eating, making time for relationships, and religion.  It works when you practice it daily.

Lao Tsu taught, "the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."  If your goal is the finished product, good.  But add an equally important goal: One step at a time.  Writing a little bit each day adds up, and keeps you moving in the right direction.

One might say, "the joy is in the journey."

In my case, this is true.  I have fallen in love with writing.  I do like the finished product, but I have to say there is some grief about getting to the end, whether it was an essay, book, research project, poem, song, etc.  I am enjoying the process of getting to the end.

A lot of writers -- myself included -- spend years worried about the finished product and other people's opinions.  They (myself included) succumb to doubt, and the writing doesn't happen. 

Writing is an art, and it is your art.

Practice your art today, just a little.  And see if you can do it again tomorrow.  And so on.

Like all the other daily healthy behaviors, it will build you into the person you envision, and more.