April Fools’ Day is one of my least favorite annual observances. With its exact origins shrouded in conjecture and mystery, we have practiced it in some form or another for several centuries. It appears I am not alone in my distaste for the custom as some corporations have recently banned April Fools’ Day pranks. Given that previous “pranks” have sometimes earned companies less than funny fallout, perhaps discretion is advised.

Today I will proceed with caution, question the validity of ridiculous comments and wait for the nonsense to pass. It would appear Mark Twain is right. Today just like any other day.

Happy April Fools’ Day!

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Even when we know where we are going, the path can be circuitous. Detours, roadblocks, washouts, and fallen bridges block the direct path. The going isn’t easy. We find ourselves unprepared, short on supplies, lacking the right password, and despair threatens to consume the last of our resolve.  We cling to hope’s faint light and push forward.

Having goals is imperative. I compare the path to Joseph Campbell’s structure of the hero’s journey. The goal is set, we answer the Call to Adventure, travel the Road of Trials, descend into the Abyss, experience the Supreme Ordeal. I know the story isn’t complete, everyone is waiting for our hero to prevail against the odds.

Where are you on your hero’s journey?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Q1 2019 is coming to a close. If you’re like me, perceptions indicate a downhill slide since January. Daily productivity falls short of expectations, the majority of projects are in various stages, others have yet to be started, none are complete. I lack manpower, willpower, time.

This is the reason I keep spreadsheets, record word count, track projects and well, you know, progress. Boy, was I surprised. This quarter I have written more than half of the total words recorded in 2018. My actual weekly output is inching higher and continuing at this pace, I will pass prior year’s numbers in May.

Quarterly reviews are a worthwhile exercise. Every goal is not at 25%, but many are close. Momentum is building, results, while short of set targets are surpassing last year. It is exciting, and it gives me the ability to keep trudging ahead.

How are you progressing on your goals?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

We waste precious time and energy worrying about events which never happen, opinions that don’t matter, approvals we don’t need. Our imagined fears are a dog pile of a thousand tiny terrors and a hoard of gargantuan doubts. They stop us before we begin. We must confront our paper tigers, name them for what they are if we want to succeed.

Fear is a mechanism which evolved for our safety. But Saber-toothed tigers and Mastodons became extinct ten thousand years ago. To move forward, we need to determine if our concerns have any validity. What would happen if our worst thought stood manifest before us? When we consider them, most worries are dismissible, while a handful may require mitigation. Then we are free to grab our heart’s desire and prepare for an amazing ride.

What fears are stopping you?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

They say 80% of Americans want to write a book. Few embark on the arduous journey and fewer reach their target. The odds are stacked against aspiring authors. Stepping onto the path is perilous, unknown dangers lurk and abandoning the road sometimes feels like a viable option.

The prize lies ahead, not next to the trail and not in the rearview mirror. Our compelling motivation fuels our ambition to reach the destination and attain our goal. If the purpose is important, if it emanates from the core of our being, if it is as vital as the air we breathe, it propels us forward, sustain us on our journey. With a fierce desire, the path is less daunting. The bumps are minor inconveniences and we will win our reward.

Is your reason strong enough?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

You may not buy into the belief that your life reflects your thoughts, and your thoughts shape your future. I like to experiment and test hypotheses. They say reflective people moderate their thoughts. I found this requires self-awareness and practice. It is not an exact science. It is tough to identify and challenge preconceived ideas and painful to decide which you need to change and which to set aside. The process is distressing. It is uncomfortable to entertain new patterns but can also be revealing.

Deconstructing a problem’s components is work. The pieces require examination. Solutions demand creativity and imagination. Everything hinges on considering different responses and novel solution. Avoidance tactics can have profound consequences. Those problems and challenges can be the catalyst that changes everything.

What opportunities are you facing today?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

I guard my seconds, stick to my schedules and attempt to squeeze every ounce of productivity I can from my workday. Likewise, I construct my playtime around the activities I enjoy. They revitalize and recharge my batteries and prime my creativity pump. The horror comes when my time is hijacked and those diamonds Horace Mann refers to, are gone forever.

If you woke one day to discover your stash of flawless jewels had disappeared, you would call the police, file an insurance claim and offer a reward for their return. Yet when your day filters away, lost forever, we shrug our shoulders, laugh, and forget about it. Are those moments any less valuable than diamonds?

How do you value your time?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Monday morning dawns to remind you of the work ahead this week. Emails stack up, unread in your Inbox, deadlines loom in anticipation the month’s end and questions queue outside your office door. The pressure can feel daunting, or exhilarating, or a complete bother.

It never fails. The more you accomplish the more items appear on the never-ending list. The adage says if you want something done, ask the busiest person. I am wiser and I have learned politely decline those requests. My personal list is far more important, and it is more satisfying to compete.

How do you balance your list with requests from others?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

I have felt the power Bell is describing. It has struck me countless times in my life. It surfaces when I set an ambitious new target and I decide I can settle for nothing else. I must attain my objective. Writing, publishing and repeating the process is my current goal, and I have no intention of quitting.

This has been a hard week. I have pushed myself, working past midnight and taking advantage of spare moments. Today, I will rest and restart the plan tomorrow.

Have you felt Bell‘s power?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

While I struggled this week to find my desk and complete my daily writing assignment, my muse did not remain silent. In fact, she was like Coben’s muse, annoying, exasperating, and irksome. I wrote on the back of receipts, on my phone and tried to remember her great ideas as I drove in rush hour traffic.  When I found a pocket of time to write, I nearly screamed when someone interrupted me.

I believe my muse has become accustomed to my daily writing sessions. She was not amused when I skipped our appointed time. I did my best to appease her, to show her I still care. She badgered me. I promised her an uninterrupted writing session this weekend. She pouted. Hopefully, when I sit to write as promised, she will not be mute.

How do you tame your muse?