Overcoming the Monday Blues – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 8 Comments
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It is easy to succumb to Monday morning drudgery and fall into the trap of negative emotions. There are countless psychological and neurological studies supporting the assertion that your current emotional state has a huge effect on your performance. Monday’s return to work dread can make you less productive, less motivated, less creative, less engaged. This leaves you depressed, tired, and feeling hopeless. And heaven helps if Monday returns you worrying about your company’s stability and you hope that this week isn’t the week you get laid off.

If your job is meaningful, and your position is secure, then looking forward to Monday is easier. Finding a career you are passionate about means each week is an opportunity to do what you love. Even if you love your work, you can still face difficulties that test your resolve. Clarifying the items that are bothering you, and taking corrective actions helps you maintain control. It may be as simple as preparing for Monday before you leave on Friday, getting organized, or addressing your most stress-inducing task first. Of course, a cup of coffee couldn’t hurt.

How will you make your transition from weekend to work week easier?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – June 15

/ JoHawkTheWriter

2020 Daily Writing Challenge

Writing is like driving at night in the fog.
You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.
– E. L. Doctorow

Today is Day 167 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday?  We get knocked down sometimes. Current events have done an excellent job of destroying normal. There is a silver lining. These times have granted us an opportunity to reexamine life, priorities, and what happiness really means.  I am determined, and I refuse to stay stuck in a mess. Today, I stand up, regroup, reset my intentions, and recommit to attaining my dreams.

An ongoing topic of exploration is Cal Newport’s concept of deep work, “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions.

What are your intentions? Unlike goals that concentrate on achievement, intentions emphasize awareness. They are essential elements necessary to effect lasting change and establishing meaningful habits. Acting intentionally probes the root of your “why.” Examples of an intention may include creating space for writing and creativity. Do you hope to bring light to others, develop your skills, or gain strength? Perhaps your aim is to commit yourself to hard work and following through, regardless of the outcome. Does your purpose require you to face your fear and resolve to move forward, anyway?

Will identifying your intentions and reviewing them daily help you find your voice? Does it compel you to open your laptop or a notebook, grab a pen, and record the words and stories that are begging to be told?

Try it and let us know how you did in the comments below.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Dancing and Singing Your Way to A Sunnier Day – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 8 Comments
gamora_im-a-warrior-an-assassin.-i-dont-dance.peter-quill_really_-well-on-my-planet-we-have-a-legend-about-people-like-you.-its-called-footloose.-and-in-it-a-great-hero-named-kevin-bacon

Living in a hotel room severely limits your options for distractions. Movies have become the background drone I rely on to cover the distracting, and startling noises created by some other guests. Normally, movies serve as white noise, but one failed miserably. Guardians of the Galaxy sucked me into Peter Quill’s world, and I watched both Guardian movies and put Footloose into the queue.

Before I realized what was happening, I launched a quest for some of the best dance movies ever filmed. The hunt sucked me into the late 70s to mid-80s with “Flash Dance,” “Saturday Night Fever,” “Grease,” “Dirty Dancing,” “Risky Business,” and the cult favorite, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Talk about a time warp. I next swung into the 30s to visit dance icons Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers’ mesmerizing moves in Top Hat.

What is it about dancing that automatically lifts your mood? It seems silly that a little toe-tapping, moving your feet, and twirling around to the “Sound of Music” can make you smile like a fool. Whatever the cause, I think it is the reason we have viewed the Gene Kelly clip from “Singing in the Rain” almost 30 million times.

Peter Quill is right. Dancing IS the greatest thing there is.

What is your favorite dance scene?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – June 14

/ JoHawkTheWriter

2020 Daily Writing Challenge

Writing is like driving at night in the fog.
You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.
– E. L. Doctorow

Today is Day 166 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday?  We get knocked down sometimes. Current events have done an excellent job of destroying normal. There is a silver lining. These times have granted us an opportunity to reexamine life, priorities, and what happiness really means.  I am determined, and I refuse to stay stuck in a mess. Today, I stand up, regroup, reset my intentions, and recommit to attaining my dreams.

An ongoing topic of exploration is Cal Newport’s concept of deep work, “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions.

What are your intentions? Unlike goals that concentrate on achievement, intentions emphasize awareness. They are essential elements necessary to effect lasting change and establishing meaningful habits. Acting intentionally probes the root of your “why.” Examples of an intention may include creating space for writing and creativity. Do you hope to bring light to others, develop your skills, or gain strength? Perhaps your aim is to commit yourself to hard work and following through, regardless of the outcome. Does your purpose require you to face your fear and resolve to move forward, anyway?

Will identifying your intentions and reviewing them daily help you find your voice? Does it compel you to open your laptop or a notebook, grab a pen, and record the words and stories that are begging to be told?

Try it and let us know how you did in the comments below.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Shedding the Stifling Limitations of Your Comfort Zone – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 8 Comments
life-begins-at-the-end-of-your-comfort-zone.-neale-donald-walsch.

Cocooned in the safety of our protective bubbles, we minimize risk. We think we avoid disappointment, the probability of losing, and getting hurt, but we also limit opportunities for success. The siren call of our comfort zone disguises the actual danger. You are supposed to stumble. The surest path to disaster is succumbing to the irrational fear prompting you to quit. The more we concentrate on comfort, and embrace an illusion of security, the less we pursue losing, and the smaller our world becomes.

People laugh at my audacious goals and inform me I will fail. But I have learned valuable lessons from setbacks. Like the famous Edison quote, each failed attempt exposes what doesn’t work, and pushes me closer to victory. Any personal trainer at the gym will tell you pushing muscles to the point of fatigue encourages each muscle to grow stronger. Practice is controlled failure. Daring to live on the boundary line of your current capabilities, living where failure is almost certain, is painful, but it is the only avenue towards growth.

When you read stories of individuals triumphing against all odds, the core of the story is that winners don’t let defeat stop them. Instead, it makes them more determined to achieve their goal. I have been failing a lot. It’s not stopping me, because each day I gain experience, strength, and conviction that I am inching toward accomplishment. Besides, I love the view from the edge. It is so much better than any view you’ll experience from your comfy couch.

Will you dare to fail today?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – June 13

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 3 Comments

2020 Daily Writing Challenge

Writing is like driving at night in the fog.
You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.
– E. L. Doctorow

Today is Day 165 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday?  We get knocked down sometimes. Current events have done an excellent job of destroying normal. There is a silver lining. These times have granted us an opportunity to reexamine life, priorities, and what happiness really means.  I am determined, and I refuse to stay stuck in a mess. Today, I stand up, regroup, reset my intentions, and recommit to attaining my dreams.

An ongoing topic of exploration is Cal Newport’s concept of deep work, “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions.

What are your intentions? Unlike goals that concentrate on achievement, intentions emphasize awareness. They are essential elements necessary to effect lasting change and establishing meaningful habits. Acting intentionally probes the root of your “why.” Examples of an intention may include creating space for writing and creativity. Do you hope to bring light to others, develop your skills, or gain strength? Perhaps your aim is to commit yourself to hard work and following through, regardless of the outcome. Does your purpose require you to face your fear and resolve to move forward, anyway?

Will identifying your intentions and reviewing them daily help you find your voice? Does it compel you to open your laptop or a notebook, grab a pen, and record the words and stories that are begging to be told?

Try it and let us know how you did in the comments below.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Do Your Desperate Desires Inspire Amazing Results? – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 3 Comments
whatever-you-do-make-sure-you-want-to-write-more-than-you-want-to-be-a-writer.-make-sure-you-want-to-act-more-than-you-want-to-be-an-actor.-that-is-what-will-sustain-you.-bradley-whitfo

“Pike’s Peak or Bust!” That was the slogan uttered by would-be miners who contracted gold fever after Green Russell and Sam Bates mined twenty troy ounces of gold near Little Dry Creek in current day Englewood, Colorado. The phrase embodies a “do or die” mentality. The sense of desperation is palatable. There is no other option, no further recourse, no viable alternative. The prospectors knew the odds and prepared for back-breaking work in search of precious golden flakes.

Today, we hear people tell us impressive achievement emanates from a big dream. Visualize your heart’s desire, and attraction brings it to you. Success requires more than good thoughts. You can imagine your six-pack abs, but they won’t materialize unless you commit to doing the reps. Completing a regular exercise regime guarantees results. Many individuals say they wish to become a writer. You must determine how desperately you crave the title of author. You must want to write.

The daily grind is arduous. No one is born a master of their field. Practice, patience, perseverance, and dogged determination are the qualities required to get through the learning curve. Mastery feels like a never-ending journey. Every day we decide whether we keep going or if we quit. For me, quitting is not an option.

How desperate are you?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – June 12

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 3 Comments

2020 Daily Writing Challenge

Writing is like driving at night in the fog.
You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.
– E. L. Doctorow

Today is Day 164 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday?  We get knocked down sometimes. Current events have done an excellent job of destroying normal. There is a silver lining. These times have granted us an opportunity to reexamine life, priorities, and what happiness really means.  I am determined, and I refuse to stay stuck in a mess. Today, I stand up, regroup, reset my intentions, and recommit to attaining my dreams.

An ongoing topic of exploration is Cal Newport’s concept of deep work, “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions.

What are your intentions? Unlike goals that concentrate on achievement, intentions emphasize awareness. They are essential elements necessary to effect lasting change and establishing meaningful habits. Acting intentionally probes the root of your “why.” Examples of an intention may include creating space for writing and creativity. Do you hope to bring light to others, develop your skills, or gain strength? Perhaps your aim is to commit yourself to hard work and following through, regardless of the outcome. Does your purpose require you to face your fear and resolve to move forward, anyway?

Will identifying your intentions and reviewing them daily help you find your voice? Does it compel you to open your laptop or a notebook, grab a pen, and record the words and stories that are begging to be told?

Try it and let us know how you did in the comments below.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Using Compassion to Create Complex Characters – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 5 Comments
if-you-want-others-to-be-happy-practice-compassion.-if-you-want-to-be-happy-practice-compassion.dalai-lama

When I write my fiction, my aim is delighting the reader. They say an outstanding character lies at the heart of every memorable story. A well rounded, engaging protagonist keeps people turning pages even if the tale falters. Boring and predictable is a recipe for disaster.  It’s a feat easier said than done. The experts advise writers to construct complex personalities, and they offer helpful tips. Give them wants and needs, goals and motivations, and a purpose for their existence. Add a quirk, a flaw, and something to fear. Create circumstances that make them sweat, make them fail, make them suffer.

The hints remind me of real-life people whose heart-warming stories inspire us. These are individuals who overcome personal tragedy and face overwhelming odds, to achieve their objectives while upholding or discovering their inner strength and an unshakable sense of right and wrong. The amazing part of these heroes is their response to accolades and recognition. They claim they only did what anyone else would do.

I try to write characters from a place of compassion. I reserve judgment and commentary and seek to portray them honestly, and in a manner that fits their constructed personality. Doing this allows your audience to peel back the layers and draw their own conclusions.

How do you develop your characters?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – June 11

/ JoHawkTheWriter

2020 Daily Writing Challenge

Writing is like driving at night in the fog.
You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.
– E. L. Doctorow

Today is Day 163 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday?  We get knocked down sometimes. Current events have done an excellent job of destroying normal. There is a silver lining. These times have granted us an opportunity to reexamine life, priorities, and what happiness really means.  I am determined, and I refuse to stay stuck in a mess. Today, I stand up, regroup, reset my intentions, and recommit to attaining my dreams.

An ongoing topic of exploration is Cal Newport’s concept of deep work, “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions.

What are your intentions? Unlike goals that concentrate on achievement, intentions emphasize awareness. They are essential elements necessary to effect lasting change and establishing meaningful habits. Acting intentionally probes the root of your “why.” Examples of an intention may include creating space for writing and creativity. Do you hope to bring light to others, develop your skills, or gain strength? Perhaps your aim is to commit yourself to hard work and following through, regardless of the outcome. Does your purpose require you to face your fear and resolve to move forward, anyway?

Will identifying your intentions and reviewing them daily help you find your voice? Does it compel you to open your laptop or a notebook, grab a pen, and record the words and stories that are begging to be told?

Try it and let us know how you did in the comments below.

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer