The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – April 25

/ 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 116 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday? We are living in an upside-down world. The hustle and bustle of daily commutes, the never-ending parade of constant stress, unreasonable demands, over-hyped experiences, and thrilling activities competing for your time, attention, and energy—evaporated. Self-isolation, social distancing, work from home, eLearning, family time, and dog walking, are the newest must-do exercises. No one would blame you if you are feeling directionless in your suddenly open schedule.

Abrupt changes can induce anxiety, but what if you considered this an opportunity to cultivate deep working habits? Deep work is a concept defined by Cal Newport, associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University and self-help author. He defines deep work as “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” The concept involves complete immersion in the task. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi would call it “flow.”

Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions. Will applying this strategy help you find your voice, 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

The Magical Properties of Reading and Writing – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 11 Comments

writing-is-literally-transformative.-when-we-read-we-are-changed.-when-we-write-we-are-changed.-its-neurological.-to-me-this-is-a-kind-of-magic.-francesca-lia-block.

I love magic. Books have always provided a ready source of the elixir I crave. The book doesn’t have to be a fantasy with wizards, witches, or supernatural creatures. Books about history sweep me away to another time. Treatises, opinion pieces, and even diatribes expose me to different points of view. It doesn’t matter if the author minted their words yesterday or hundreds of years ago. My perceptions are altered, expanded, and perhaps changed.

Writing helps congeal thoughts, tightens reasoning and logic, and reveals contradictions. Even free writing helps access beliefs, concerns, and troubles we have buried below the surface. Once they see the light of day, they demand acknowledgment, and the process begins anew.

What magic will you find today?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – April 24

/ 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 115 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday? We are living in an upside-down world. The hustle and bustle of daily commutes, the never-ending parade of constant stress, unreasonable demands, over-hyped experiences, and thrilling activities competing for your time, attention, and energy—evaporated. Self-isolation, social distancing, work from home, eLearning, family time, and dog walking, are the newest must-do exercises. No one would blame you if you are feeling directionless in your suddenly open schedule.

Abrupt changes can induce anxiety, but what if you considered this an opportunity to cultivate deep working habits? Deep work is a concept defined by Cal Newport, associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University and self-help author. He defines deep work as “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” The concept involves complete immersion in the task. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi would call it “flow.”

Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions. Will applying this strategy help you find your voice, 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

Making Sense of Vague Madness – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 5 Comments

my-songs-are-always-on-the-tip-of-my-tongue.-its-always-bubbling-and-brewing-and-about-to-come-out.-i-cant-really-put-it-into-words-but-the-best-way-to-explain-it-is-feeling-like-you-con

How do you write when you can’t write? What do you do when you show up, sit down, prepared to create brilliant work only to discover your muse didn’t get the memo? Lately, my mind has been churning, spewing thought fragments, disjointed ideas, and vague impressions that refuse to coalesce into anything coherent. Words and sentences float just beyond my reach.

I don’t ascribe to writer’s block, and what I am experiencing doesn’t resemble what those writers describe. The issue presents as an out-of-focus photo, a slightly off frequency radio transmission, or waking from a dream you almost remember. My normal tricks aren’t helping. But I won’t let this temporary fugue stop me. I have resorted to devising new tactics and alternate approaches.

I hired a stenographer. She sits, mouse quiet in the corner, pressing keys, recording the conversation without judgment or censure. There is no right or wrong, no condemnation for poor grammar, incomplete sentences, or incoherent babbling. When prompted, she reads the transcript verbatim. I listen and notice odd connections, unforeseen themes, and random relationships. And I suspect something important lurking in the mist.

How do you through tough situations?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – April 23

/ 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 114 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday? We are living in an upside-down world. The hustle and bustle of daily commutes, the never-ending parade of constant stress, unreasonable demands, over-hyped experiences, and thrilling activities competing for your time, attention, and energy—evaporated. Self-isolation, social distancing, work from home, eLearning, family time, and dog walking, are the newest must-do exercises. No one would blame you if you are feeling directionless in your suddenly open schedule.

Abrupt changes can induce anxiety, but what if you considered this an opportunity to cultivate deep working habits? Deep work is a concept defined by Cal Newport, associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University and self-help author. He defines deep work as “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” The concept involves complete immersion in the task. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi would call it “flow.”

Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions. Will applying this strategy help you find your voice, 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

Looking Forward – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 7 Comments

behold-my-friends-the-spring-is-come-the-earth-has-gladly-received-the-embraces-of-the-sun-and-we-shall-soon-see-the-results-of-their-love-sitting-bull-

A soft rain fell overnight, but this morning the clouds evaporate in the dawn sky and revealed clear blue hope. Temperatures are warming, and the first tulip leaves have emerged from the earth. Daffodils dot muddy brown lawns, the heralds of a golden promise. I look forward to my garden in its spring splendor, my morning coffee on the patio, followed by writing alfresco.

For now, I wait and dream and write about lovely days.

I hope you find a reason to rejoice and enjoy your day.

What are you dreaming of?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – April 22

/ 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 113 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday? We are living in an upside-down world. The hustle and bustle of daily commutes, the never-ending parade of constant stress, unreasonable demands, over-hyped experiences, and thrilling activities competing for your time, attention, and energy—evaporated. Self-isolation, social distancing, work from home, eLearning, family time, and dog walking, are the newest must-do exercises. No one would blame you if you are feeling directionless in your suddenly open schedule.

Abrupt changes can induce anxiety, but what if you considered this an opportunity to cultivate deep working habits? Deep work is a concept defined by Cal Newport, associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University and self-help author. He defines deep work as “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” The concept involves complete immersion in the task. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi would call it “flow.”

Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions. Will applying this strategy help you find your voice, 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

One Way to Avoid Regret – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 11 Comments

always-do-your-best.-your-best-is-going-to-change-from-moment-to-moment-it-will-be-different-when-you-are-healthy-as-opposed-to-sick.-under-any-circumstance-simply-do-your-best-and-you-

When we first start a new endeavor, our ultimate success or failure is often even odds. Tipping the scales in our favor comes from putting our best effort towards our goal.  A dogged determination helps us through setbacks and challenges, and an optimistic attitude keeps our spirits lifted.

If we are fortunate, help arrives when we flounder, and mentors who have traveled a similar pathway, offer guidance allowing us insight with the journey along our chosen path. Setting and striving for a goal, giving it our lazar focus, our finest effort is noble. By doing the best we can, we become a better, more confident, and we never need to wonder “what if.”  In life, daily work improves us and defines success. Look around and admire the fruits of your labor.

How can you do your best today?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The 2020 Daily Writing Challenge – April 21

/ 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 112 of the 2020 Daily Writing Challenge.

Did you write yesterday? We are living in an upside-down world. The hustle and bustle of daily commutes, the never-ending parade of constant stress, unreasonable demands, over-hyped experiences, and thrilling activities competing for your time, attention, and energy—evaporated. Self-isolation, social distancing, work from home, eLearning, family time, and dog walking, are the newest must-do exercises. No one would blame you if you are feeling directionless in your suddenly open schedule.

Abrupt changes can induce anxiety, but what if you considered this an opportunity to cultivate deep working habits? Deep work is a concept defined by Cal Newport, associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University and self-help author. He defines deep work as “the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task.” The concept involves complete immersion in the task. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi would call it “flow.”

Newport advocates approaching and completing challenging tasks by eliminating distractions, committing to block scheduling, and adhering to your intentions. Will applying this strategy help you find your voice, 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

Winning by Consistently Failing to Quit – Daily Quote

/ JoHawkTheWriter / 2 Comments

write-every-day.-dont-kill-yourself.-i-think-a-lot-of-people-think-i-have-to-write-a-chapter-a-day-and-they-cant.-they-fall-behind-and-stop-doing-it.-but-if-you-just-write-even-one-hundr.

It is easy to fall behind. You set goals, make plans, create schedules, and the world intervenes. The result is you flounder, miss the mark, and call yourself a failure. Your great plan lays in ruins. Thinking in black and white terms, there is only happiness or disappointments. Caving into rigid comparisons, without accounting for unforeseen circumstances, can encourage you to forsake your dreams. Thankfully, colors have countless shades and success can be measured in degrees.

Life ebbs and flows. A writing session may see words appear on the screen without effort. At the next scheduled session, your fingers can’t communicate with the keyboard. Your distracted mind wants to do something, anything else. You raise the white flag and surrender to writer’s block.

But you can’t relinquish your dream. You are somebody’s hero. Consistency is key, you must create within the day’s constraints. Write a single sentence, a poorly constructed sentence, or scrawl random thoughts across a blank page. If you do your best, if you compose what you can, then you are already a winner.

How many words will you write today?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer