The commitment to write and publish a book is very much like an athlete’s commitment to their sport. It requires showing up and doing my best—almost every day. Like an athlete, I need at least one day off a week to prevent burnout. And like an athlete, even on the days I start out feeling little motivation, I still have to try.  

There have been many times when I’ve almost given myself the day off because I don’t think I’ll be productive, but about half an hour into my work things start to click. Or I get a great idea I didn’t even know was brewing.

Nike is right: just do it

One of my favorite quotes about motivation says that we are motivated by doing, not thinking about doing.

I have never been a last-minute person. Especially with writing. I get better results working one hour a time for four days than four hours straight. I have a list of prompts for blog topics and know I can pick one, do a little research and ideas will flow. Some blogs practically write themselves. Others take a bit more time. And once in a while I struggle with a topic so much I know it’s best to head another direction. 

I’ll return to the topic I originally chose for today, but after working on it for several days, it just wasn’t happening. I was spinning my wheels because I was thinking about doing all the things I need to do right now. 

When it’s hard to just do it: focus on your purpose

I heard at a writer’s conference that writing the book is the easy part, and I’m learning it’s true. I have been juggling proofreading my formatted book file with writing blogs and collaborating with my daughter on the book cover, website updates, and design elements I will use to promote my book. I’ve hired help where needed but coordinating everything is a part-time job.

It’s a little overwhelming. And every step is taking a bit longer than I’d anticipated. I am not going to hit the March sale date I’d hoped for—it will probably be April.

And then there’s the emotional factor. Like all writers, I have moments of doubt. Is this good enough to publish? Will anyone want to read it? Did I share too much?

I am usually a private person, but my book includes many personal experiences and observations about the evolution of youth sports. I am taking some risks. But I hope that readers will relate to my experiences, and that my story will start conversations about what’s good and what needs to change in our youth sports culture. That is my purpose. That is what grounds me and helps me move forward. 

In my book I share the anxious excitement I felt on the day of my very first basketball game and what happened when I stepped onto the court that night. Some people came to support the first girls to play basketball at our high school. Others came to poke fun. But I ignored them. I was on the team because I wanted to be, and I kept trying.

I have many of the same feelings now. One minute I’m excited, the next I am nervous. One day I’m overwhelmed, the next I remind myself that there are more uncertainties than guarantees when you put a book into the world. I have to stay focused on my purpose and make decisions based on what I am comfortable doing and what I am able to do.

And every week I am more certain that this is what I’m meant to do.

photo by Tegan Mierle on Unsplash