writing processI went to bed late on Wednesday night absolutely sure that I had no business writing a second book. I had spent hours organizing material, editing, and writing. Check out the photo of my meditation room gone wild with paper.

I re-read my first chapter before bedtime, and…well, excuse my language but…

Everything I wrote sucked.

On Thursday I woke up with a vicious headache, likely the result of being cramped over my laptop writing for so many hours and dreaming about really bad books. But I got up, took the dogs out, made my green smoothie, and honoured my commitment to myself and to the book. I trudged upstairs to my computer, cringing all the way.

Well, let me tell you. I read the first chapter again. It is actually not bad. In fact, I’d wager it is quite good.

Everything worth doing is a risk. Writing this book is both risky and important. How do I know? Because the resistance is so very strong. Those voices that grow louder as they challenge me and tell me that my writing is bad when I know better. After all, you’re reading this post :)

Resistance may appear as thoughts that you are too stupid or not educated enough to do that. Or asking yourself what will people think. Maybe resistance sends you shopping or off to play video games. Or your children or parents or spouse may need you so you couldn’t possibly carve out an hour for yourself by getting up an hour earlier or going to bed an hour later. (You may want to read my post Resistance Really is Futile with wisdom from Steven Pressfield).

You are dreaming your dream for a reason.

Keep going. Yes, I mean you.

What is your next step? Do it this week. And tell me about it in the comments section.

Gotta go. My book is calling.