The Five Questions of Sue Grafton's "Kick Butt Motivational Seminar"

I was lucky enough to hear Sue Grafton at the Romantic Times convention in Texas in November. Here's a little write up of what she said:

   1.     What do you want? 

       In order to evaluate your progress you must know what you want. Try this -- Write a list of all the things you want. Choose the one thing you want the most. You get to have that. Imagine yourself years from now telling someone what you did to get that thing. Now you have an idea of what you need to do.

  2.     Where are you in the process? 

       After you decide what you want, you have to make a plan. You need a plan so you can see where you are in the process and decide what to do next. Remember, life changes take energy and concentration. These things must come from inside you, not from other people.

  3.     How can you make room in your life for this change? 

       Here's where the other people in your life come in. Talk to them, tell them what you are working toward and see how they can help. Evaluate your lifestyle. What do you need to do to make roomfor your goal steps? Believe in yourself and your dream. Make the changes you need to.

  4.     What is standing in your way? 

       Is it time? energy? lack of knowledge? your spouse? Once you identify obstacles you'll be able to get rid of them or work around them. "The only thing standing in your way is you." Writing is a risky business. Are you your own obstacle? If you are getting in your way look inside yourself and recognize that you're actually several people. You're friend, worker, maybe a mother, maybe a wife. You have sides of yourself that get things done -- and sides of yourself that get in the way. Look inside yourself and call upon those "people" who get the job done. Tell the others to be quiet.

  5.     What's the next step? 

       Each person's journey will be different, so you can't compare your steps to others. You can learn from other people, but measuring your success against theirs will not be helpful. You have to stay focused on your goal and what you need to do to achieve it.

Read BETWEEN THE COVERS with: Melissa Ford Lucken