Face the Page

“Nothing is impossible; there are ways that lead to everything, and if we had sufficient will we should always have sufficient means. It is often merely for an excuse that we say things are impossible.” Francois De La Rochefoucauld

Yesterday I preached about making the time to write no matter what. A writer writes. If there are things in your way, consider what they are, and of what importance. I say I have no time to write. What I mean to say is writing isn’t as high on my priority list as some other things are. Job, relationship, family time . . . . Once today is gone you can’t get it back, and there is no guarantee how many tomorrows you’ll have. Be sure to spend your time each day doing things that matter to you.

I’ve seen any number of acknowledgements in books thanking spouse and children for surviving on frozen pizzas for two years while a book was finished. That’s probably an exaggeration and more about taking shortcuts on things that aren’t priorities than it is about locking yourself in the study for two years. In 10 years no one will remember what you had for dinner, but your kids will remember if you weren’t there for their performance in the school play or their winning touchdown.

It’s all about priorities.

Make a list of all the activities that you spend time on every day.

Now make a list of your priorities in life as they are today. (You will need to revisit this occasionally.)

Are your priorities the things you spend your time on? Or do you spend time each day on things that don’t matter? Consider what you could simplify to make more time in your day and use that extra time writing. But also be honest – maybe this season of life is not when you will be able to be a prolific writer. Keep practicing, keep in touch with language, and write when you can so you are ready to pour some energy into your writing when the season changes.