Not too long ago, I had a really productive day. That’s meant to sound like an anomaly, because, sadly, they don’t happen for me very much anymore. I’ve talked before about how I used to kick the proverbial butts of to-do lists on a regular basis, but, in the last 5-10 years seem to have lost my get-it-done mojo. So, a week or so ago, when I wrote more than 5000 words IN ONE DAY toward my parenting book project, I was on cloud nine … for a little while.
Then darkness came.
No, really, it was night. I was lying in bed, trying to go to sleep, when I became overwhelmed with doubt. What do I know about parenting? What can I say that hasn’t been said before? Why would anyone listen to me? Who cares what I have to say? Today was a complete waste. My words are useless. I might as well give up.
I’m not exaggerating. If anything, the above doesn’t convey the depths of my despair. And I didn’t write words for days.
A few days later I was sharing my woes with a fellow Tribe Writer, and she said, “Sorry you were visited by the evil doubt fairy.†It seems like such a trivial thing, but knowing she “got me†was really helpful. It reminded me that all writers go through periods of productivity and doubt. I just need to work on increasing the recurrences of my productive periods and, as she continued, “tell the evil doubt fairy to stuff it.â€
It’s time to revoke the invitation to the evil doubt fairy. Doubt is no longer welcome to come and hang out with me.
How about you? How do you beat the evil doubt fairy? Share your tips in the comments.