Failure, and the importance of a Why

Welcome (or welcome back) to my writing journey!

I’ve been going through a bit of a rough patch lately.

I’ve failed everything I’ve tried recently, and it’s not looking too awesome for the future either.

I’ve been trying to keep my head up and push through, but I’ve been having a really hard time.

The one good thing that’s come out of this, though, is that I’ve been able to write a bunch of scenes where my characters experience failure as well. I think I was able to channel what I was feeling and use it to write scenes that were authentic and real.

The writing also helped me process and feel in a way that allowed me to acknowledge how I was feeling, but not drown in it.

Hopefully, just like my characters who experience failure and grow from it, I’ll be able to as well.

One of the most interesting things about failure that I’m hoping to explore further with my writing is the feeling of helplessness that often comes along with it. The feeling that the world is ending, that nothing is working, that no matter how hard you try nothing seems to get better. That panic when the walls are closing in is really powerful and something I think many people can relate to. Adding it to a character’s journey makes them seem more human, more real.

I’m hoping I’ll be able to pick myself up, dust myself off, and get back on track over the coming week. I know this is only temporary and that I’ll be fine, even though that point seems far away right now.

I’d love to hear what do you guys do to get back on your horse. Any and all advice is welcome.

Another thing I’ve realized is that having a Why in addition to the What of your goal is so incredibly important. The Why is what you can look back to when you feel like quitting or when you have no motivation. When you remember the reason you’re doing what you’re doing, it allows you to push through challenges.

When facing adversity, and the inevitable questions “Why am I working so hard? Why am I trying?” and their like pop up, not having an answer will be the end of your goal. If you don’t know why you’re doing something hard, you’ll just stop doing it - having no reason to continue. But if you can look those questions square in the face and answer them, not only will you be able to continue working towards your goal, but you will strengthen your resolve and be able to redouble your efforts.

In games (tabletop or video), when you’re faced with a challenge and defeat it, you gain XP, level up, or something of the sort. In life - it’s the same. Every obstacle you make it past, every roadblock you get through, you emerge better and stronger on the other side.

With a Why, (almost) anything is possible. Without one, you have no reason to try.

The What of my goal for the next week is to be patient with myself and do one thing well. The Why is that I think if I can succeed at just one thing, it will create some positive momentum that’ll help me get going again. I love writing and it makes me so happy to get my thoughts out onto the page. I want to get back to that feeling.

Leave a comment telling me your goals for the week, with a What and a Why.

Let's achieve great things.

Talk soon :)

Shira

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