If I were my boss, I’d fire me. Or at least conduct an employee counseling session in which I’d give myself the ultimatum to “shape up or ship out.”
After years of faithful blogging, I haven’t written in a month. I have seven partially started projects that are languishing. I owe people calls, I’m behind on marketing my books, and I have half a dozen friends waiting on me to commit to a lunch date. I’m stuck.
There’s nothing wrong; I’m not ill, I’m not unhappy, and I have no pressing family problems. To paraphrase a 1998 movie title, I feel as though I just need to get my groove back. Note: I was going to title this post “Back in the Groove” but thankfully I searched that title before I committed it to writing. It turns out there was (is?) a reality show of that title where three single women in their 40s (older women, according to the online hype) meet up with a bunch of younger men at a hotel. I believe the phrase “reality show” is a misnomer because I don’t know anyone for whom that would be a reality. Anyhow…
If you’ve been with me for a while as a reader, you know that I believe God sends us help and yes, sometimes via mysterious ways, such as in an email.
I subscribe to Daniel Pink’s biweekly newsletter. Pink is a researcher and author who writes in a down-to-earth style. He’s been mentioned several times previously in this blog space (see below for links), and often his writing prompts me to take action.
Included in his newsletter is a short (usually under three minutes) video that he refers to as a Pinkcast. The January 24 Pinkcast contained this linguistic trick for dealing with challenges: Change one word.
Instead of asking ourselves, “What SHOULD I do?” ask “What COULD I do?”
Pink says that research from Harvard Business School found that “should” is a restrictive word that causes us to feel as if there is a limit to the number of correct answers to a challenge.
“Could” on the other hand, helps to widen our thinking and remove boundaries, enabling us to develop multiple solutions.
Pink also included this Mark Twain quote:
The difference between the right word
and the almost right word is the difference
between lightning and a lightning bug.
When I asked myself, “What could I do to get back in my groove?” one response was that I could write one post for my readers.
May this day be full of right words and possibilities for you.
~~~~
The Pinkcast from January 24, 2023
Prior Lifted Up posts where I’ve mentioned Daniel Pink.
https://liftedup.us/tools-for-thought/
https://liftedup.us/its-not-always-about-a-happy-ending/
https://liftedup.us/time-is-not-the-enemy/
I’ve missed you. Glad you are back in your groove girl!
So good to hear from you, Nancy!
Norma,
Your blogging is always such a blessing to me. Keep on keeping on. You and your family are on my prayer list and have been for a LONG time. Blessings, Thea
Thea, what a lovely offering. Thank you.
Love that you used a kitty picture! You know me and Bert and cats!!!
Meow!
Dearest Norma, You are so very talented and inspiring, motivating to all of us, entertaining, enlightening, informative, and inspiring!!!!!!!
You are NOT required to communicating to us on a schedule. So i ask that you enjoy your life and take the time to spoil your precious granddaughter and kick back and enjoy yourself. You are a renaissance woman, interest in ALL THINGS!!!!! I would love to be in your amazing head as you soak in all things and embrace them, In other words——I envy your talent<3
It indeed is an honor to be your friend and we LOVE YOU<3
I am naming you my official blog cheerleader! Thank you for your lovely words.
I am just glad to know that you are doing okay👍
I have had a million projects that I could be doing, but I can only do one at a time, so it’s okay.
I would rather be visiting family and FaceTiming with my granddaughter🥰
I think of you often my friend!
Stay well🌷