http://www.writersblock.net.au/

I’ve been off of tour for nearly two weeks now; it is an odd transition from the road to familiar ground. When there isn’t a new city to explore every single evening, it can seem so tranquil to sit in the living room watching television or just hanging out in your friends’ living room talking through life’s familiarity. I’m challenging myself to embrace the stillness, which has been absent for nearly a year and a half, but find myself antsy and eager.

When I sat in a San Diego coffee shop writing out some of my hopes and goals for the downtime from tour, I had a variety of desires. A list filled with names of friend and family members, my old “go-to” spots in Columbus and Mount Vernon, and many small details and appointments that were months late.  But something that sticks out to me as I look over this list is my desire to write. I’ve had a serious case of writers block- the inability to create off of the top of my head. Every thought, idea, or vision that I had seems to have disappeared. I’d like to say it’s the weather, or perhaps the adjustment into a new environment, but when I’m honest with myself, I think it comes down to self-motivation.

See what I did there?

Not a lack of motivation. That makes it too easy to pin it off on someone or something else. But self motivation claims responsibility. This afternoon I had a dueling conversation with a friend of mine; a fellow entrepreneur that stays up all night and works endlessly, often without compensation, working on what he hopes will become his future. He and I spend hours talking through trends, ideas, and strategies. We don’t always see eye-to-eye when it comes to execution or strategy, which offers a fresh perspective and an opportunity to learn from conflict. But we both recognize the importance and value in working hard and having a strong vision behind what you do. The conversation fell on a day that I did nothing in my entrepreneurial work besides reading a few brief articles and writing a name down. It’s as though I am instantly hypocritical of my own vision; to live out daily dreams for my life through hard work, synergy, and connecting.

This writing isn’t meant to be a statement, a story, or a showcase. It’s a self call out and a response to my own call-to-action. Conquering the challenge in front of you must start with the first step, which is a single moment away. Whether that comes in the form of writing, speaking up, or investing time in a new area, it’s time to accept that challenge.