Hi everyone

Why do we do what we do?

This is a question I've really been asking myself a lot lately. Especially as people in my life continue to push me with subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, hints that I should get a job and forget about building my business.

I took the plunge and went full-time into my business because I just felt that my time had come. I'm an all or nothing kind of person. I'm not someone who can work full-time and build up a business on the side - although I wish I was. There was just something in my head and heart that said, "Tamara, it's time to take a leap of faith and go for it."

There were times when I came up against objection or difficulity and thought about going back to employment. But I always had this incredible feeling that I would be rejecting something, as well as giving up on myself. My conviction is paying off and I donâ™t regret the trials, the confrontations with negative people, and having to delay gratification. These days finding a job can be hard, but finding the courage to follow a dream can be even harder.

I really believe that sometimes you just know in your heart that the path you have chosen is the right one for you. And you know that to go against your instincts would a denial of an essential truth.

I'm really interested in finding out what drives other people to do what you do.

Regards
Tamara


www.tamaralyster.com

Hi Tamara,

Why do we not do what we know we want to? That is my question tonight as I sit reading through these posts.

I want to be a novelist. I've wanted to be one for several years. I'm good enough and have even finished one novel in a series. I know I write well. I know I could make lots of money and be perfectly happy being a novelist. Yet, when I do have time to write, I do other things... things that must be done sometimes, but also things like playing computer games or watching movies. I always have a great excuse... I'm too tired to write right now. And that may be true. But I also always find the energy to do those things that I want to do. Unless it has something to do with doing what I truly desire, that is... getting published. Then I tend to put it off. I'm not sure why... some sort of fear no doubt, but I'm not really sure what it is. Succeeding, perhaps. Perhaps it's "once I succeed at getting published, then what?" Perhaps it's something else. But reading your post has set in motion the idea that I need to set aside time for my novels in the same way that I set aside time for the three jobs I currently am working.

Thanks for the question. It made me think. Now I need to act. I think I'll go write something before I head to sleep. Even one line a day is better than none. Thanks again!

Live in Light,
Coccinella

I feel that sometimes we spend too much time in wondering why.It really comes down to...do I really want what ever it is that I desire.
Then quit wondering why so much.Set the goal,figure out how to obtain it...and ACT.Sometimes we look too far into our past trying to reason everthing.If we spend too much time in doing that,we will find that we lose far too much time wondering why when we should just step out on faith.Do the thing you FEAR!

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I want to be a novelist. I've wanted to be one for several years. I'm good enough and have even finished one novel in a series. I know I write well. I know I could make lots of money and be perfectly happy being a novelist. Yet, when I do have time to write, I do other things... ... some sort of fear no doubt, but I'm not really sure what it is. Succeeding, perhaps. Perhaps it's "once I succeed at getting published, then what?"

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Well, let's say you really DO want to know the answer to that last question up there.

What will you have to do in order to find out?

Get published.

So since you do have a book finished, perhaps taking action in the direction of publication might be a good idea. Just my opinion, of course, and sure, actually sitting down and writing is important, too.

But if PUBLISHING is your target, then action in that direction is warranted.

It's funny. I rarely read newspapers (as people in the Practical Geniuses course are well aware!) Yesterday I was looking through the Sunday Seattle Times and saw a little story about JK Rowling, the author of the amazing Harry Potter series. Seems she's now richer than the Queen of England, with a net worth of about $445 million.

And just a few years ago, she was on the dole (the equivalent here in the States of being on "welfare"). So I said, "Hooray for you!"

So what's the difference for her between being virtually penniless and now halfway to billionaire?

Getting published and successfully marketed. That's a different action from writing, but every bit as essential. So -- and this is just MY idea/opinion, of course -- you might find it really worthwhile to focus your action on that for a bit. There's a lot to learn and it could be very exciting for you. Yes, it will likely take a good measure of patience and perseverance, too. And that's all good.

Just my two cents' worth! (And I'll buy your book!)

Many blessings, and, of course--
EXPECT Success!
Rebecca

Hi Rebecca,

Thank you for your comments. Yes, being published is the main goal. But in the genre I write (sci fi) and the way I write, I have to finish the novel I'm working on right now and leave the series until this one is complete. The series will be "next".

It's a practical thing, not a 'putting off'. For a series, sci fi publishers want the first novel complete and a synopsis of the next two. I don't write that way. I have no idea what's going to happen from sentence to sentence of any novel let alone by the end of it, so I can't write a synopsis until it's finished. Which means I need to finish three books in that series before I can send off the first one. Hence I am writing this stand-alone novel and leaving the series until this one is complete.

Funny.... when I left here the other night and went to write, I had an impression that I'd written about 150-175 pages in this novel. Boy was I mistaken! I sat down, opened the novel and glanced at the number of pages. I have over 390 written... which means the book is almost finished. I can't believe I didn't realize that before. It made me feel great to have done so much without realizing it. It also made me feel wonderful knowing I'm almost done.

Writing novels has never been a chore for me. I love it and sort of melt into the book once I sit down to write. I haven't ever experienced that thing called writer's block... yeah me!

It is time for me to just get this novel done and published. And someday you'll be writing about me and saying how I'm richer than the Queen. I'll be Jenna Douglas then, and easy to find I'm sure.

Thanks again for the imput.

Live in Light,
Coccinella

Hi Tamara--

Visited your website, by the way--very impressive.

I think that my answer upuntilnow of why I do what I do would be kind of embarrassing: to avoid pain (mostly) and to seek pleasure (on occassion). Also up there: duty, momentum, because I don't know what else to do. Only major exception to this was my shows--I'd do a show for the sake of the show. I enjoyed creating something.

Having worked daily on my assumptions about life and incorperating the certain way, I'd say that there's a new motivation: to have fun with all this! To celebrate! To suck the marrow dry . . .

Now--there's still a lot of that sluggish energy that tries to assert itself. But Rumi keeps me on my toes:

"Move. But not in the way that fear makes you move."

If not out of fear . . . if we're not forced to do something . . . what's left?

Here's wishing us all something to get up for in the mornings--

Ilana

quote:

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Originally posted by Coccinella:
It is time for me to just get this novel done and published. And someday you'll be writing about me and saying how I'm richer than the Queen. I'll be Jenna Douglas then, and easy to find I'm sure.

Thanks again for the imput.

Live in Light,
Coccinella

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We're all here cheering you on!

Many blessings, and, of course--
EXPECT Success!
Rebecca