Why Deliberate Action Influences a Writer’s Growth

Identification, liberation, validation: Three words, which build the world of the author.

As the writer inside develops, growth outside also develops. We identify with the writers, who inspire us with their words, woven in a tangle of intrigue and intuitive focus. I’ve found writing to inspire my identity in more ways than I can imagine.

For instance, the book, The Daily Stoic’s Journal by Ryan Holiday caught my attention. Here I stood, in the psychology section of Barnes and Noble. The book stood out, not because I wanted to read it, but because I had removed the book from the business section months ago. My plan was to return and buy the book in a week. Months slipped by.

• Great plans fall short when we limit deliberate action.

The book, now sitting beside the companion book, The Daily Stoic (which I do own) awaits the right owner to purchase the valuable content.

I decided to return the journal and grabbed Stillness is the Key, another book by Holiday.

As I replaced the Stoic books, side-by-side, I let out a little laugh. I went to find a specific book, located a previous title I had wanted, only to pick a different book altogether.

• Life and writing, seem to take similar paths.

We are liberated to choose what we want to read, when we want to read, and how we read. Some of us use highlighters, others take notes, some a simple checkmark next to a quote works. What works for you?

The life of every man is a diary in which he means to write one story, and writes another; and his humblest hour is when he compares the volume as it is with what he vowed to make it.— J.M. Barrie

As the writer inside develops, growth outside also develops.

A writer’s growth

The path of the writer validates my existence. The more I write the more I find myself evolving from the work of that past. Every day I move toward who I know I am, by a deliberate step in the direction of my goals.

• Goals line up by motives.

Sometimes smaller, easily obtained goals lead the way. Forward motion in writing develops perseverance unknown to non-writers. Growth moves us forward; small goals act like steps.

Great plans fall short when we limit deliberate action.

Full acceptance, as I am right now, requires self-compassion. The chance to improve ‘me’ keeps me focused.

• I am on the lookout for opportunities to practice growth.

Flexible enough to change, and daring enough to resist over-doing stuff, momentum envelopes me. To become the writer I need to be is to embrace the writer I currently am.

Cato parsed out his own thoughts, made sure he was not reacting emotionally, selfishly, ignorantly, or premature. Only then would he speak — when he was confident that his words were worthy of being heard. ~Holiday

We ask ourselves the same, can we wait to share a thought, until we know we have looked at all sides? Can we hold ourselves back in restraint, while we limit the ego’s desire to jump up and create waves?

• Writers inspire me.

The writer may be a little known author, who happened to write a book I find at a used bookstore. Maybe they are famous. You mention their name and someone’s eyes light up.

Either way, you can find inspiration to fuel your growth as an individual and as a writer. Never despair, you’ll arrive when you keep action-oriented.

Without inspiration the best powers of the mind remain dormant. There is a fuel in us, which needs to be ignited with sparks. — Johann Gottfried Von Herder

Who inspires your work?

Do you identify your poetry with Dickenson, Shakespeare, Wordsworth, or Frost? Does reading Twain, King, or Thoreau inspire you? What about Aristotle, Socrates, or Brené Brown?

For all the words written, your words inspire others to thrive in a world confused and saddened by so much chaos. Find your inspiration and then seek out a space of time to share your thoughts.

• To write is to live.
• To live is to share.
• To share is to inspire.

Only you know what inspires you, and who knows what your work inspires in others.

~Just a thought by Pamela

About Me: Pamela J. Nikodem, MS immersed herself in studies surrounding relationships, domestic violence, and trauma. Her focus is to guide men into a place of peaceful assertiveness. She holds three jobs: An Intern at Roger’s Behavioral Health focused on Addiction and Mental Health; Catholic Charities as a D.V. Educator, and teaches violin at Jim’s Music Center in Green Bay, WI. In her spare time, she writes poetry and self-help articles. ©2020