No, not Plagiarism... Plateau
I have two ever-elusive goals, mostly because I have yet to embrace the Zen of Just Being. They involve writing and weight loss. And after months, okay years, of pursuing the goal to be published, and to see the scale at my wedding weight, I now find myself facing the dreaded P word.
Plateau, as a noun, has a rather serene definition: an area of relatively level high ground. Okay, I could tell myself that’s where I am. On a beautiful vista looking over the landscape of my accomplishments thus far.
But since I am on a pursuit toward an end, the P word, as it applies to me works more as a verb. And that definition is not as serene.
To plateau: to reach a state of little or no change after a time of activity or progress. Yeah. That’s more like it.
The scale won’t budge and the words won’t flow. I’m plateauing.
Which leads to the even bigger F word...
Frustration.
Of course, country and western wisdom says that I should just keep trucking even though the digital number on my scale refuses to move, for weeks now. And my new words have shrunk to zero, as I revise the first chapter of my WIP for the umpteenth time. But instead, I rant, rave, curse.
Why, oh why is this happening?
I am still exercising, dieting, writing, taking on-line classes, so why has my forward motion ground to a shrieking halt?
It’s inevitable and there are explanations. So I reassess and really look at what I’m actually doing. Looking to see if I have loosened my grip on the effort it really takes to accomplish my goals?
A nibble here, a taste there. A glass of wine on the 4th. Reading blogs and surfing the internet in the name of research, instead of actually writing on my WIP. And listening to that ever present, nay-saying critic in my head, instead of the wise guru on my shoulder.
I need to adopt a strategy to deal with plateauing. So I vow to shake things up. Relieve some of the monotony and boredom in my diet with new low-cal vegetables and foods. Increase my exercise intensity, with short bursts of running on the treadmill. And to write first thing in the morning before checking emails, blogs, websites, and even my classes.
Hopefully, I’ll be able to see my way through this stage of plateauing so that it doesn’t lead to an avalanche.
And I’d love to hear how you deal with your plateaus, or plateauing.
Some days, working on my writing can be really frustrating. When the writing part isn't coming, I usually go to my notebook and try to brainstorm ideas -- and often come up with something better.
ReplyDeleteI hear you, Suzanne! With the weight plateau you do need to shake things up, get the metabolism's attention. As for the writing, I don't know how people can keep up with all the blogs and interviews, etc., as well as write each day. Plus work! I guess for both, something has to give way to achieve what we want. :D
ReplyDeleteMan, If I knew the answer to this I'd be skinny and published - I am neither. One interesting thing I've read about recently was in a non fiction book called 'Moonwalking with Einstein' It's about memory, really, but also about competition. The author discovers what some experts call an 'OK plateau,' the point at which most people are 'OK' with their proficiency - whether that's at their careers, playing music, knitting, whatever. The point was - what differentiates the person who excels at something from someone who doesn't. This theory seems to say that it's about how much out of their comfort zone a person is willing to push themselves.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if that's helpful for you and your situation or not, but I found it interesting, and I think about that when I'm stuck.
Though, to be honest, it has not made me put down the pizza bagel.
Oh, good luck! Those plateaus are so frustrating because you are still working so hard but this time for NOTHING!
ReplyDeleteBut you seem like the determined type and I think you'll nip it.
You go girl!
Hi Suzanne:
ReplyDeleteI think we're neighbors on that plateau *waves* :))
In my writing life, I relegate all blogging, social media, etc. to Fridays ONLY. (of course, I've reluctantly started my own blog but it may be short-lived.) I was a journalist for a long time and learned to build a fence around my creativity. I think of it as a garden; I need to fertilize with research, networking, etc. but I also need to keep out the weed of wasted time. It's a delicate line to walk but I've had a lot of practice.
Andrea, I like the idea of brainstorming when the frustration hits. That's kind of what I do, looking at what is working and what isn't and then looking to change it up. But I can see stepping away from the computer with a notebook is helpful, I was doing that and didn't even realize it was a strategy. Thanks
ReplyDeleteGerri, that darn metabolism. I am sure mine has slowed to a turtle's pace. Sometimes I try to tell myself that my slow metabolism is actually a good thing. The better type of metabolism to have in the long run I would live longer on less food. Great when living in the caves, not so good now behind the computer with such abundant food.
ReplyDeletemagpiewrites, Moonwalking with Einstein sounds like you hit the nail on the head for me. The OKay plateau. I like that. It is absolutely true. I have lost 35lbs and look pretty good. Another 10 or 15 would be ideal but I'm OKAY at this weight and that plays into it I'm sure. I will have to check out that book. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSmall Town Shelly,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the vote of confidence. I am trying to be determined, some days are better than others.
Melodie, I love the analogy of the garden. You are so right to tend to creative time and keep out the weeds that can choke my growth. Great idea to keep the social networking to one day.
ReplyDeleteI used to have that problem, but I've gotten better. I think. I hope. I'm querying soon. I'll get back to you.
ReplyDeleteIt can be hard to keep your bonfire raging. Don't follow my example though. I do nothing to keep my bonfire going, just wait until it either reignites or dies. Usually it reignites, but not always.
ReplyDeleteOh man do I relate. Both to the weight and the writing. I hope you discover the answer and write a best-selling novel about it.
ReplyDeleteTil then, I'll be following on your blog.
Laura
laurabwriter.blogspot.com
I feel your pain. My struggle with weight control has gotten worse since I started writing. However, my writing flows.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could try this: Step away from your computor and take walks in the woods or perhaps in historically interesting places. Take a pad and pen with you and journal. It may start out as pure frustration then develop into reasons why you eat and finish with philosophies of life or love of nature. You may want to write a story thhat includes your own struggles and your interaction with unique people. Like what if you met a deviant hypnotist? Ok I'm getting riduculous now, but you get my drift, right?
Remember, to every time there is a season and God has good plans for you!
I hope this helps you.
I'm following you now.
Lol, I'm right there with you and Melodie. Stuck on that plateau, unsure how to move forward without sliding back in the process. I guess it comes down to mind over matter. Believe You CAN do it and you will!
ReplyDeleteI think you've answered your question:) Change it up. We get stuck in these ruts and I don't think we even realize we've gotten in them It sounds like you are being mindful of it and you are about to make a change. I see movement in your future!
ReplyDeleteSince I'm just starting out I use those plateau moments to either go back to the drawing board or read up on craft. I figure the more I read the less often I'll hit the road bumps in these early stages since I'll have gained so many new tools for my writer's tool kit.
ReplyDeleteThis is great post, but to me, plateau has a totally different meaning. I live a stone's throw from Seattle across Lake Washington on the Sammamish Plateau.
ReplyDeleteIt is an affluent city filled with Microsoft executives and their overly entitled, spoiled families. So when someone says "The Plateau," they say it like an inbred blueblood. I wish I had known that when I moved here from San Francisco 6 years ago.
BTW - I'm a fellow BlogFester and a new follower and while I came around to see if you had posted a question for Deana Barnhart's blogfest, I was intrigued by this post.
The one thing you haven't mentioned is the solution - reading books! I've got all my latest ideas/inspiration from reading in my genre. No plateauing for me, just keep reading. Let me know if it works.
ReplyDeleteTheresa, let me know how the querying goes. Is that how you get over a plateau, querying, putting yourself out there?
ReplyDeleteMcKenzie, I like the analogy of a bonfire raging, might be a way to think about how to keep the embers burning and then how to stoke that fire so it doesn't go out. Very hot idea.
ReplyDeleteLaura,
ReplyDeleteThanks for following. I'm hopping over to check out your blog.
Kathy, deviant hypnotist, I like it. Very intriguing.
ReplyDeleteWalking in nature, I've read about other successful authors suggesting that and I live 15 minutes from the beach. On my to do list. Thanks.
Deana, being mindful is what I'm shooting for, not giving up, instead changing it up. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteVicky, I'm with you on reading up about the craft. I am a workshop junkie too. That always helps, when a new class starts I'm re-motivated. Thanks for commenting.
ReplyDeleteLindy, mind over matter, very powerful stuff. I just hate when my mind would rather wallow than be powerful, LOL. Thanks for reminding me though.
ReplyDeleteNancy, inbred blue blood a Plateau dweller, now that is interesting. Funny sometimes the locations we find ourselves in. I'm going to hop on over and check out your blog. Thanks for commenting.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, thanks for the suggestion. I tend to save my reading as a reward, but using it to bust through a plateau might be fun.
ReplyDelete