I love Sheryl Sandberg for helping today’s professional women pursue their goals. Her book ‘Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead‘ has been inspirational to so many, including my own daughter. ‘Lean In’ is the phrase she’s coined to suggest that all women have a valuable contribution to offer…our ideas and our experiences are equally as important as those offered by our male counterparts. With encouragement to ‘sit at the table’, she encourages women to ‘seek challenges, to take risks and pursue goals with gusto.’ I’ve long been out of the corporate world, but her message is one that certainly resonates with me. I’d often found myself as the only woman sitting at a conference table surrounded by men. It was intimidating, I won’t lie.
As this last holiday season approached and 2013 was seriously winding down, I’d already made the decision to lean in at my own table. After attending a meeting of the California Writers Club as a non-member (because I don’t consider myself a real writer) I listened to several panelists, all published authors, speak about their personal writing experiences over the years and the importance of perseverance when it comes to the journey that all writers embark upon.
After attending that meeting, I became excited about THE END. In the weeks that followed, I began to give serious consideration to the commitment of completing my big writing project within SIX MONTHS. That’s a huge undertaking for me, because this project has been going on now for… well, for way too long. It’s not because I want to be dragging my feet, but it’s because the emotional pain of writing it has been such a burden that it’s weighed me down for months and months at a time. And, I’ve allowed that personal pain to intimidate me…because why else would it be taking me this long?
I know that it must be the same for everyone who struggles to write about difficult times in their lives. I’m not unique, and I know I’m not alone.
And, I’m not at all interested in publication. Which is why I know it’s time… to simply get on with it. It’s my history, the fabric from which I’m made, not perfectly ironed, but solidly formed. I can’t wait to type the words THE END. The personal sense of accomplishment will be incredibly gratifying, and finally, I’ll be able to put that part of my life back inside the emotional vault where it was securely contained for so many decades, until something unexpected happened that simply blew the lid off.
I’ve signed the contract, I’ve made the official commitment to complete this manuscript in SIX MONTHS. June 2014.
That’s my table…and I am LEANING IN. Who’s with me?
Life and Other Turbulence 
I’m with you my friend, leaning in right/write with you 🙂
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We CAN do it! I’ve submitted my synopsis, outline and first 2500 words. Pushing that SEND button was so difficult, but an IMMEDIATE sense of lightness came over me the minute I did. Didn’t expect that! Awaiting feedback now. And moving forward with the writing almost every day (and into the wee hours of the night) except for when I’m working. But heading off to work is a good distraction and the drive time allows me to think about the writing in a less focused way, which is bringing in new thoughts. WHAT a journey. Sherri, we can do this together. I’m here if you need encouragement or a shoulder…don’t hesitate to reach out. I may be reaching out to you if I find myself stumbling 🙂 Looking forward to your next post…its like receiving a letter from a kindred spirit. Write on, write on, write on!
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Ahh bless you and wonderful news! Yes, of course, please, you know where I am. We can and will support one another. I’ve written my fourth chapter and feeling much better about progressing after a very angst-ridden time of it, agonising over it all. I sooooo understand what you are going through!
Kepp on keeping on my friend, as we both ‘write’ on… 🙂
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Congratulations on your “will” to WRITE!! Why do we women say, “I’m not a real writer,” or after getting a big promotion, say,”Oh I was lucky?” This book has really inspired me and I am including the book’s concepts into my blog. Keep up the good work!
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Thank you Terri! Funny, I always thought I’d earned the promotions at work, but when it comes to writing, I guess because I’ve never published, I’m not convinced I can label myself a writer. Look forward to reading your blog, and thanks for taking the time to stop by and read mine!
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I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this website. I am hoping to check out the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my very own blog now 😉
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Thank you for your very kind comments! Much appreciated.
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