Stop 6: Researching the Holes in the Track

One of my biggest problems as a writer and worker in general is my tendency to over-research a topic to the point of overt redundancy.  I am what the DISC model calls a high “C”, which means I like to have all my ducks in a row and my facts lined up before I make a decision or take action.

The problem, however, with pointing out all the potential holes in the track before getting the train out of the station is that while thorough, the process is very time consuming and the window of opportunity passes all too quickly.

Take for example my writing career.  There are many things that I can write about on the subject of Las Vegas, however I can never seem to stop Googling the darn subject long enough to actually write anything worthwhile.

Or when trying to launch my career as a freelance trainer - I always have one more class to take, one more seminar with which to disseminate information, one more book to read.  This all came to a head today, where, in the ultimate example of my researchitis addiction, I attended yet another seminar on how to make money as a professional trainer and speaker.  The only thing different about this one is that it detailed specifically how to break into the potentially lucrative market of college continuing education.  And I gotta say, it was worth every penny I spent on it.

At this point, I need to take action.  Again.  If anyone knows of a motivation/take action pill I can take, I could sure use one write now.

Maybe my lack of motivation has to do with my lack of focus.  My search in trying to find the niche that’s the most comfortable for me.  Just because I know enough about a topic to write and speak about it doesn’t mean I want to do it.

Therein lies my problem.  I mean, I know I want to travel, write, and teach.  The problem is, what exactly?  These three areas are so broad, and I’m like an ADD patient (no disrespect) where my ideas bounce around so much it makes my head spin.

So at this point, I need to ask myself: Out of my three passions, which do I love the most?  After teaching at the Red Cross for several weeks, my answer is clear.  My first love is training.  Writing and traveling tie in at second.  And I’ve discovered a 4th passion, one which I knew I had but didn’t realize until recently that I could make a living out of it.

All my life I’ve loved to help people, and graduating from a Sacred Heart school, I learned the benefits of community service and volunteerism.  No longer is my motivation solely dependent on the bottom line.  My work needs to mean something, it has to make a difference.  Which is probably why I’m so picky about corporate job prospects – I’d rather work for non-profits.  It’s less money, but it feeds my soul.  Something I was missing for a good 10 years of my life.

And so I guess the title of this blog could just as much be titled, “Traveling the Right Train” as opposed to “Traveling the Write Train”.

So at this stop, I’ve discovered a potential new direction my career could head into.  Let’s see what happens next.

Stop 5: Derailed by Disney

The last two weeks have been a roller coaster, much like the ones you find at Disney.  I say Disney, because that’s where I was last week.  And while fun, I have not written nearly as much as I wanted to.  The writer’s block has been ridiculously oppressive, the motivation teasingly absent, the blank pages mocking me.

It’s depressing, and for the first time since starting this journey, I want off the train.  Or at least rest for a while.  I’m overwhelmed, and I need to focus, but the train is going so fast I don’t know where I am anymore.

It’s getting to the point where my life is starting to spin like it does when you’re on the magic teacups at Disney.  It’s exhilarating, but it’s starting to make my head hurt.  I wanted to travel, and I am.  But my training deadlines are looming, and my writing projects are falling behind.  I need to catch my breath.

Does anyone have any idea how to stop this thing?  I think I’m going to be sick.