A part of what I do in my day job is to oversee (facilitate and organise) the Association of Professional Futurists Emerging Fellows Programme.
Every year we choose a cohort of 6 Fellows from all over the world to join the programme. They learn about Foresight and Futures and they learn to write simple, clear, engaging and SHORT blogs on Foresight and Futures (You can find some of these blogs here. Many write in another language than their mother tongue (i.e. English). Kudos to them!
We welcome new Fellows in January with a session on writing (How to Write 101), so I’m thinking about what I will share with them. Often they ask me about how to get started and explain that they find it difficult. So when I saw the following (on Twitter) via Billy Oppenheimer (quoting Andrew Huberman about writing), it resonated with me.
“When you try to focus,” Huberman explains, "the brain circuits that turn on first are of the stress system." Meaning: "The agitation and stress that you feel at the beginning of something — when you're trying to lean into it and you can't focus — it’s just a recognized gate. You have to pass through that gate to get to the focus component."
There's a common misconception, Huberman continues, "The misunderstanding around how certain brain circuits work has led to this idea that there's some secret entry point — maybe marked 'flow' on the door — and there's a trampoline up to that door, and you just open that door, and you're immediately in [a deep state of focus]. And nothing could be further from the truth."
The truth is: "There is a gate of entry. You have to wade through some sewage before you can swim in clear water. That's the way I always think about it."
Many people learning to write worry that they can’t ‘just turn it on.’ They think that this means that they can’t write. I think that many people (including me) procrastinate over writing. I believe Huberman has identified exactly what is going on. It’s a gate. You need to get through that gate.
Recognising that it is a gate will help you get through it. Because if you are a writer, you have to write, even when you don’t feel like it. Like when a deadline looms. It is true for me that while there are times when I feel like writing and can’t wait to get to it, those are somewhat rare. So deadlines are good… or at worst a necessary evil.
Usually, I have a deadline or I have planned writing into a busy week and I just must make myself do it. I have to move through the procrastination of finding lots of other things to do (like cleaning the bathroom?!) and just force myself through that feeling. I usually find myself – once past that ‘agitation’ – just falling into it and enjoying it. Ditto for the research required before and during the writing.
It is important to note that many people feel this way. You are not alone! Just because you have this reaction when you want to write (or need to) doesn’t mean that you can’t, or that your writing isn’t good. It’s normal.
When I’ve written something I try to sleep on it. Editing is for another day (however, grammar correction is allowed). Sometimes you just have to throw everything out and start again. Sometimes you wonder who exactly wrote it… and then you put your blog/article/newsletter/book chapter through the crucible of editing and re-reading until you emerge with a finished piece. With luck, you’ll be proud of it.
I’d be delighted if you are willing to share your experiences with writing. Maybe you haven’t had the ‘agitation’ gateway. Let me know.
Before you go I’d like to wish you the very best for a lovely holiday season if you celebrate it at this time of year and a happy changing of the year.
Every year at this time my colleague Gill Ringland and I write a blog for Long Finance on Reasons to be Optimistic for the year. Please enjoy.
I look forward to connecting again in early 2024. May 2024 be a good year for all.
