Resolving the Logjam

[Starting & Finishing - III]

I’m working on a manuscript for a new book. I have legal pads full of notes. I’ve detailed an outline. But I haven’t written a word in the body of the first chapter. The book is about to burst out of me, but it seems there is something locking it in. I literally cannot do any more researching, planning, or prep work.

And it’s been like this for three months.

Until two days ago.

I had a small project to do on the house. I see it every time I’m in the living room. Months and months have passed, and I haven’t lifted a finger to check the job off my to-do list.

Until two days ago.

I went to Home Depot, bought the material, immediately came home, and knocked out the job. The following morning, the words started to flow. The writing of the current manuscript was underway.

Sometimes to start something we must finish something else. They don’t appear connected. They are.

What's your unfinished “business" that needs to be addressed? It could be the logjam holding up the current thing you want to start.