I'm sure you can relate to this. I've blocked the entire afternoon to draft a proposal for a conference. I diligently ensure that urgent issues at work have been addressed and that all of my distractions are eliminated - closing all extraneous applications and putting "do not disturb" on my phone. I settle into a comfortable chair on my patio to enjoy the sounds of nature and sunshine, open Microsoft Word, and...nothing!

After a few minutes, I become aggravated, wanting some epiphany or diversion. More painful minutes tick by. I truly believe the screen is now mocking me, even having the audacity to "go to sleep" from lack of action.

I continued to sit there, refusing to give in to the ever-increasing temptation to do something - ANYTHING - else. Maybe I should spend some time on the class that I purchased but haven't had time to start yet... Maybe I should continue working on the course I'm building... Maybe I should begin pulling together the data the board requested...

All viable alternatives but none with the same sense of urgency to me. And, there it was. The reason I was struggling so much even starting this proposal. I had placed so much weight on this, telling myself that it's been so long since I've published or presented academically, that somehow I'd wrapped up my worth as an academic with whether or not this proposal was accepted.

As soon as I recognized the rabbit hole I'd allowed myself to go down, I was able to pull myself back out and see the situation much more objectively. This allowed me to craft the crappy first draft that will, over the next few weeks, become the proposal I submit to the conference.

I'd love if you would share with me your own "blank page" moment and how you got yourself back on track.