The White Page of Terror
By: Pamela J. Nikodem
Tags: Life, Memories, Writer, Writing, Stories

Joseph Michael, of Scrivener, the writing/book creating app I use on my iMac introduced me to Jeff Goins. I sign up for all of the free writing courses, as you never know if you will have time or if they will strike something inside to propel you toward writing.

Yesterday I was busy and missed my one hour live, free book writing course. Do I feel bad? Not really. Although I would have loved to join in and learn, I also realize as a business owner, there is only one person who can do my job, and that is me right now. Some luxuries like seminars have to fall into the bin of never, while I devote my time to essentials. What I find helpful is when they send a recorded replay of the event and I am able to listen/watch at home. Since my time is rarely wasted, yesterday I was able to listen in and gain some more needed insight.

Writing is part of my daily routine.

Now, back to the blank page. The blinking cursor reminds me of every time I tap a key a new letter emerges, providing my writing with some insight driven by the wonders of the written word. How powerful is the thought? More than I can describe.

In the process of writing, learning, and personal development, I will randomly look for quotes. A well written quote often inspires a complete article. I found one by Randy. Who is Randy? A professor of Carnegie-Mellon University, Randy devoted his career to helping young people find their spark in life around virtual reality and created a legacy at the University.

He found out he was dying of pancreatic cancer and summed up his work and career in a head fake of a lecture. I never knew what a head fake was until I watched his talk. The powerful adage of a head fake made me lean in more, to take in the concepts, to realize how powerful someone’s words are as they grow and continue to focus on what legacy they leave behind.

Now, you may be wondering what is a head fake. Its where you make something so interesting and so engaging you are learning at the same time, but it doesn’t feel like learning. For instance, the word: Homework makes everyone’s gut cringe (unless that’s your thing). If you make the experience inviting, interesting, and intriguing people get the homework done, without even realizing what they are doing. That’s a head fake.

One hour later, with tears in my eyes, and thankfulness for the buoyancy of spirit Professor Pausch shared in his talk called “The Last Lecture” I decided to keep my focus instead of getting lost in the shuffle of life.

“Never lose the childlike wonder. Show gratitude… Don’t complain; just work harder… Never give up.” — Randy Pausch

Randy was invited to write a book, however he knew he didn’t have a lot of time and wanted to spend most of the remaining time with his three young children and his wife, Jai. He was approached by Jeffrey Zaslow, who co-wrote his book: The Last Lecture. How did Randy find the time? He had to ride his bike for exercise everyday, to maintain health. So,for one hour every day, he would put on a headset and dictate his life story to Jeffrey, who in turn was typing everything out as he rode his bike.

He was able to get in 59 dictation sessions before Randy was too weak to ride his bike anymore. Consider his ability to adapt: 60 minutes of dictation for 59 days. On my reading list is the book they wrote. I was so inspired by his purpose and focus I know the book will be one of my favorites.