adults and children

As always, life is too short to not do the things you want to do.

creativity, encouragement, enthusiasmLeslie McAdamMarch 2, 2022bass guitar, learning, music, fun, creativity, playComment

trying again

Is there something you want to do but don’t do because you can’t do it perfectly? Allow yourself to just do it anyway.

encouragement, mental health, vacationLeslie McAdamFebruary 19, 2022perfectionismComment

book rec: writing motivation

the motivational speech on writing I needed to read this week…

fear, enthusiasm, encouragement, creativity, story, the best advice, writingLeslie McAdamJanuary 22, 2022writing, fear, motivationComment

rule breaking

There’s a freedom in not being wrong all the time. Or in fearing being wrong when there actually isn’t a right or wrong.

fear, hero's journey, encouragement, enthusiasm, riskLeslie McAdamJanuary 8, 2022skam, druck, ismail inci, isiComment

2021 in review, writing edition

How did your year turn out compared to how you thought it would be?

creativity, boy on a train, encouragement, hero's journey, romance, undone, writingLeslie McAdamDecember 15, 20212021Comment

unfinished work

I’m realizing how much of getting ahead is simply believing in yourself.

fear, creativity, encouragement, writing, story, riskLeslie McAdamNovember 17, 2021writingComment

gateway habits

can I break this down into something so simple that I can’t come up with any excuses not to do it? If so, that’s my new habit.

writing, organization, mental health, encouragementLeslie McAdamNovember 13, 2021habitsComment

awkward

“Allow yourself to be awkward.” — Natalie Goldberg

encouragement, risk, writingLeslie McAdamOctober 23, 2021Comment

fear

if I’m not scared of publishing, I haven’t pushed myself far enough to say something worth saying.

creativity, encouragement, fearLeslie McAdamSeptember 29, 2021creativityComment

death ... dogs ... rabbits

… to quote twenty one pilots … death inspires me like a dog inspires a rabbit.

encouragementLeslie McAdamSeptember 25, 2021creativityComment

84 days

without listing my accomplishments, my natural inclination is to discount what I’ve done and think I haven’t done anything.

I’m wrong.

encouragement, hero's journey, writingLeslie McAdamSeptember 4, 2021writingComment

reminder: gradually, then all at once.

… know that when the proverbial chickens come to roost, well, they actually will. Perhaps, all at once

encouragement, creativity, hero's journeyLeslie McAdamSeptember 1, 2021patienceComment

one hundred

I think the upbeat attitude is what is keeping her going.

encouragementLeslie McAdamAugust 21, 2021grandmaComment

protection

What if every negative thought I have is actually a form of protection?

encouragement, fear, hero's journey, mental health, recovery, riskLeslie McAdamAugust 18, 2021mental health, goalsComment

starting up again

The second important part of a habit is doing it again after you missed a session.

encouragement, undone, writingLeslie McAdamAugust 14, 2021habits, writingComment

the key is to show up

I think the key is to remember that none of it lasts. The tough writing days don’t last. The easy, in-the-flow writing days don’t last.

encouragement, enthusiasm, writingLeslie McAdamJune 30, 2021writingComment

variety

So, while my usual advice of reaching a goal is to chunk it down into bite sized pieces, there is something to be said for challenges and variable daily goals.

writing, organization, encouragement, enthusiasmLeslie McAdamJune 19, 2021writing, goalsComment

how I became a writer, part 1, because Kristy asked me to write this down

I wasn’t totally sure WHAT it was I wanted to write (a refrain that lasted decades). I just knew I adored books.

dreams and goals

I realized today I hadn’t made those dreams into goals. Because I haven’t really believed they could happen.

encouragement, enthusiasm, creativity, fear, risk, writingLeslie McAdamJune 2, 2021dreams, goals, writingComment

middles

Finishing something is such a small part of life.

encouragement, fear, risk, writing, middleLeslie McAdamMay 29, 2021middle, writingComment

Leslie McAdam's blog