Some time after starting a new project or adventure, when only the unknown lies ahead, confidence can fade. Reaching a goal can seem overwhelming—even impossible. But it’s not. Even when past failures are used to predict the odds of success or failure in the present, the outcome is never predestined. The outcome is influenced by what we decide to do.

One of the biggest obstacles we face when creating something new is self-doubt. Negative self-talk often accompanies and always reinforces self-doubt. Self-doubt can detour us from our goals if we let that happen. It’s possible to talk yourself into failing to reach your destination if you don’t pay close attention to the messages you send to yourself.

If negative self-talk is a problem you’re familiar with, try writing a 6-word memoir about yourself and the situation.  Writing what you’re thinking will slow your thinking so you can hear the quality of the chatter. Stay positive.

Here’s the 6-word memoir I wrote after not reaching my Day One NaNoWriMo 2015 goal to write 1,644 words. Because of the change from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time I woke up at 3:30 AM, and my mind felt fuzzy all day.

NaNoWriMo 6-Word Memoir

Tired. Still, I wrote 703 words.