Greetings, writer and non-writer friends! Are you in a pinch with a project? For help with any challenging task (or even a little one), consider what I call the S.U.D.S. method. It deserves a lot of credit for helping me complete my recent book, From the Porch to the Page. I shared this method at my book launch and will discuss it at upcoming writerly events, so thought I’d go ahead and share it here on the blog.
These days, S.U.D.S. serves me well in every situation I face.
If you’re staring down a mountainous project—from writing a book to folding that unruly pile of laundry—give S.U.D.S. a try.
Lather up any project with S.U.D.S.
Note: The S.U.D. part of the acronym in bold is a quote from Arthur Ashe (famed tennis player) found here.
I added the final “S” to make it S.U.D.S.
S = Start where you are. Acknowledge how you feel and what the problem or challenge actually is that you face.
U = Use what you have. Consider also how to reuse, repair, recycle relevant resources.
D = Do what you can. Take action regarding what you discovered with “S” and “U” to move toward your goal.
S = Stay in your lane, Charlene says. Focus on your task and mind your own business. This includes saying “No” to things beyond your control. (“S” comes from my experience of swimming laps in the pool.)
Now, go ahead and see what happens when you apply S.U.D.S.
Helpful hint: Keep this list handy. I posted the list in my writing room. Whenever I look at it, I feel grounded and hopeful. How about you?
Thanks for reading! Next time: a post about an ancient library and the need for public libraries today.
Your writer on the wing,
Charlene
Kathleen Brandt
Thanks for this, Charlene.
I especially like the second ‘S’.
Charlene L. Edge
Me, too. Love swimming those laps. Also, when I think of that second “S,” it reminds me to be aware of keeping boundaries in relationships and in protecting my writing time.
Linda Goddard
Thank you, Charlene! I like the “S,” too!
Charlene Edge
Thanks for reading, Linda.
Lynette Villegas
Very grounding. It’s interesting how we are in a state to find what will ground us after two plus years of pandemonium. It’s time to get grounded. Thank you for the S.U.D.S. I think I will start with a bubble bath.
Charlene Edge
Thanks for reading this, Lynette. Glad you find it useful!
Charlene L. Edge
P.S. I found another blogger who used Arthur Ashe’s quote for a similar purpose as I did. See Toby Hazelwood, July 3, 2018 here.