Fully Fueled

“The brain makes up 1/50^th of our body mass but consumes a staggering 1/5^th of the calories we burn for energy.”

I read that this morning in the book, The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan, and I’ve been thinking about it since. I’m not sure there’s a better argument for eating well and for managing your blood sugar.

This makes me think there is some truth to the common writing practice of consuming chocolate when your ideas flag. I just might have to go purchase some really good dark chocolate to stash in my desk.

It also begs the question—do better brains burn more calories? Or maybe struggling brains do. If your brain is efficient, does it burn less? So many questions.

For the last month, I’ve been making it a point to eat protein and fat for breakfast (no carbs), and I’ve been paying attention to how that affects me. I’d say it’s been an incredibly productive month and I’ve done some of my best writing, despite holidays and a litter of puppies sharing my office.

My best writing happens first thing after breakfast. My second best writing happens just after lunch/dog walk. So, even without the knowledge that my brain needs those calories to function, I had already been capitalizing on it by teeing up my most important creative work first thing.

I used to open my email first, just to see if there was anything important, but then I realized that anything important that arrives by email can wait a few hours. Everything else in my email is just a distraction, information, or entertainment, all of which can definitely wait a few hours.

The first thing I do when I sit down at my desk is write my intention for the day. By then, I’ve usually already posted the picture and intention on my socials (I do this while the dogs are eating).

I open up a blank document and write out what it means to follow that intention. Just a hundred words or so. Then I save it and jump into my real work. That little running start has really helped me get right into work.

These days, that’s one of my manuscripts. The pandemic backed up my projects so that I’ve got a fiction, nonfiction, and memoir in the works. It’s anyone’s guess which one will make it into print first (but my money is on the nonfiction as the other two could be tweaked forever).

What do you do first thing when your brain is fully fueled? Is it the most important stuff?

It should be.

Hey, thanks for reading. I know you’ve got lots of options, so thanks for sharing a few of your minutes with me.

Honored,

Cara

If you’re a writer (or you wanna be) and you’d like some guidance, editing, accountability, or some good old-fashioned encouragement in meeting your writing goals, reach out. I offer one-on-one coaching. Learn more here.

My latest novel, Blind Turn is a mother-daughter story of forgiveness in the aftermath of a fatal texting and driving accident. It won the Womens Fiction category of the American Writing Awards in 2022. Learn more about it and find out how to get your copy here.

If you’re curious about what else I’m up to, check out my website, CaraWrites.com.

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And If you’re a dog lover, check out my other blog, Another Good Dog. And if you want to know what is really happening in the animal shelters in this country, visit, Who Will Let the Dogs Out.

I’d love to connect with you on Facebook, twitter, or Instagram, and I’m thrilled to get email from readers (and writers), you can reach me at carasueachterberg@gmail.com.

My book, 100 Dogs & Counting: One Woman, Ten Thousand Miles, and a Journey Into the Heart of Shelters and Rescues is available anywhere books are sold, but if you’d like some help finding it (or want to read some lovely reviews), click here.