Ask the Author: Souha Ezzedeen
Answered Questions (6)
Souha Ezzedeen
Luckily, this doesn’t happen to me too often, thanks to the Pomodoro technique, which I relied on extensively when I was writing "The Way of Life Method." I still use it to this day, even when I’m writing smaller pieces of text such as blogs, social media posts, or even emails to virtual clients. I simply set my kitchen timer for 15-30 minutes, depending on how much time I think I need, and I start writing anything that comes to mind, without judgment, editing, or questioning the quality of what I’m coming up with. This wasn’t easy at first. Like many, I let myself get distracted or felt the urge to edit my fledgling work. Luckily, I am much more proficient now at just writing anything—anything at all—and then going back to edit and check the value of what I came up with. Often, I discover that it’s not bad at all. If I really don’t feel I can come up with anything, I focus on non-writing responsibilities for a while. These help me return to my writing later, refreshed and ready for that flow state again.
Souha Ezzedeen
Hands down, it is the feeling of flow, magic, and timelessness I felt when writing for hours and hours on end. As much as I love being on my feet, active, and out and about with my dogs, there are few things I enjoy as much as being at my desk with my computer, my notes, my beverage, and the pups not too far from me and engaging with my writing. Whether I’m working on my monthly newsletters, social media posts, or books, I always go in with a little apprehension, knowing I am about to get sucked into my writing cloud and disconnect from everting else. Another feeling I adore is when I’ve written and roughly edited a section, and I get to print it out and read it on paper with a pen in hand. One can see things differently on paper than on the screen, and being able to take my printout and edit the text in another part of the house is another aspect of writing I really enjoy.
Souha Ezzedeen
The moment I committed to writing my book and began to actively work on it, whenever I would mention working on my book, people started telling me they wanted to write. It was very interesting. Almost everyone I spoke with had ideas for books, but they just weren’t sure whether they could write a book—whether they had it in them or had the time. They also wondered whether anyone would care about their message or wisdom, or the story they wanted to share. I sure felt the same way at times! But I could also see in my own experiences as a trainer and dog owner that there was such a strong need for the help I wished to provide. To hold back on publishing my book felt like a disservice to humanity. Steven Pressfield’s "The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles" is a book I often flipped through for reminders to keep going, and it is one I would recommend to any aspiring writer.
Souha Ezzedeen
The discipline to work (at writing or anything else) comes easily to me. I would describe myself as a workaholic in the sense that I truly enjoy working, getting things done, and accomplishing things on time and well. But inspiration is a different state than simply being productive. Often, I get inspired to write when I am not writing and not fretting about writing. I find inspiration when I am doing something entirely different, like walking my dogs or tidying up the house. With a background in management and organizational behavior, I know a thing or two about behavior, performance, productivity, and why we procrastinate. I know that there can be such a thing as “productive procrastination.” So I’ll take my time, delay my writing, and do other things in the meantime as I set the stage for what I know will be a time of not only inspiration but perspiration. I should also mention that meditation, mindfulness, and breathing practices go a long way in settling my mind and making it much easier to access the well of inspiration within, and that’s true for everyone.
Souha Ezzedeen
"The Way of Life Method" is my first book but it will not be my last. I have a series of books in mind, related to various aspects of the Way of Life Method. There are two that I am actively working on right now. The first one will apply the Way of Life Method to specific behavioral issues such as reactivity, aggression, anxiety, and resource guarding. It will explain our understanding of these issues, look at popular approaches to dealing with them, and describe how the Way of Life Method would go about solving these problems differently. The second book will shine the light on the humans behind the dogs. It will describe the character, personality, and outlook on life that help us become the kinds of people that our dogs need and deserve so they can thrive. Aside from books, I have been busy working with my clients and presenting webinars and seminars. In the next few months, I expect to roll out a digital course on getting started with the Way of Life Method. I hope to reach as wide an audience as possible and bring the empowering and liberating message of the Way of Life Method to people who need it, all around the world.
Souha Ezzedeen
I can’t say that I got the idea for "The Way of Life Method" in one momentary flash—it reflects years of theoretical learning and practical experience. The book is a detailed explanation of a method for dog owners and guardians that was a long time in the making, using an approach that is the product of years of reflection and practice. "The Way of Life Method" describes a detailed program to raise sound and well-adjusted dogs, to heal and rehabilitate behavioral issues in their dogs, and to build a deeper bond between humans and canines. I decided to write the book soon after I founded my business, Way of Life Dog Training, in 2019. I was trying to coach and train people who are used to the mainstream perspective on rearing dogs, and I was seeing rising levels of behavioral issues. It became clear to me that I need to have a book or manual that students of the method can consult, whether they are training with me or not. I decided to not wait any longer and began writing soon after founding my business.
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