In less than two weeks our school will be observing Spring Break. I've been thinking about it for a while now, making plans and lists. There are so many things I want to do, that I feel pulled in different directions.
The yard needs work, the house needs work. My office is a mess and could so use a good cleaning.
But the thing that needs the most work is my mind. I need to put my house in order, so to speak, but not my real house. No, what I'm talking about is the virtual house of my mind.
There are things I need to do, things I must do, and things I want to do. My problem is time allocation. I tend to get bogged down on the small stuff, to ignore the really important things that will propel my writing career in the direction I want it to go.
I find it is so easy for me to get side tracked and lose sight of my goals. So, I think I'll sit down with my planner and mark out a certain amount of time each day to devote to writing. There are other things I've allowed to slide, like meeting with my critique partner, which has got to be pulled to the front. I need the stimulation afforded by interaction with someone who "gets it."
So, when I start off with spring cleaning this year, it's my mind that is going to be dusted of cobwebs first. Then I'll go and tackle the real stuff. What about you? What are your plans for the spring? How do you stimulate your creativity and prime the pump for getting the job done?
The yard needs work, the house needs work. My office is a mess and could so use a good cleaning.
But the thing that needs the most work is my mind. I need to put my house in order, so to speak, but not my real house. No, what I'm talking about is the virtual house of my mind.
There are things I need to do, things I must do, and things I want to do. My problem is time allocation. I tend to get bogged down on the small stuff, to ignore the really important things that will propel my writing career in the direction I want it to go.
I find it is so easy for me to get side tracked and lose sight of my goals. So, I think I'll sit down with my planner and mark out a certain amount of time each day to devote to writing. There are other things I've allowed to slide, like meeting with my critique partner, which has got to be pulled to the front. I need the stimulation afforded by interaction with someone who "gets it."
So, when I start off with spring cleaning this year, it's my mind that is going to be dusted of cobwebs first. Then I'll go and tackle the real stuff. What about you? What are your plans for the spring? How do you stimulate your creativity and prime the pump for getting the job done?
Scarlet, you have some good ideas, especially the one about meeting with your critique partner more often!
If you don't set priorities and let your family know they are IMPORTANT, your break will be gone and you won't have spent time writing. Just saying.
I also need to set a schedule of sorts to make time for all the things I need to do.
I so get what yo mean! The minds the thing. And I so get it!!
Have a good spring break my friend!!!
MM, I intend to put my critique partner at the top of my list. Y'all do know that MM and Scarlet are critique partners, right? You are so right about the family. I think my son is taking the week off, so hopefully he will take the GD some of the time.
Mary R, I'm glad that you understand where the blog was coming from, I was afraid it might have been too much of a ramble.
Good luck with everything, Scarlet! As you know, it's really important for writers to make writing a priority which means juggling a whole lot of other stuff! You can do it!!!
Scarlet, I keep a written list I update daily, in order not to lose track of my priorities. My next tour blog will be at the top of my list to welcome my new book Rx IN RUSSIA,in three weeks. But that will mean putting writing on the back burner for sometime. You have my deepest admiration if you can promote and write at the same time.
Writing has to become TOP PRIORITY! All the little things will get taken care of sooner or later regardless.
Well said, Judy, Mona, and Barbara!
Judy, today we are doing yard work, setting out tomato plants and rose bushes. When I get hot I come in to my office and sneak a few minutes to write. I'm thinking of taking the computer outside, that way I can work while I supervise.
Mona, keeping a list that you update daily is a great idea. That way you don't have to remember exactly what you're next priority is. I'm going to start this todayl
Barbara, I like the way you prioritize! Writing definitely needs to top my list.
Life gets so busy it's hard sometimes to spend the needed time to write. I used to be so diligent and made 3-4 hours a day, but lately I don't seem to have the time, I don't know why so much is interfering. I need to get busy as my goal is to finish the book in progess by May or June so I can have the summer free and a nice long break, but I still have nearly half the book to go.
Patrice, I know what you mean. It is so hard to carve out a few minutes to write. I came in from the gardening and set my timer for 30 minutes. I intended to work diligently on the wip. DH came to the door and asked what's that ticking? Had to stop to explain. Then he said, Oh am I interfering? DUH! But he went away and I went back to work. Not much, but it was a start. I'll do more later I hope.
Scarlet, this is a very good post and one I need to pay heed to. I have similar challenges. :)
Sounds like you'll have a busy spring break! I like the dusting your mind of cobwebs. I need to do that too.
Whaaahhh! No spring here in West Palm Beach, one season hot and a little less hot! :0)
Wow! What a weekend. We planted Hydrangdras, rose bushes, weeping cherry tree, a sweet box bush,4 tomato plants and filled several pots with herbs. Busy, busy DH did most of the work, but I closely supervised. When we get all the stuff in the ground and the yard is lovely I will post pictures.
Still thinking about sweeping cobwebs from my mind. Will get to that next week, maybe.
I've also been running a board meeting for KOD and working on the year end financial report. So, no I didn't get any writing done this weekend.
Scarlet,
Spring break is on the horizon for SC, also. Because I teach piano lessons, I'm always in school teacher mode. Of course, my 16 year old daughter is very much looking forward to her break at the end of April. No beach vacation for her this year, though. She's off on a college tour of 6 SC schools. That tan she's wanting will need to wait until May.
Scarlett, I can relate to a bloggled mind. Like you, the small things bog me down. One thing that has helped me is to live in the moment. That's Zen for being aware of every second of your life. Whenever you feel flustered, stop, and take a few moments to remind yourself that you're probably worrying about past or future events. Then, tell yourself that right now, I'm fine. Everything always works out. And it does.