I like going with the flow, but I also like getting things done. This week: how to find the balance? How to make it a productive flow? I'm going back to my practice of tracking my hours: writing is blue, filmmaking red, mind/body stuff purple, general appointments pink... Will the intention to get more done be enough?
Here's a photo from one of this week's walks. Actually a photo of me taking a photo of Mt Baker.
Monday Meeting: Goals for the week of 2/21/10:YA novel
- Contact readers w/questions from comments
- Revise Chapter Three and send to writing partner
- Add synopsis to computer
- Complete the final steps to launch
- Meditate at beginning of day just before starting to write
- Two walks in nature
Phew. I thought that maybe I had missed an e-mail that I was supposed to give you feedback on...
ReplyDeleteI don't think writing can be forced, and I think that we have to live well in order to write well. But, then again, I'm not the best taskmaster.
Maybe I should crack a whip.
Nope. That's not me.
Go with the flow. You'll get in a writing rut soon enough, and ignore the life side of things.
However, if you could magically make my flow faster, I'd be psyched! ;)
Thanks for reminding me that I'm not the only one stuck in a slow current at times!
Robert, the things that distracted you from your goals are not excuses, they are part of life. We all have weeks when we do not get enough done. Hell, I've had years of it...but that's not what's important. Balance is important, but in three months are you going to look back on last week and say, "I wish I had..." No, you'll be over it by then because everything will have moved on. When you have so many projects going at the same time, it is inevitable that some will take precedent over others, no matter what your initial intentions were. Having a partner in the first place who has commitments takes precedent over your less time sensitive goals, yes? If not, then you would've met your goals last week.
ReplyDeleteBalance is not always a reality, but it's certainly worth pursuing. A lesser-known part of 'balance' is forgiving yourself.
I like the idea of tracking hours. Can you show us here how that works? Or how you do it? You have a lot going on right now. Balance is always hard, but that stuff would make it extra hard!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a productive week. Tracking hours sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I absolutely love that photo. Thanks for sharing it.
And that photo is great!
ReplyDeleteI forgot, your first goal looks like the priority. Yes, yes it does.
ReplyDeleteWhat are people called who agree with themselves all the time?
Narcissistic? Is that it?
Yes.
Yeah for the instant satisfaction of seeing my comment!
ReplyDeleteAlso, why do I always resort to sarcastic self-deprecation on your blog? It's not a reflection on you, I promise.
I will be Mr. Positivo from here on out.
Heather - I love what you say, "that we have to live well in order to write well." Of course, it could be taken to sybaritic indulgence, but we're not that kind of people; we're writers. As a good friend has said to me frequently. We have to fill the well in order to give from the well.
ReplyDeleteSo... no guilt for yesterday w/a friend who was visiting Seattle. Today, however, I'm out the gate & working.
Jonathan, a.k.a. Mr. Positivo - Balance & forgiveness. You're a wise one. And, um, I apologize for inspiring sarcastic self-deprecation. One of my gifts, I guess.
ReplyDeleteTina - I have a Mac, so it came w/iCal, a calendar program where I look at my schedule by the week (or day or month). Then I block out the hours I'll be working on different projects (color-coded... I love that). I try to make a schedule for the week, then as the days go by I record what I actually did. I went self-employed in June 2008, and this helped me show myself that I'm spending my days productively.
ReplyDeleteI think I have too much going on and won't do anything about YA novel #2 until I've finished the film work.
Paul - I explained to Tina how I track my hours w/iCal. I'm curious about you. You're self-employed. Do you have a system to help you feel productive? Or maybe you're grounded and wise and just know that you're doing the right things.
ReplyDeleteThanks about the photo!
Mr. Positivo gave you an award.
ReplyDeleteCame through via Heather's blog. And I like your words. So I'm going to stick around for a while. :D
ReplyDeleteLife happens - every day, every week. It just so happens that some weeks more stuff happens than usual. Isn't that part of going with the flow?
ReplyDeleteThis is a little late, but the title of this post is all wrong. The flow isn't slow, it's just going in a different direction than what you want. You can waste your time building flimsy dams or you can let the flow carry you where it will, as your blog title suggests.
ReplyDeleteI love the photo. And I'm a big walker, too...I get a lot out of those things.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a productive and relaxing weekend, it's possible to have both I think :) I'll start reading your novel tomorrow. I love walking/hiking as well.
ReplyDeleteHi all - sorry for being an inattentive blogger this week.
ReplyDeleteValerie - thank you for joining & welcome. I love that you entered through Heather's - she's the best!
Laura - you're right & that's wisdom.
Anita - yay for walking!
Charlie - A productive Saturday. But Sunday... I'm learning for the partner of a minister, not so much. But good times w/good people.