From the series: Life on Dog Hill
Maybe it’s just me, but I think there is a universal hex on planning ahead. The focused concentration required to meticulously schedule one’s life and accomplish desired outcomes simply poo-pooed by the Great Divine.
Let’s take last week, for example. For months I’ve known that on Monday, 7 January I’d start writing again. I’ve been so excited to get back into the creative groove and since my next book is fiction — and I LOVE writing fiction — I could hardly wait.
But, I have other responsibilities too so I took the time to schedule all that I needed to do with the kids, house, pets and administration in a nice calendar template. Yes, Monday through Friday from 0600 to 1800 were carefully planned. I gave myself the evenings and weekends off for spontaneous fun and (goes-without-saying) “catch-up” for whatever didn’t get done during the week.
Suffice it to say, out of five very scrupulously planned days only one day went according to plan. The other four days? Annihilated. How will I ever get my book written at this pace?
Shall I ignore unexpected visitors? How about my sick children? Seriously!
I would feel better believing that last week’s carefully planned time churned into chaos was purpose driven. Perhaps it was so I would learn to be more flexible (any more flexibility here and I’ll make the US Olympic gymnast team). Or maybe it was so I could meet my goals in other ways (my years of diverse effort simply isn’t enough). Or maybe it means I need to look again at my planning. One thing for sure, I need to do something if I’m going to get my next book out.
Moving forward I’ve decided shuffle the schedule. As soon as the last of the four kids is out the door to school, I’m switching into writing mode. Email won’t be checked until later in the day. Social media planning and promotions lose the morning slot, too. Foreign language learning? Afternoons!
You know what that gives me? Four solid hours of writing each day! Utopia!
Wait a minute…. Perhaps last week’s devilish chaos served a purpose after all! It was all about prioritizing what is most important — my writing! It was about me recognizing what I missed most about last week — my writing! It was about me putting the little things last — right where they should be.
*Smiles at self
Okay universe — you win! Oh, and thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Image found here.
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