Happy Friday! As this week drew to an end, I pondered on what I wanted to talk about today. What came to mind first is the subject of how we spend our daily allotment of time. It’s a sensitive topic for me, but I’ll share.
Are you struggling to find enough time to complete life’s daily to-do lists like me? I live alone, so I am only accountable to myself. Sometimes, that’s not good, as I generally lean toward being undisciplined in daily routines.
Sure, there are some things I do daily without giving any thought. But aside from the daily actions required for survival, things can go in many different directions.
I love playing word games on my phone. They don’t take much time, and yet I can get lost in Wordle. I tell myself it’s helping keep my brain sharp. Right?
I spend a copious amount of time clearing out emails, and then there are blogs to visit and social media posts to put up. You see where this is headed, don’t you?
I know all about the concept of making lists and giving each chore a certain amount of allotted time. And I understand the benefits of being strict with my time on each chore. I tell myself that every day. Then myself tells me basically to butt out, that I’m free to do whatever I want. It’s a never-ending cycle.
Have any of you ever seen the movie “In Time?” I haven’t watched it yet, but it is on Netflix and on my radar. Maybe this weekend. The movie’s basic premise is that time is the exchange currency instead of money. I’ll share more about it after I watch it. In the movie, each morning, each person is issued the same amount of time, but if someone wastes it frivolously, they are SOL until the next day unless they can borrow or beg some time from another person. Interesting concept, and what a way to look at time.
I’ve tried blocking everything out to write first thing in the morning. That works for a day or two. Then, my OCD kicks in about tending to all the other things. I tell myself I’ll get all the other stuff out of the way first, then I’ll be clear to focus on writing. The next thing I know, it’s time to rush out the door to work, and I’ve spent way too much time on everything but writing.
What to do?
We are all different in how we approach our days. Our discipline meter varies from person to person. And I know it takes dedicated discipline to make my day a set routine. However, I justify my lack of self-discipline on the fact that for almost fifty years, I punched a time clock. I’m semi-retired. I should be able to do what I want. I earned it.
While that may be true, it doesn’t help me make progress on my WIP. It’s not that I don’t love my story. I do. I get excited when I work on it and watch the characters and plot develop and unfold.
It’s a strange phenomenon. I’m left to wonder if it’s just me, or if others struggle in this area, too. All of the solutions require planning and discipline. I know that. Yet, I don’t know how to trick myself into believing it’s not either of those things and that it’s fun. I need some magic! The bottom line is that it is totally up to me. We are the creators of our days, our worlds. So, I have ZERO room to complain or whine. I’ll just say I’m thinking out loud.
In bookish news, talented author C.S. Boyack, has a new Lizzie and The Hat story up for pre-order. If you’ve read any of his work, you know you are in for a treat. Take a look!
One of the many things I love about this ongoing series is that each book stands alone. This new book hits the streets on October 2nd!
Blurb:
Lizzie and the hat haven’t been as careful as they think. When the FBI comes knocking, they know all about their nighttime pursuits.
Who even knew we had a Geospatial Intelligence Agency? This obscure part of the intelligence community has a problem that requires a special skillset. Lizzie and the hat are tasked with ridding the intelligence server farm of a gremlin infestation. They’re ill prepared for this one, because .357 magnum revolvers are designed to deal with larger and hairier problems.
The Feds aren’t giving Lizzie much chance to weasel out of the assignment, and they reluctantly accept the job. Lizzie faces some unique trials and has to make new friends to get through the assignment, and avoid a debilitating curse at the same time.
It’s been a hard road for Lizzie during this series, and she’s due for a couple of small upgrades. These are solo titles in a larger series, and you should be able to read any individual one without feeling lost. The series is dark humor at its base, but this one tends a little more toward the humor.
Finally, I have a new book trailer for my upcoming release, The Edge of Too Late, in the Harbor Pointe Series. I hope you enjoy it.
I wish each of you a good weekend. I’m seriously going to try and make some headway with my WIP, but I will be taking time out to attend a gathering of local authors on Saturday. It’s always inspiring to be with others who speak your same language. Hope to have some photos and maybe some new tips to share next week.
