I have written some great intentions for this year. I create them almost every year, and when I do, I manage to accomplish about 50-60% of what I want.
Which isn't too bad.
But it's not enough.
Because if I wanted only 50-60%, then that's what I would have written in the first place. Now, don't get me wrong - I know that if I didn't write them at all the end of the year would arrive, and I'd be no closer to anything specific (I've done that. It's not fun). However, I'm tired of getting to December and looking at my list thinking "Not bad, but, wow, it would have been REALLY amazing if I'd gotten all of this."
This year - I want it all.
I'm a bright woman and yet - I make some dumb decisions. A lot. I can look at past years and see that where I went "wrong" is no great mystery. I know what works, what doesn't, and where I can carve out more of what I want. And I find myself wondering a lot -- if I know what works what works for me - why don't I choose that more consistently? I dont have an answer for this yet. That will be part of the journey for this year, and this blog.
I do know one thing for certain that I want to change as quickly as possible - I dont use my time as well as I could. If I look at my week I could take back at least 5-10 hours a week if I:
* cut down on my time playing computer games. Bejewelled on Facebook is my worst time-sucking addiction. It's amazing how much time passes playing a game that only lasts a minute. (That's, of course, where the title of this blog comes from. I'm pretty certain that Nora Roberts does not waste her time on games the way I do.)
* go to sleep earlier at night and nap less. Taking 2-3 hours out of the middle of my day usually makes me end up feeling rushed and behind the rest of the time
* watch less television. I don't really need to watch movies I've seen so many times I can recite along with the actors.
And what would I like to do with that time?
- work on my writing both fiction and non-fiction.
- grow my writing coaching business,
- have more fun with my sons,
- scrapbook - I am frighteningly behind,
- and maintain a higher level of organization in my home
Doesn't that sound great? Yeah, it does to me, too. Now I just (just... HA!) need to take the responsibility to make the choices that support instead of sabotage me. I'm guessing it's not going to be easy, or I would have done it by now, but I'm certain it's going to be worth it.
Rona, you are a better woman than I. My plan was to schedule an annual get together with friends for the 19th of January - because by then all of the resolutions have been broken!
ReplyDeleteMegan
Good luck with your good intentions! I should follow your lead! It's the little things that add up to be such a time drag!
ReplyDeleteAmen.
ReplyDeleteWhen we think of the seven deadly enemies of man, the most insidious is Sloth. When we fail to act because we're either too lazy or too reluctant.
I believe the best and worst thing to happen to this world was the invention of television. My parents used it as a babysitter. It's more addictive than any drug out there. And not only is it legal, but we are constantly encouraged to partake in this addiction.
Once a year, I try to go an entire month without watching anything. I do a media fast. It's limited to television as my profession won't allow me to stay away from the internet. This media fast includes abstaining from television, movies, and DVD's. I allow myself the luxury of mind improving books and try to encourage myself to do more outdoor work and activities.
The longest I've gone is twenty-three days before I found myself like some delirious crackhead jonesing for a fix. The trigger comes when someone has driven me too far and I need to cool off with some mindlessness.
By no means am I suggesting that we do what we're supposed to do all of the time. That just won't work. We all have our little demons that we have to release else they will drive us crazy. Most books on self discipline will insist that you schedule some much needed time with your dark procrastinating side as a reward for an hour or two hours of self discipline.
As a matter of fact, our minds require a time out every 90 minutes so we can return to our tasks with a renewed amount of focus. Without that timeout (or chemical stimulant) our minds will wander and we get nothing done.
Remember what Willy Wonka said, "A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men."