It’s time to clear off the bulletin board that hangs over my desk: the list of column ideas I’ve already used, the deadlines already met, the summer events already enjoyed.
My schedule for clearing off the bulletin board is: whenever it gets full.
But there is one item that always stays pinned to the board. It is an index card on which I’ve written three questions:
1. What is important about today?
2. What must get done today?
3. What is important about the future?
I wish I could take credit for those questions, but I know I read them in an inspirational book somewhere. I wish I could say which book, but I neglected to make note of that on the index card.
In any case, I find those questions really helpful for focusing my work and juggling all my responsibilities. Knowing that what is important about today is, say, a child’s birthday helps me to relax and know it’s OK not to worry about the laundry. On the other hand, if what is important about the future is that we’re leaving on vacation in two days… and everyone’s complaining about lack of clean socks and undies, then I know what must get done today… is the laundry.
Those are pretty mundane examples of how the questions help, but I’m sure you can make the leap and see how they might help with organizing writing or other work projects or life goals, too.
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I have a picture of my goal taped to the kitchen cabinets above “command central”…A.K.A. the calendar. It inspires me to get done what needs to get done.
I strive to balance all the “stuff” and take time to just BE. To enjoy my kids and the beautiful August weather. To sit on the back patio and watch the birds while reading a book. To spray the kids with the hose and listen to the squeals of delight. I did that last one yesterday….instead of folding laundry….and it was fun.
Until the bee stung the 5 year old. Bummer.
by Debbie
on August 9th, 2006 at 6:31 am
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I used to have an employee who went around saying “Same old s–t, different day.” There is now a rule that you may not utter that phrase or any similiar phrase inside this building. If you can’t find something new, interesting, exciting, even frustrating or challenging each and every day…then shut up! Quit telling everyone that you’re a boring
person.
With your family and all your activities, musical and otherwise, I’m certain it’s never ‘different day, same old —-!’
by Don Bruns
on August 9th, 2006 at 9:08 am
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Don, where I used to work they didn’t even bother with the complete saying. They said it so much that it became SSDD.
Sharon, you have wonderful priorities. I know how hard it is to balance work, family and home.
by Jeff
on August 9th, 2006 at 7:09 pm
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Thanks for the helpful questions, Sharon. I find myself being afraid each day that I’m dropping the ball SOMEWHERE. These are a good way of monitoring that.
by Judy
on August 9th, 2006 at 9:42 pm
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My collection of Post-It notes with inspirational witticisms changes all the time, but for one which comes from the great philosopher (and Texas gubernatorial candidate) Kinky Friedman who said, “When the horse dies, get off.” Which, for me, reminds me that when the publishing biz gets rocky, I must remember to re-invent myself because nobody else is going to do it for me.
Love your blog, guys!
by Nancy
on August 10th, 2006 at 8:47 am
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Sharon, great list–a great way to keep on task, esp. when life can be so busy! I just bought a day planner to help me keep on track–amazingly helpful! Wish I’d gotten one years ago.
Nancy, great quote. I think reinvention is one of the most overlooked aspects of being a a fiction writer. But that’s a blog all on its own!
by Heather
on August 10th, 2006 at 6:19 pm
