Thursday, November 17, 2011

Progress

Henri Frederic Amiel said:
A thousand things advance; nine hundred and ninety-nine retreat; that is progress.
 I have some big projects in front of me. The kind that make you say things like "we'll cross that bridge when we get to it" when you start to get too far ahead of yourself. And,sometimes it's much easier to daydream about how life will be when you get all the projects done, than actually doing the work!
But, here I am! You need to take it one step at a time. Maybe do one little bit today and then a little bit tomorrow. Actually, my husband says I should spend two hours a day on one project and then two hours a day on the other big project. This seems like a good distribution of time and way to prioritize.
I am starting to make progress. Every little progress makes it easier to do the next part of the project, because, well, there is now less to be done (mathematically speaking). But, what do you do when motivation wanes. My favorite thing to do is have a cup of hot cocoa or play on the internet. However, that is not very helpful! I guess the best answer for the question is a timeline and scheduling your time (there goes the math again!). 
Say, "I have a goal and this is how much I need to get done every day to get my goal accomplished by the date I have set". Right now, my wishful thinking tells me that the work will be done well in advance of the set date. And, it may very well be. I have reinforcements on the way to push me to get more accomplished. That is helpful too-enlisting reinforcements or just good company to make tasks more enjoyable. 
Of course, I always must remember-in a few months I will hardly remember the hard work that had to be done (God willing).
 Now here, you see, it takes all the running you can do to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!
I'm a bit tired of being in the same place, so I better start running faster!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Not today, Honey.

Do you ever feel like you are living a mantra from a book by Dr Seuss. I feel that way today. I should be saying, "Today is my day", but instead, I feel like sleeping the day away. That could partially be due to the fact that I'm sick, but I still feel like I should get something accomplished.

Anyway, thought it would be a good time to discuss procrastination. Here is a great Spanish proverb:
Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the year.
I am headed for one very busy day pretty soon if that is true! I cannot even begin to write down my to do list because it is so overwhelming. So, I am at "baby steps". The problem with "baby steps" is that it just doesn't seem like enough for me. I guess that is why I end up doing nothing at all. Way to be productive! And I believe I know my problem. I don't know how much I can reasonably get done, so I don't get started.


Johann von Goethe said:
The man with insight enough to admit his limitations comes nearest to perfection.
Ouch! I am pretty far from perfection. Maybe I don't like how much I feel I will be able to accomplish. I would like to accomplish much more. But, when you don't feel well, you just don't have the energy. I have a hard time telling myself that it is okay to just be sick and rest and get better.
At any rate, Edgar Watson Howe said:
Half the unhappiness in the world is due to the failure of plans which were never reasonable, and often impossible.

So, I will try to be reasonable. I can accomplish a Latte, my kid's dance class tonight, maybe a quick sweep of the house, and my blog. Then I shall call it a day! And, I will be happy, because I have been reasonable, not impossible. Or something like that.