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Sunday, August 30, 2009
Finally Finished
I finally finished. Even meeting my goal a day early. When I typed the final words, I looked around and there was no
one to tell, (with the exception of my 8-month-old Shih Tzu who can't hold his licker). He never leaves my side, he sits
next to me an licks the side of my laptop as I write.
Now the real fun begins, editing, editing, editing, writing
the synopsis, and then sending it out there to stand on it's own. Wish me luck! Nope, never mind, I don't luck. I
truly believe we make our own luck.
Ta, ta, 'til next time. ~ ~
Jaycee
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Thursday, August 27, 2009
Part Two--Replace Old Habits With New
On the piece of paper where you have described old habits to avoid, create a list called "New Writing Habits in
My Life." Include some of the things you're already doing, such as: writing, researching, networking, blogging,
and reading every day.
Look for ways to incorporate it into your daily routine, while keeping it fresh and fun.
Read while relaxing in a warm bath. Set aside time to stay in contact with new friends and associates you met at the last
conference through e-mail or maybe even IM. If you're a morning person get up early to write. If you're a night owl,
stay up late and get it done (this is definitely not me!)
A friend of mine received some invaluable advice the
other day. She spoke with a woman she'd met at the gym. My friend had been struggling to get herself out of bed and to
the gym every day, although she loves exercising. My friend asked this woman how she managed to get herself to the gym every
morning...the woman told her: Don't think about it, just do it.
Once you build new habits, you need to make
them so strong that you can't imagine life without them. One of the best ways to do this is through repetition--doing
the habit over and over until it feels permanent. Don't think about it, just do it.
My
husband has been traveling a lot on business lately. Since he will be gone until the end of the month I have given myself
a self-imposed deadline to finish my current WIP. Every morning when that alarm clock goes off and I would rather hit the
snooze or just shut it off and forget about it altogether I follow that woman's advice. I don't think about it. I
just do it. I get out of bed, get myself some coffee, turn on the computer, set my timer and start writing.
If
anyone knows the movie, The Patriot, you might remember after the main character's son is killed, he has a conversation
with his friend Col. Burwell. Burwell tells Benjamin Martin to "stay the course". Every morning when my alarm wakes
me and I want to forget about my deadline I hear Col. Burwell's voice in my head telling me to "stay the
course". Will I make my deadline? I don't know, but it won't be for lack of trying.
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Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Part One--Identify Your Old Habits
I'm sure we all set new goals at the beginning of the new year. But how many of us have kept them? Don't get
discouraged. The problem is not that you're weak or unable to reach your goals, but we all have a way of allowing old
habits to sneak back into our lives to wreak havoc with our new goals. At least I do.
The first step is to identify
your old habits. Take out a piece of paper and make a list of all the old habits you know are causing problems with your goals.
Once you complete the list, keep it around to remind yourself of these problem areas. Then create a few strategies to protect
yourself from allowing these bad habits from sneaking back into your life.
For example: Television is a vice
of mine. I know if I turn on the T.V. instead of the computer, the T.V. will win for the night. The same with a book, if
I pick up a book before I complete whatever task is before me; I will immerse myself in the book and not complete
the task.
So now you have a good system for recognizing and preventing old patterns from wreaking havoc. with
your new goals.
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