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This week: Don't Over Plan It Edited by: Sara♥Jean  
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Don't Over Plan It
Do you ever find yourself doing more planning than actual doing? I certainly do.
Recently, I've been making a clear attempt to keep my house cleaner than it had before. Given that I have 2 children, 4 dogs, a full-time job, a part-time job, and several health issues, I'd always found it hard to really keep things as tidy as I would like.
I tried doing one room a day, that didn't work. When you have rooms like a kitchen, it can't just be done once a week. Then, I tried splitting up the work in such a way that I thought it wouldn't be too much work every day, that didn't work. Even when I tried to make it a thing that would only take about an hour a day, I either did not find the energy to get busy for that hour, or it took much more than an hour. I found when I started cleaning, I would find 10 million other things that would drive me nuts and I would just have to clean them right at that moment.
So, I had a dilemma. Something that I knew had to be done, but no desire to actually do it at all, and yet I wanted it done. And I knew I didn't get paid for it, so wasn't like my job where if I spend extra time I get, well, I don't actually get anything extra there. However, it's my job and I get paid to do my job, so seemed like more of a valuable thing.
I finally found the solution to my problem. It took me a very long time, but I figured it out. I just do it.
I think I was spending too much time thinking about how it ought to be done and what the most efficient way to do it was, and I wasn't concentrating on simply getting the job done. So I would spend hours organizing, planning, and preparing, but no time actually cleaning. I had lists, and estimated time frames, and sticky notes, and articles to read... Everything I could imagine to distract me from actually getting the job done.
Now, don't get me wrong. I am a gigantic fan of lists, and especially of sticky notes. In fact, I think sticky notes are some of my favorite things in the world. Do you know, I even found an app for my iPad that has sticky notes. I'm able to make lists to my heart's content. Most of the time, I find this approach very good for me. I'm able to organize my thoughts, and then I'm able to simply move forward and check off things on the list as I go. For some reason, unlike everything else in my life, as far as housework went, it simply did not work.
I have written many newsletters on scheduling some time to write, to meet whatever goals you have. And some of the responses I received told me that you shouldn't have to schedule in writing, you should simply have to want to do it. For the most part, I find that to be true. But I also find that if you don't make time for something you enjoy, they will never be time for the things you enjoy. A lot of people, myself included, will spend all of their time doing the things they have to do, and completely ignore the things they want to do.
Now, I didn't necessarily want to do housework. However, I do like the results of the housework. It is nice to come home and not see 12 hours of work staring me in the face. Coming home to a house that is at least picked up gives me sense of peace as I walk in the door. So, while I did not want to necessarily do the task, I do appreciate the task once it's done.
The great thing about writing, is that I both enjoy the process and the end result. Most of my writing recently has been newsletters, but I do at least get one thing written every month as a result. Before the newsletters, I wasn't getting much in it all. Why? Because I wasn't doing it. There really is no other reason.
So, now that I've compared to things that make absolutely no sense in any other relationship, I hope you are able to see what I'm trying to get at. Some planning is okay, but make sure you don't over plan things. If you are spending more time planning than you are actually accomplishing the task, it is likely that you are over planning. Sometimes you have to follow the Nike motto, and Just Do It!
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Let's take a look at the work from some of our newest members!
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A little poem on the depths of my insanity, as told by my high school self.
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Feedback from "Noticing Newbies Newsletter (March 25, 2015)"
Elfin Dragon-finally published said, "Thank you for this newsletter on overcoming adversity. You stated very well what some of us have to face in our own daily lives (you seem to have the same issues as me). I've often thought of using the same software but still am able to type at the moment and hope to for a while yet. I like my music when I'm working  . But I know the day will come when I'll have to make a sacrifice in that area. There are other factors I have to overcome and you remind me to make time for myself and it's ok to say no."
It absolutely is, yes! In fact, in some cases, it is necessary.
dragonwoman said, "I have Dragon Speaking voice recognition software and I feel your pain! I struggle with the problem of changes in my voice due to illness or allergies. I sometimes laugh hysterically at what my computer has heard vs what I said. I have even managed to make new words that way!"
I am doing so much better with Dragon than I was with the speech recognition included with Windows. The windows version I would end up yelling at on a regular basis. Dragon, I just have to do a last read through once I'm done and I find five or six mistakes in three pages. It is so, so good. And I find I can just talk and talk, and it follows right along. Well worth it, and it is helping me tons.
Happy Spring said, "I've had to learn to strike while the iron is hot. With severe copd and on hospice. Between meds, breathing treatments,rest periods, writing time is limited. I get very few days to write. Writing keeps me grounded. Keeping notes is a must.This allows me to take advantage of the precious time so that I can finish a story."
That does not sound fun at all. I am glad you find time to write, though. I think that, alone, is quite valuable.
billikus said, "Reminds me of Star Trek IV, where Scotty speaks to the computer: "Computer? Hello Computer?" The guy tells him to just use the keyboard. "The keyboard? How quaint.""
Ironically, we have been watching a lot of Start Trek in my house recently. Scotty is one of my favorite characters.
Feedback from "Noticing Newbies Newsletter (February 25, 2015)"
Motivated_Man said, "Hi!
I appreciate this article regarding how we have to review works done by people. This is really helpful and it gives a path to follow when we intend to criticism every kind of people's work.
I'm a new member in this community of WDC and I hope to improve my writing just by following the advices you'll share through the Newsletter.
Thanks to sharing those kind of positive advices with us.
Motivated_Man"
Well, let me offer a belated welcome! I hope you continue to write and enjoy yourself here.
Steve adding writing to ntbk. said, "Enjoyable pieces this time around.
Good advice fore newbies when they review.
I use the NLs for reviewing material and I was not disappointed this time around.
Thank you for serving the WdC in the many ways you do.
Copenator out! BA, M Div"
My pleasure! We have some great new members, so it is not too hard to find some to feature.
janice39 said, "I so enjoyed your instructions on reviewing. I appreciate it.
Thought provoking.
Jan"
I am glad it was useful.
williampadgett said, "When "The Two R's: Review and Respect" popped up in my Inbox, it showed just this part of the title.
"The Two R's: Review and..."
My mind automatically jumped to the three R's used in thanking someone for a review.
"Read, Review, and Rating"
My eye and attention snared, I went straight for the article and was very pleased to read about the respect we need to give when we review. When reviewing a piece it is always good to know in your mind that another writer has given you the honor and privilege of giving her/him your analysis and thought on their work of art!
Thanks for a timely reminder!"
Exactly! They are putting themselves out there, and it is a dangerous place to be. Hearts on sleeves, and words typed for all to see and critique. We need to be mindful of their risk when we are giving our opinions. |
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Noticing Newbies: April 22, 2015 Issue [#6951]
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