Here's a confession: As a freelancer, I've been keeping dozens of files for articles I 'might' write someday. When I cleaned out my filing cabinet two weeks ago, I discovered many of those files were outdated. Many more were about subjects I hadn't been interested in for years. That experience drove a lesson home:
A stuffed filing cabinet doesn't make you a better researcher. A messy desk doesn't make you more creative. And staying at your desk when you really need to get some exercise, doesn't make you more dedicated or professional.
More than that: Shedding old habits, old attitudes, and old stuff frees us to tackle to new opportunities. It allows us to open ourselves up to possibilities God has for us -- to look toward the future with excitement. I believe shedding things that weigh us down will improve the quality of our work.
That overstuffed filing cabinet was a reflection of many areas of my life.
Since August, I've lost 20 lbs, thrown out 22 bags of junk from my filing cabinet and closets, and sent three bags of good, but 'not useful to me' stuff to Catholic Charities.
I've also developed a plan for my career: one that acknowledges that I can't do everything, that I have to make choices, and that I have to ask God what opportunities He wants me to pursue.
Not surprisingly, I'm feeling postive and energized about life right now. But more than that, I feel much more focused about what writing assignments to tackle.
I'm focusing on a few things rather than trying to do everything.
Rather than 'sort of' working all the time, I work hard for a set number of hours. I also have priorities that are not related to work at all. For example, I'm trying to 'really listen' to my husband and kids when they speak. I'm slotting in time to exercise or take a walk in the afternoon. Other priorities for me: Time to pray. Time to paint at least two watercolours per month.
I have a hunch that balancing work with the rest of my life will make me a better writer.
Now, I look forward to going to my desk each morning becaus I'm excited about the projects I'm working on.
I'm think I'm working smarter. I'm think, maybe, I'm on my way.
Looking for a place to feel inspired and challenged? Like to share a smile or a laugh? Interested in becoming more familiar with Canadian writers who have a Christian worldview? We are writers who live in different parts of Canada, see life from a variety of perspectives, and write in a number of genres. We share the goal of wanting to entertain and inspire you to be all you can be with God's help.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Popular Posts
-
Write Canada is more than a professional networking conference. It’s a safe place where beginning and intermediate writers can learn ...
-
Inspiration hardly strikes on an empty stomach. For this, and other reasons, writers must eat. And if you like minced beef (and you...
-
Prediction, retrodiction, and malediction ... It's not even six a.m. here in EST, and already 230 people have visited the Post-Darwinist...
-
Adrenaline is not often associated with writing. Adrenaline kicks in simultaneously with fear, or starts pumping while engaged in a sport. I...
-
By Rev Ed Hird Worry, fear, and anger are the greatest disease-causers. They can literally eat us alive, from the inside out. The root of mo...
-
By Rev. Dr. Ed & Janice Hird By Rev. Dr Ed and Janice Hird What if most of the people in your family died from incurable illnes...
-
My present journey through the Bible has landed me in the book of Jonah, a good place to land in January. When Jonah opened his in-box he f...
-
On Thanksgiving Sunday, our daughter and son-in-law blessed us with our first grandchild. My heart sings as I gaze in ...
-
I regularly pray, asking God for wisdom and direction for all the little and big decisions of my year, weeks, days and moments. I trust that...
-
Last week, I read this quote, “ Don’t regret growing older, it’s a privilege denied many.” I though about the truthfulness of this quote....
1 comment:
Thanks for these cogent thoughts, Jane. I can so relate to "sort of" working all the time. Like you I've been trying to be more intentional with my time by having designated hours for focused work. (Which also means designating the rest of my time for attending to family and friends and the many other important things a day can bring.) Thanks for the inspiring reminder.
Post a Comment