The weatherman says after tomorrow we will see a break in the storm thread. I hated having very little time on the computer, taking care of the absolute necessities on-line between storms. I want to get back to the regular blogging schedule, the promoting time and visiting blogs of my author friends.
Some of those author friends ask how I get so much done in a day. How do I do it all? Secret? I don't. Getting EVERYTHING I would LIKE done in a day is just impossible. I pick my battles and go from there. Some things take rank higher on my To Do list than others.
I have two real passions: music and writing. No, I don't write music. I leave that to the amazing singer/ songwriters I promote and write about. I appreciate their hard work and dedication to their craft. I am blessed to know artists from a variety of music genres. Friends like W.C. Jameson, Mike Blakely and Kelly McGuire out of Texas. Where Mike and W.C. are also talented authors as well as singer/ songwriters in the Americana music genre, Kelly has more a island flair. Think Jimmy Buffet. I network with people out of Nashville like The Bellamy Brothers and newcomer Caylen Green. Then I jump to the opposite end of the scope to the more classical talents of Maestro Steven Byess and soulful composer Sara Graef. I haven't worked with anyone in the rock and roll area yet, so I guess that tells you where my interests fall.
I spend my 'office hours' promoting music artists, writing blog posts, visiting other blogs and working on my shorter freelance or competition pieces. My personal fiction writing time comes two hours 'outside office time'. My husband is gone three weeks then home for three weeks. Part of the reason we chose for me to follow my dream is so I could set my own schedule... one that would meld with his. I am grateful he is so supportive and understands that although he's off, doesn't mean I can be. I just try to leave 'the office' a bit
earlier in the day when he's home.
The other thing I've started doing is taking the weekend off! :: gasp ::: I still need to work the artsy side of my brain. The part that leads my fingers through paint medium on an art journal or to dig in the garden. You know what they say about 'all work and no play'. I love my 'job' but I need play time too.
They key to 'doing it all' is identifying the areas that are most important then finding the best way to meld them into your life. If you want to be published, you have to treat it as your job - or your second job. This truly is the profession where you get out what you put in.
I would love to hear how you make time for your passions... whatever they may be!
Creative Blessings!
Angela
Great post. It's true, your result depends on the time you put in. My life has been turned upside down for awhile now. And the last 6 months have been a complicated period. But, like you I'm learning to focus, prioritize and compartmentalize. Thanks for letting me know that it can work. If I put the time in.
ReplyDeleteSometimes what we love has to take a back seat to the 'important' items in life. I've been there. But one thing I always know... my writing is here waiting. Hang in there!
DeleteSo true about focusing on what is most important. That bit of wisdom is hard to learn. Sounds like you've achieved it. You sure are busy.
ReplyDeleteIf I didn't stay busy, VJ, I really think I would go nuts.
DeleteSome days I'm happy to find time to feed myself and take a shower (and sometimes even that's asking for too much), but that may be about to change. School starts tomorrow, and this is the first year both my boys will be in school. For three hours per day, anyway. I'll actually have a predictable schedule, and child-free time. Crazy.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't believe that 'get up earlier' stuff. I don't know about you, but it doesn't work for me. Though if you give yourself 15 extra minutes in the morning for that shower, you might just jump-start your day ;-)
DeleteI tend to sit on my couch and listen to family conversations as I do my social networking. That way I can participate with them as I'm waiting for my computer to zip around from one blog to another. Every now and then I have to ask them to repeat something, but it works for me.
ReplyDeleteYou've hit the nail, Lisa. You have to find what works for YOU. Networking with other authors gives us the opportunity to search and try out new things, but in the end the path you choose has to work for you. Glad you're finding yours.
DeleteI agree that you have to work hard if you want it. The funny thing is that now that I have my DD (taking up most of my time) I actually work harder than before I had more free time. Taking regular breaks from always having to do things is something else I've had to face. I have to have time to recharge my creativity and my brains via a pleasure read or a puzzle. But it's writing that keeps me a happy mama.
ReplyDeleteThere ya go! I know whenever people from IL ask 'I thought you retired?" I have to laugh. I really am busier now than when I worked outside the home and raised a family. What has changed is I'm busy at what makes me happy... not just provides existence. Snuggle that little one for me!
DeleteYou are so blessed you can stay home. Jealous.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Wanda. I am blessed. But I've not always been in this position. And I thank the Lord and Lady every day for my supportive husband of 30 years. I couldn't do this without him.
DeleteLate in chiming in, but I must admit, the amount of work you do, Angela--actually, reading the replies, that ALL of you do--is so impressive. I have a very difficult time 'finding' time for social media, emails, critiquing, and then...writing. Unfortunately, lately, writing has suffered. But that's got to stop. Thanks for reminding me that we can prioritize and not be able to do it all every day.
ReplyDeleteSometimes having 'it' spelled out for us is all we need to get on the right track. ;-) Thanks for stopping in, Miss Barb. If you need me, I'm here.
DeleteGood post. I really struggle with social networking horning in on my writing time. It's so addictive. I've gotten out of balance by spending way too much time online lately and have almost stopped exercising which makes me unhappy. The house is getting to be a mess too. Glad I'm not alone in this. I like how you take the weekends off. That would make my hubby very happy. I'm going to try that.
ReplyDeleteCool about your work with musicians, Kelly!
Thanks for stopping by, Beth. I know you're crazy busy. People wonder how I miss things on FB. I miss things because I'm not on FB to socialize with the majority of people on there. I have my FB account to 'work'. Once the work is done, I sign out. You really have to TAKE control. And I know you can do it! Hugs!
Delete