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My cluttered mind - How do you all manage it ?
The "Useful Websites" thread has been most ... useful. I've found lots of sites and contacts for various stuff that I wouldn't otherwise have seen.
I've joined another writer's forum - but have to resist so much chatting on there as I do on TB. I follow a number of blogs of TB'ers and try to comment as much as I can.
I fancy entering some competitions but my mind is so full of reading the rules and regs of them, registering and getting their weekly newsletter, reading their weekly news letter and so on and so on ...
"Achievable goals" and all that, I understand.Just can't sort the goals that are important to me, it seems. I've been doing the "tidy house tidy mind" thing the past few days, but all the while I am doing it I want to be writing. I read on here how TB'ers are doing so much and I just wonder how you do it ! I used to multi task to the point of exhaustion, but now don't have the energy to do that :)
Guess there's just no pleasing me.
Comments
So decide on one competition a month for example, if you have time to enter another one great but if you don't it isn't the end of the world.
Not all comps require you to register and those that do you can read the weekly e-mail as and when you have time or want to.
Or decide on one short story for a specific market and do that.
:)
I start jobs and forget I've started them, and forget I haven't done them. I have piles of paper which I can see and I know they are there, but I never go through them because I actually don't SEE them.
Even things which HAVE to be done today and which I REALLY want to do today - I forget. Even things like washing, it's there, I put itin the machine, and forget to take it out. I forget to wash the clothes I've deliberately put on the floor in front of the machine to do... they are there. right in front of me, but I just take no notice of them! And here I am knowing and remembering that I have to do them, but I can guarantee when I get into the kitchen I'll start putting the stuff in the dishwasher instead of doing the washing and then forget, or go upstairs and get washed instead. (Bit behind this morning due to having been unconscious)
Have to admit that I intend to do things and forget so I think that is probably my age...:)
That's your problem right there. Success brings clothes on the floor, dishes in the sink and a pile of washing yet to be done.
Use a GTD system. GTD= Getting Things Done. There are programs out there, email software and apps to help. Or you could do what I do and use paper and pens and make it simple, that's the point after all.
Buy a Moleskine notebook or a cheap version of one and follow this GTD system,
http://pigpog.com/2007/01/20/pigpogpda-a-moleskine-hacked-into-a-complete-system/#Introduction
Something else I use for writing and life is the The Pomodoro Technique. All you need is a cheap kitchen timer. I do have an iPod app of this but have used a 59p oven timer too.
http://www.pomodorotechnique.com/
There are life hacking programs out there that could help. Take a look at Dave Pollards 'How to Save the World' Site. All about organising and prioritising your time and tasks.
http://blogs.salon.com/0002007/2006/08/28.html
I've stopped worrying about stuff I can't do and that has helped an awful lot.
Try taking one thing at a time and concentrate on that until it's finished, then deal with it as appropriate, i.e. send it out. Then forget about it and move on to the next thing.
Agreed. I'm sure you'd still have got through life okay, not reading all that extra information that you've just ploughed through. And on line writing sites are fine, if that's what you use them for.
Would it help if I suggest you try to remember lexia, you're making a choice when you spend time doing something. At the end of each day, can you honestly say you've used your time wisely and that you are happy with how you have spent that time? Or do you sigh and feel regret that another day has passed with nothing to show for it?
I switch my computer off completely more and more these days and am happier doing other things, so it suits me.
Once a week I treat myself to a long soak in the bath and watch a DVD (after the bath, obviously). Before I run the bath I check my emails and then the computer's off for the night.
I sleep much better that night - which indicates how good a relaxing evening can be. However time limits mean I'm often checking info most nights. Sometimes I even write!
Obviously, school work takes priority (Most of the time) but it doesn't work out well for my writing.
All the suggestions that have been made are all the things that I know I should (or should NOT) be doing and all of them are things that have been said to me and I have tried before. It's only me that can make me "uncluttered" - it's just difficult and I wear myslef out all the time by being this way.
Today is another day, I feel a bit better than I did yesterday and I have physiotherapy to "look forward to " (contradiction in terms!) tomorrow. That's enough to make me focus on one thing
even if it is pain ;)
Wishing everyone a stress free, happy and contented day x