Many of you had an extraordinary month. You pushed yourself to achieve big goals. Maybe you reached them, maybe you didn't, but you didn't sit on a plateau this month. Isn't that what we always aim for? Forward movement?
The thing about plateaus is that there is always another one to reach. It's okay to rest on one for a bit before pushing onward. It's unreasonable to expect your brain or body to give maximum effort every day of every month. However, we can keep our eyes upward with the next leg of our journey in sight.
What did you accomplish in November?
Join me on Wednesday to kick off the return of One-Minute Vacations! December is so rush-rush; I hope you'll stop by for a quick breath of relief!
Showing posts with label plateaus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label plateaus. Show all posts
Monday, November 29, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
When You'd Do Anything to Get Back on a Plateau
We've been discussing plateaus this month, and we've focused on continuing upward. But something happened on Monday that made me long for the comfort of my own plateau.
My laptop crashed. I'm talking completely shut-down. Luckily, I was able to restore it back to the manufacturer's settings, but in the process I lost every program, every blog I've bookmarked in my Favorites bar, and yes, every plotting note of my new book plus the first three chapters.
Normally, I'm obsessive about backing up my daily work to a memory stick, but I neglected the task for two weeks.
I would love to be back on the plateau I reached last Friday.
Sometimes things go wrong. Who knows why. Yes, I could pay a service to attempt to retrieve my files from the hard drive, but the costly and time-consuming job is not worth it to me. I can reproduce the work in less time.
It's natural to be upset when a strong gust of wind blows you from your plateau. I spent a full day restoring my laptop, and I was not in a good mood while I did it. But Tuesday dawned, and it no longer felt as important. In fact, the process of having a clean laptop has forced me to re-evaluate how I was approaching a few tasks.
I found Microsoft One Note and plan on trying it out for my plotting notes. The blogs linked in my Favorites bar? Well, it's high time I organize them in Google Reader. One of my goals is to spend more time reading blogs, and this will streamline it. And I finally signed up for an online data back-up service. I don't have to worry about losing important work again.
So when your progress gets thrown off a cliff, go ahead and fume for a little while, but then study the path back up. You might find a better foothold the next time.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
My laptop crashed. I'm talking completely shut-down. Luckily, I was able to restore it back to the manufacturer's settings, but in the process I lost every program, every blog I've bookmarked in my Favorites bar, and yes, every plotting note of my new book plus the first three chapters.
Normally, I'm obsessive about backing up my daily work to a memory stick, but I neglected the task for two weeks.
I would love to be back on the plateau I reached last Friday.
Sometimes things go wrong. Who knows why. Yes, I could pay a service to attempt to retrieve my files from the hard drive, but the costly and time-consuming job is not worth it to me. I can reproduce the work in less time.
It's natural to be upset when a strong gust of wind blows you from your plateau. I spent a full day restoring my laptop, and I was not in a good mood while I did it. But Tuesday dawned, and it no longer felt as important. In fact, the process of having a clean laptop has forced me to re-evaluate how I was approaching a few tasks.
I found Microsoft One Note and plan on trying it out for my plotting notes. The blogs linked in my Favorites bar? Well, it's high time I organize them in Google Reader. One of my goals is to spend more time reading blogs, and this will streamline it. And I finally signed up for an online data back-up service. I don't have to worry about losing important work again.
So when your progress gets thrown off a cliff, go ahead and fume for a little while, but then study the path back up. You might find a better foothold the next time.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Style Plateaus
Has your hairstyle been the same for a decade? Are you using the same makeup techniques from when you were in high school?If you're currently in high school, you can ignore that question. What about your clothes? Do you own any trendy items?
I've been on a style plateau for years. Part of it is budget, part of it is an aversion to shopping, and the other part is insecurity. I don't want to look like I'm trying to be fifteen years younger than I am. And short hair on me looks horrible, so I keep it long.
I do have a few shortcuts to make it seem I've gotten off the plateau, though.
Have a terrific weekend!
I've been on a style plateau for years. Part of it is budget, part of it is an aversion to shopping, and the other part is insecurity. I don't want to look like I'm trying to be fifteen years younger than I am. And short hair on me looks horrible, so I keep it long.
I do have a few shortcuts to make it seem I've gotten off the plateau, though.
- Check out the latest makeup colors and trends in fashion magazines. Purchase a lipstick or eye shadow in the current shades for an instantly fresh look.
- Emulate Jennifer Aniston or Jennifer Lopez or any of the other gorgeous celebrities in regards to their hair. They keep the same basic style for years, but they update the color, the highlights, and the way they style it.
- Stick with basic jeans, slacks, and foundation shirts and sweaters, but add a few inexpensive trendy shirts to keep your look up to date. Also, study the shoe, handbag, and jewelry trends to add a polished air to your outfits. If you can't afford much, head to Target for similar items or a discount store like TJMaxx.
- Shop in your closet. You probably wear the same things in the same combinations over and over. Take the sweater you always wear with the same jeans and swap the jeans for a pair of corduroys. Add a blazer and a necklace. You have a new look for free.
Have a terrific weekend!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Personal Plateaus: You
The year is dwindling. Ten months ago, you may have written a resolution or goal list. Even if you didn't, I'll bet you had aspirations this year. Sometimes I think these lists serve only to distract me from what I really want--to live an authentic life.
If I'm focused solely on writing, exercising, parenting, saving, cleaning, or one of the other areas I'm trying to whip into shape, I'm not focused on being me. That's not to say the items aren't important, but they can be used as a way to avoid contemplating what I really want.
Sitting in a quiet room and delving into your deepest wishes can be frightening. What if you learn you want something different from what you have? What if the dreams you've been chasing no longer excite you? What if you realize your life is heading 100mph to the wrong destination?
On the flip side, what if you're racing on a road to nowhere?
When, in a panic, we put all of our energy into improving only certain sections of our life, we miss the big picture. It's like putting mittens and socks on a naked body in the throes of hypothermia. The body needs a blanket or coat to protect its core.
To get off a personal plateau, we have to focus on what is important to us, and to do that, we have to get quiet, not just once a year, but as often as necessary.
Have you ever focused on improving one area of your life to avoid dealing with a personal issue?
The lovely Barbara Parentini is interviewing me on her uplifting blog, Gifts by Grace. If you have a chance, get acquainted with Barbara's blog and stop by to say "hi."
Join me on Wednesday when we'll discuss financial plateaus.
If I'm focused solely on writing, exercising, parenting, saving, cleaning, or one of the other areas I'm trying to whip into shape, I'm not focused on being me. That's not to say the items aren't important, but they can be used as a way to avoid contemplating what I really want.
Sitting in a quiet room and delving into your deepest wishes can be frightening. What if you learn you want something different from what you have? What if the dreams you've been chasing no longer excite you? What if you realize your life is heading 100mph to the wrong destination?
On the flip side, what if you're racing on a road to nowhere?
When, in a panic, we put all of our energy into improving only certain sections of our life, we miss the big picture. It's like putting mittens and socks on a naked body in the throes of hypothermia. The body needs a blanket or coat to protect its core.
To get off a personal plateau, we have to focus on what is important to us, and to do that, we have to get quiet, not just once a year, but as often as necessary.
Have you ever focused on improving one area of your life to avoid dealing with a personal issue?
The lovely Barbara Parentini is interviewing me on her uplifting blog, Gifts by Grace. If you have a chance, get acquainted with Barbara's blog and stop by to say "hi."
Join me on Wednesday when we'll discuss financial plateaus.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Writing Plateau? Tips to Keep Climbing
November is an exciting month for writers. Many are inspired to write 50,000 words as part of NaNoWriMo. Others fight to achieve their annual writing goals before the holidays kick in. And many unpublished romance writers are polishing their Golden Heart entries for Romance Writers of America's prestigious contest.
The first week of any writing project is usually pretty successful. After all, you're excited, but tremors of nervousness ripple through. Will you pull it off? Of course! You're determined.
Somewhere along the line, though, these big goals become enormous. We doubt our abilities, and even if we're on track, we wonder if we can keep it up. One small setback can snowball into an entire week of slacking. And one week of slacking can result in quitting.
Here are some suggestions to overcome a writing plateau and meet those goals.
Have a wonderful weekend!
The first week of any writing project is usually pretty successful. After all, you're excited, but tremors of nervousness ripple through. Will you pull it off? Of course! You're determined.
Somewhere along the line, though, these big goals become enormous. We doubt our abilities, and even if we're on track, we wonder if we can keep it up. One small setback can snowball into an entire week of slacking. And one week of slacking can result in quitting.
Here are some suggestions to overcome a writing plateau and meet those goals.
- Break up your daily goals into small chunks. For instance, if you've determined to write 2500 words per day, but you're staring at a blank screen and mumbling to yourself after writing 1000 words, don't force it all in one sitting. Give yourself mini-challenges. Twitter has a popular hashtag #1k1h meaning you'll write 1000 words in one hour. If you give yourself an extra fifteen minutes each session, you can write 1250 words.
- Plan out each week. Get your calendar, a piece of paper, and a pen and write down a realistic goal for each day. On days you have extra obligations--maybe you have a dentist appointment after work on Wednesday, or you're meeting your mother for lunch on Saturday--downgrade your goals. Schedule a heavier writing load on days without extra obligations. If necessary, reschedule non-essential appointments.
- Fit non-writing goals into your day. Don't let the house fall apart or ignore the laundry because you have lofty writing plans. If shopping for Christmas presents early is part of your annual routine, try to fit some shopping in. Skipping these tasks will only stress you out more, making you less likely to achieve your goal. Take twenty minutes to keep up with your dishes, or set aside fifteen minutes to order a gift online. These small tasks pad your ego and give a sense of accomplishment, putting you in a mentally happy place to write.
- Take a brisk walk. Studies have shown that exercise feeds our brains. If you're banging your head on the computer keyboard, throw on a coat and head outdoors. Even ten minutes can give you the breakthrough you needed.
- Limit your Internet time but don't eliminate it. Sometimes we need encouragement. A quick e-mail or a few minutes on Twitter can give us the boost to keep going. If you struggle to turn off the Internet, or find yourself "only checking one thing," but realize you just spent an hour online, set a timer. You'll be amazed what you can catch up with in fifteen minutes.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
November: Plateaus
You're chugging along, working hard toward an accomplishment, but then for some reason, your progress halts. You're still putting in the time, but where are the results?
Does this happen to you? I know it applies to many areas of my life: exercising, improving my writing skills, maintaining a clean home, staying on top of my kids' chores, reaching out to my loved ones, and so forth.
The problem with plateaus is that they often progress into downhill slopes. If we aren't careful, all the hard work we put in to reach that point will disappear.
This month we're exploring methods, tricks, and bribes to keep climbing instead of standing still.
All of you who are participating in 2010's NaNoWriMo, best wishes to you! I hope you all meet your goal!
Do you ever find yourself stuck on a plateau? Is this time of year ripe for halting your progress?
Join me on Friday when we'll discuss ways to overcome plateaus in your writing.
Does this happen to you? I know it applies to many areas of my life: exercising, improving my writing skills, maintaining a clean home, staying on top of my kids' chores, reaching out to my loved ones, and so forth.
The problem with plateaus is that they often progress into downhill slopes. If we aren't careful, all the hard work we put in to reach that point will disappear.
This month we're exploring methods, tricks, and bribes to keep climbing instead of standing still.
All of you who are participating in 2010's NaNoWriMo, best wishes to you! I hope you all meet your goal!
Do you ever find yourself stuck on a plateau? Is this time of year ripe for halting your progress?
Join me on Friday when we'll discuss ways to overcome plateaus in your writing.
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