Lest there be some confusion, I am a writer first, but it is not my first priority at my current station in life. I write because I love to write, but I have a day job, which is my highest priority. I am a writer who happens to also be a soldier. And my commitment to the U.S. Army trumps all else...for now. After I retire, which I hope to do in a couple of short years, I can move up writing, publishing and other pursuits on my list of things.
Making a good go of being a writer, published author, and finally, a publisher hinges on knowing who I am, what I want to do, and what I need to do. Right now, I am a soldier, who must be all that a soldier is, including leading, training, and taking care of other soldiers, as well as the mission at hand. Other things, like writing, publishing, and even selling Mary Kay (long story) on the side, are secondary.
I'm so ambitious, but sometimes, the things I must do don't allow a lot of extra time to do what I want to do. Leisure time is truly a commodity for most people.
Everyone's list is different, but mine goes like this:
1. Soldier
2. Writer
3. Publisher
4. Everything else
Reading that list may look a little strange. One may expect a so-called publisher to have publishing at the top of her "This is Me" list, but it's important that your "This is Me" list is honest, brutally so, if necessary. As time permits, then priorities may/will/should shift, but you have to know who you are first, before you can effectively be who you must.
This is something with which most of us have to make peace. Of course, if you are already independently wealthy and have the luxury of writing or pursuing other business pursuits or hobbies full time, then the priority lesson may be lost on you. But for the rest of us: You're not going to always have time to fit in everything. As much as a good creative rush may tell you otherwise, you cannot do everything all at once. As of now, I have to squeeze in my reading and writing time on the weekends and days off, as well as any other stuff that I've put on my plate. Even the best multi-taskers have their limits, and thank goodness, they (should) have day planners, calendars and to-do lists. If you don't have a day planner, calendar, or at the very least, a to-do list, get one or all of the above ASAP.
If you're going to write, know who you are, know on what you should focus and when, and then be the person you must be in order to get to the places that you want to go.
Make a "The is Me" list and keep it close. Lest there be any confusion.
PREVIOUS POST: How to Lose a Customer in 10 Seconds or Less
Making a good go of being a writer, published author, and finally, a publisher hinges on knowing who I am, what I want to do, and what I need to do. Right now, I am a soldier, who must be all that a soldier is, including leading, training, and taking care of other soldiers, as well as the mission at hand. Other things, like writing, publishing, and even selling Mary Kay (long story) on the side, are secondary.
I'm so ambitious, but sometimes, the things I must do don't allow a lot of extra time to do what I want to do. Leisure time is truly a commodity for most people.
Everyone's list is different, but mine goes like this:
1. Soldier
2. Writer
3. Publisher
4. Everything else
Reading that list may look a little strange. One may expect a so-called publisher to have publishing at the top of her "This is Me" list, but it's important that your "This is Me" list is honest, brutally so, if necessary. As time permits, then priorities may/will/should shift, but you have to know who you are first, before you can effectively be who you must.
This is something with which most of us have to make peace. Of course, if you are already independently wealthy and have the luxury of writing or pursuing other business pursuits or hobbies full time, then the priority lesson may be lost on you. But for the rest of us: You're not going to always have time to fit in everything. As much as a good creative rush may tell you otherwise, you cannot do everything all at once. As of now, I have to squeeze in my reading and writing time on the weekends and days off, as well as any other stuff that I've put on my plate. Even the best multi-taskers have their limits, and thank goodness, they (should) have day planners, calendars and to-do lists. If you don't have a day planner, calendar, or at the very least, a to-do list, get one or all of the above ASAP.
If you're going to write, know who you are, know on what you should focus and when, and then be the person you must be in order to get to the places that you want to go.
Make a "The is Me" list and keep it close. Lest there be any confusion.
PREVIOUS POST: How to Lose a Customer in 10 Seconds or Less
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