For the next few weeks it looks like I’ll have two back-to-back, recurring appointments in the early afternoon. I can’t say I’m happy about that. Going out into the world and doing things doesn’t always agree with me, but I’m usually able to handle it when the things come one at a time.
Two appointments in rapid succession? Not so much.
As luck would have it, the first appointment isn’t until 12:30 so I have plenty of time to work in the morning before having to venture out into the Big Room. And mornings are my most productive times anyway.
I’ve run into several writers this week with a similar creative schedule. They wake up, pour some coffee into the appropriate orifice, then sit down to work. I wonder what the overall percentage of people with that sort of pattern is.
Are you at your most functional first thing in the morning, or does evening bring out the best you have to offer?
Anyway, goals.
Work
I will spend three hours each day working on freelance writing. Done.
I will spend one hour each day working on this site. Yup.
Play
I will spend one hour a day doing whatever the hell I feel like doing. Of course.
I will spend two hours a day reading books. In spades!
Health
I will spend one hour a day doing something to improve my physical health. Goddammit!
My average on the health front has gone up from last week to around twenty minutes a day, mostly spent walking although I have added five minutes of stretching into my daily routine. I’d say I’m at a reasonable level of exercise, but there’s more to my health goal than that–hence the hour I’m trying to devote to it.
Oh well, progress.
How about you?
I’m one of those people with that pattern, almost. I typically insert tea or lemonade instead of coffee. I’m a late morning/early afternoon kind of writer. I find that I need the cobwebs gone but still have plenty of energy to knock things out and be creative. 20 minutes a day is still good. You can work your way up to an hour. Give it time.
My own morning cobwebs give me this weird sort of tunnel vision. I can do one thing, and do it well, but any attempts at multi-tasking are DOA.
Jeff recently posted..My Wednesdays Are Getting Busy
I think the last time I wrote at night regularly was before my daughter wasn’t even potty trained (she’s in 2nd grade now and if she knew I typed this, she’d be all “Mom, stop embarrassing me,” which would make me go “Sure.” But naturally that would be a lie, because one of my privileges/jobs/rights as a mom is to publicly humiliate her). However, when I write during the day varies on the schedule for that day/week/current project. But I usually stop writing by 2pm. Only when I have to get something out of my head or I’m sooooooo close do I work in the evenings.
Gloria Weber recently posted..ROW80 10/10 Check-In
I really envy people who have found a way to shift their writing time around. My daughter is usually very good about letting me work in the mornings, but on those rare times she wants my undivided attention I’m doomed. I wonder if writing whenever and wherever you can is a learned skill. If it is, I need a manual.
Jeff recently posted..My Wednesdays Are Getting Busy
Hey Jeff,
Still holding onto the hour goal for fitness, I see. Good for you.
I just write when I can steal the time. I try to be in my seat at my desk by 9AM at the latest, but life frequently interferes. Haha – I’ll have to remember your term, “the Big Room.” Sometimes, life shrinks to my desktop. Make those times in the Big Room count as research and observation time. Then, you won’t feel as guilty about leaving the Little Room.
Keep up the great work!
Kathrese McKee recently posted..Three Strikes
I’m holding onto my health goal, but it has since changed to something more specific.
Jeff recently posted..Happiness, Distractions, and It’s Too Early To Think of a Third Thing