I feel overwhelmed by all the contests, conferences, blogs to read, twitters to tweet and comments to make. Not to mention keeping up with facebook, emails, my critique group, and last but not least, finding the time to write.
So, this post is dedicated to knowing when to say, "when." How do you know when that time is right for you? I just read the newsletter for Authors Incognito, of which I 'try' to be a part. It's one of those things I get behind with. They have some really fun activities planned, but they are way down in Provo and I'm way up here in Honeyville. Argg. It seems I never get the time to check my email address that goes with AI either.
I've been trying to decide which conferences to go to or if I should go at all. Also, I'm finishing up my course with Longridge Writer's Group. Aren't I supposed to fit being a mother and a wife in there somwhere? Good grief, I have too much to do. So here is what I do . . .
My family comes first. Then exercise.(I have to do that since I sit so long at the dang computer. I refuse to become a sedentary, tired old lady.) Writing is a very close third. It has to be somewhere at the top since it's the reason I am where I am and the reason I know who I know. I will NOT put it on the back burner. Then comes my critique group and my emails. I flit over to facebook throughout the day just to take a break, but I don't spend a lot of time there. I never tweet. I just don't have time for that. Then comes reading other blogs IF if have the time and inclination. I always comment if I read a blog though. I think it's rude not to. Someone took the time to write, you should at least say, "Great post."
Housework, sadly, is last on my list. Thank heavens I have a great bunch of kids who help out.
The moral of this tale is this. Know when so say, "enough!" It's different for everyone, but know yourself. Know when you need to say no, or when to take a break. It will keep you sane and healthy. Put your priorities first. Some people don't and they wonder why they are unhappy and get nothing done or have no time for themselves.
Keep your life balanced and everything else will fall into place. Good luck and God speed! =)
12 comments:
Setting priorities and staying balanced is so hard to do. You're right, we have to set limits and sometimes say no. Letting housework go is something I do as well. Also social activities. If I cleaned everything that was dirty in my house and went to every event that's scheduled, I'd get nothing else done.
I'm impressed you don't want to be "a sedentary, tired old lady." someday i'll make that a priority. lol!
I have a really hard time with this too. I have a book that's coming out in spring/summer 2011 so I'm editing. Also, I love reading everyone's blogs, but holy cow, it's time consuming (still sooo fun). I've met such neat people (you included). Housework - HA! And my kids - how I adore them. Balance is such a day to day, well more second by second challenge. Thanks for the reminder.
ps: I've been curious how things turned out with your son's English class and "the book".
Hi
Oh housework is definitely on a different list on it's own under *ignore until absolutely necessary*!
:-)
But seriously - this is great and wise advice! Only you know what are priorities in your every day life and only you know what makes you happy and getting that balance is definitely knowing when to say enough.
Take care and good luck with your writing!!
x
guess I should say "GREAT POST" since I was here. For your future reference - you are on my google reader and I always read your posts - I just don't comment often - so HATE me - or not! commenting is just not MY top priority! (but know that I love you and that EVERY post is a GREAT post!)
Ah, Jeri! I love you! I love it when you comment too! LOL
The "disease to please" as my friend puts it is hard. Networking is great, it's fun, but alas, nothing gets done. It takes a tough cookie to work it all out, but then again, that's why you have published books coming out. Good for you! You must be doing it right.
Great psot. I try to comment, but I just can't keep up with all the blogs I read. Usually I skim and only comment on the things that really catch my eye. I love reading your posts though. I'll try to comment more, too :)
This is something I'm still trying to do. I think I'm better with my blogging but I'm still working on it. Family and writing come first. Along with my critiques and CP's. Blogging should come next.
I am much better than I was when I first started my blog.
Great post!
I set an amount of time each evening for it :) working so far
I've always wanted to go to different conferences and conventions and such, but just can't do it these days... someday I hope to though :)
Wow, thanks for this post :). I'm not even doing a quarter of all that, but I'm already finding it hard to find time to write.
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