Comments on: Still More on Time Management

By: bonne friesen

bonne friesen — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 07:55:51 +0000

Wow, I’m up late enough to be the first poster!
Whatever shall I say?

First, thanks for responding to my comment. I want to get into Simpleology some more before commenting back so I know we’re on the same page.

Second, thanks for the reminder about what constitutes taking action. In some ways it’s encouraging because when you’re in the learning process it can feel like nothing “real” is happening. It’s good to remember that progress is being made.

I consider creative composting as progress also, because for many things time is required to gather sufficient creative energy to solve the problem or complete the task. I try to do productive physical things while letting my brain wrap around a problem and shake it down, but it can be valid to just take some down time for it too. Just not every week!

By: Camille

Camille — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 08:35:27 +0000

Thanks for the violent agreement.

So, to cut right through it: My initial goal was to write a novel. In my multitasking mania I checked out about 57 books from the library on writing, joined a writing cult (thanks) and discovered an endless source of info/distraction in the world of writer’s blogs.

I don’t want to be fuzzy. I just want to finish the stinkin draft. I’m reasonably excited about this. So I sent back the books and I’m, um, working on cutting down on the blogs. (What crack-head invented Blogger, anyway?)

Getting it pubbed is a long term goal. Getting the 1st draft done is a medium term goal(?) So what would be a short term goal? Should I set up a daily word count goal? (duh) How can I enforce this?

(Turning off the mental editor I acquired with those 57 books might help a little.)

By: Daan Van der Merwe

Daan Van der Merwe — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:34:51 +0000

I experienced the same emotions as Paul D when I had entered the Simpleology site. BUT the Snowflake Guy recommended it right? So, I thought why not? I’m only at Day 3 but I have been enjoying the course from the start.

My only current goal is to master the Craft (of writing fiction, that is.) My Content is already Pulitzer Prize winning stuff. (How’s that for humble?)

My daily tasks, cores and errands are such that I can only work on my goal for about 2 hours most evenings and a great deal during weekends. Fortunately the rugby world cup tournament is over so that leaves me with much more time during weekends.

Oh yes! Because the winter in the southern hemisphere has been over for some time, the lawn around the house needs to be fertilized but… I’m working on it.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:54:24 +0000

Thank you for answering my comment and clarifying primary goals. I admit I looked at simple.ology and said - don’t have time for this. I already have a time management system that works well for me, and from what I see its not a whole lot different. That said, the reminder to stay focused is definitely needed and heard. So my primary goal is getting my WIP into the hands of a literary agent. I’ll let all these other duties circle around that camp.

By: Judith Robl

Judith Robl — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 13:30:35 +0000

Thanks, Lynn. I looked a simpleology, also. But I saw my learning curve on it was going to eat too much of my time — which is spread too thin as it is.

However, Randy, the reminders about targets is right on. And I did so need that brought back to my attention.

It’s awfully hard to teach this old dog a new trick.

By: Brandy Brow

Brandy Brow — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:05:30 +0000

One focus, one goal. I do this, but my problem is that I have four major life categories, each requiring a primary goal. For example, my primary goal for writing is my middle grade novel, my for family it’s to finish the chore board, for Christian Writers’ Group International (CWGI) it’s to complete Board minutes and then straighten website issues, and for the newspaper I edit, it’s to address a difficult issue.

When I’m working in a segment, I’m focused, but I’m struggling to segment my daily/weekly schedule to hit each of these major categories when constant interruptions, unsupportive family members, and daily life flux prevent a schedule.

Simpleology doesn’t provide for this tracking need. Ideas?

By: Debra Ratcliffe

Debra Ratcliffe — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:11:19 +0000

I haven’t been tuning in to this blog, or any blog for a while. But the title time management caught my attention on one of my infrequent visits to my email. I have recently begun cutting down on activities that don’t do anything for Me and streamlining my home so that it is easy to clean and find things. That would probably have been my primary goal at the time and its almost finished. I will then finish my book and have it published. That will be my next primary goal. However, since I sing and play guitar as well as have an interest in art, I have enrolled in two short courses for song writing and painting with watercolour. The painting will be just for fun but if I get good, perhaps I may illustrate a book someday. Song-writing is something I would do in between to have a break occasionally from the book but again, the book is my primary goal. So how do others with multiple interests manage their time. I have my tasks and events written in a diary. It gives me an idea of how much time is spent doing what. I also work part-time as a carer/cleaner. The hours are flexible and fit in with what I want to do. I suppose I have been trying to make everything fit like a jigsaw. I also tried simpleology but became impatient because there were other things I wanted to do while doing that. The principles are good though and I have used the dump all unnecessary things idea. If I had extra time, I would continue with simpleology but then simpleology is meant to create time. I think I just like doing things my way.

By: ML Eqatin

ML Eqatin — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:43:47 +0000

Randy, I presume that when you refer to “Thinking about it,” you mean just the cliche, not the action. For me, it happens first in where my thoughts go. Whatever I’m thinking about, I soon want to start doing. If I can keep my thoughts on my main goal, then it keeps happening.
I will check out simpleology, but the truth is, I have tricks that work for my own weird brain, and I know what pulls me off-track and what gets me back on again. I have a very wise friend who used to say: “Has anything worked for you in this area in the past?” and then when I told her what had worked, she would say, “Do more of that.”
She was a skilled teacher talking about tutoring my most difficult learner, but I have found that the principle applies to everything.

By: PatriciaW

PatriciaW — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:06:06 +0000

I challenge whether “thinking about it” is not action. For example, if I’m engaged with my wip, thinking about my characters and my plot prior to writing, I’ll produce a better product when I sit down as opposed to tapping something out with little or no forethought. That type of meditative time is very useful, although I might not write a word or while I’m doing it. It will likely lead to another action, writing or plotting or something along those lines.

I assume you mean “thinking about it”, as in the vague, wishy-washy sense, a procrastinator’s favorite tool in which there really is no clear, focused, structured thought toward a specific end. “Have you decided what you’re going to do yet?” “Uhmm, I’m thinking about it…”

By: Pamela Cosel

Pamela Cosel — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:35:41 +0000

Randy wrote:
There are really only two actions you can take:
1) Doing a task.
2) Learning how to do the task.

Your summation is so true and so right. For us multi-taskers who write and therein have frequent, new story ideas floating around in our heads, “thinking about it” doesn’t accomplish goals. Thanks for your wise instruction on this topic. Completing a project or task goes a long way to help a person feel good about him or herself.

By: D. E. Hale

D. E. Hale — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:26:34 +0000

Well, it’s only day 1 of Simpleology for me, and even though it’s going to take a while to get through all that “stuff” I think it’s going to be good in the long run. The next 40 days should be interesting!

Speaking of “working on it” I’ve figured out already that my Primary Goal is to get my trilogy edited. I’ve been “working” on that for over year, and do you know how much I’ve actually edited? About 10 pages. Yeah, I definitely have a focusing problem.

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:54:16 +0000

Okay. I confess I’ve been “working on” my new novel. The problem is, for this book I’m going to have to do some extensive research (something I don’t have a lot of experience doing) and research feels like such an abstract thing to me. I did list a few things I need to know more about, but how would researching a novel break down into tasks to qualify as a primary goal?

By: Routines for Writers » Post Topic » Focus on the One Thing

Routines for Writers » Post Topic » Focus on the One Thing — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 08:33:02 +0000

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