At times, I get exhausted chasing all of my writing ideas and plans. And I’m tempted to panic when I look at my “to do” list.
So, after examining the lessons I learned rearranging furniture last week, I realized I needed to rearrange a few things in my writing life, too.
And this process included examining my priorities, resolving some internal and external conflicts, developing a strategy, and recruiting some help.
Examine my priorities. Right now, I’m overwhelmed with many of the projects I face in my office. So, I decided to examine my priorities again in all of my writing, blogging, and speaking commitments.
I also know that I need to be open to change. Last week’s priority may not even be in the top ten on my “to do” list today. But often it takes a conflict or a frustrating event to get my attention.
Resolve internal and external conflicts. I often take on more commitments than I can handle. Do you? And this causes me frustration and embarrassment as I’m forced to make choices that often affect others.
For instance, a few weeks ago, I traveled out of town to speak at two separate events, leaving only one day to prepare for my next event. Although I had prepared most of my materials, I felt stressed, as I sorted through the last minute details.
Again with only one day to prepare, I drove a couple of hours to spend a few days at my daughter’s home—she needed a little moral support, preparing to send her four small children back to school and tackling some household projects.
When I returned home, not only did I need some rest, I needed to rearrange a few things in my own house, including my writing life.
Develop a strategy. I asked myself, What do I need to do to meet my writing needs right now?
I knew I needed to develop my own strategy. Writing down all of my commitments helped me to examine them, so I could get a more objective view of my writing life.
So, as I examined my calendar and my “to do” list, I also asked myself some hard questions. Why did I commit to this endeavor? Am I passionate about this?
Often, I can’t see my own life with an open mind until I examine it on paper. And sometimes, that process doesn’t even work. So, that’s when I call in the troops.
Recruit a friend for help. I’m grateful for a few family members and writing friends who will be honest with me when I ask for their input about how to tell the stories that matter most to me.
At times, the look on their faces says it all, “What were you thinking?” At other times, they encourage me, “Don’t give up! You can do this thing!”
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Eccl. 4:12 NIV).
If you’re overwhelmed in your life—whether you’re a writer or not—I encourage you to examine your priorities, resolve some internal and external conflicts, develop a strategy, and maybe even call in the troops for some help.
What strategies have helped you as you examine your life and work priorities?
