Author: Betsy Horvath

Three Big Things

As you may have guessed from my last blog post, I’m once again re-evaluating how I spend my time. It’s a fine-tuning process that I’m sure I’ll be going through for the rest of my life. Time is our most limited and precious commodity, so I’m trying to spend mine wisely. Or at least not stupidly.

I’ve often said that I feel like I have the time and energy in my life to focus on three big things. I do more than three things during the day, of course, but I can focus on no more than three major tasks to be successful in any one of them. Everything else has to fit around the edges.

Because my financial situation demands it, one of those big things is my day job.

Because I am a daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, and I actually need to have clean underwear once in a while, the second of those things consists of family and life responsibilities. Whether it’s taking my elderly mother to the podiatrist, or the cat to the vet, mowing the lawn or roasting a chicken, some things just need to get done.

Those two things are non-negotiable, and will probably always be in place. If I ever have the ability not to work for someone else, then I will be working for myself, taking care of my own business. And I hope that I will always have family and life responsibilities.

But the third thing…that’s where I can get confused.

The third big thing is where I tend to flounder. It doesn’t have the set boundaries or expectations of the other two. I need to make a living. I need to live. Boom. Done. But the third thing…well, the third thing is up to me, and that can be a problem.

I know, and I’ve known for a long time, that the third big thing in my life has to be writing. I may not always act like I know it, but it’s there. And it’s driven me to write and publish (or try to publish) for a really, really long time now. But sometimes the knowledge gets buried under all of the other things I want to/need to do. I feel the pressure of all the tasks I want to accomplish, and forget that I only have the capacity to focus on three big things. That’s when I stall and stand shivering in a corner, not sure which way to go.

The point of my Tiny Task Initiative (TTI) was to get moving again. And the good news is, I did. But I moved in too many directions at once. Instead of having a third big thing, I had about six smaller ones, all vying for time and attention. I was taking tiny steps forward, but because my focus was scattered, I didn’t make as much progress as I could have in any one of them.

So, then. Has the Tiny Task Initiative been a failure?

No. Absolutely not.

Identifying areas where I needed to make progress, and then actually working on them, has been very useful. It showed me that taking small steps every day can make an impact.

That’s awesome. The problem came from assigning all five tiny tasks the same priority. The writing, which is my third big thing, had the same priority as walking or vacuuming or creating a print book. Those things are also important, but they are not my third big thing. And, since it is the nature of the beast that I will take the easiest way out, I would often spend more time on one of the other tasks and set the writing aside, instead of doing it first and fitting the other things around it. I needed to remember that I have three big things, and to find the right balance, at this point in my life, with the other responsibilities I have.

Using the experience of the last few months, I’ve revised my tiny tasks. This is to better reflect the way I want assign priorities, and to give writing the importance it needs to have.

Here’s the updated list. Remember, the objective is to do more than the minimum listed here. These tasks are just supposed to be the gateway to get me moving.

15 minutes working on the current project – that’s either writing or editing.

5 minutes working on either planning fiction, or the next project. I realized that I hadn’t built in any thinking time to figure out what I want to work on next, brainstorm, that kind of thing. Also, when I’m editing the current project, I want to continue to write. It keeps the channels open.

5 minutes working on blog / newsletter / business tasks. This is where prioritization comes in. Before, I had these things equal with the fiction writing. I love doing them, but they can’t be as important. Lumping them all together gives each of them less priority. For now, this will include publishing tasks. I’ve learned that the publishing tends to take on an urgency that makes me forget about the more important task of writing. At this point in my “career”, publishing is less important than creating products to publish.

5 minutes yoga and meditation. Don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly no yogini, but calming the body and the mind is essential. I need to be in a good mental space to write.

The main difference between this list and the last one, is that the tasks are either writing, or supporting the writing. That gives writing it’s place as the third jewel in my crown. Other things still need to be done, and I will have other things vying for my attention, but I’m not going to assign them the spotlight of a tiny task. They will either happen, or they won’t.

So, there you go. We’ll see how it works out.

By the way, I hope I’m not boring you jabbering on about this stuff. It’s my hope that seeing me stumble around will give you something to think about in your own journey to wherever it is you need to go. Or at least provide some entertainment.

A reality show.

Kind of like Honey Boo-Boo with a keyboard.

June 19, 2016
What’s In The Center?

When we last left Betsy and the others who live in her mind, they were lounging on a grassy pasture beside a large, placid lake, feeling a distinct lack of motivation. Then the Muse showed up and kicked their butts. Betsy’s companions – Harry, Skipper, Clara, Coffee, and the Blogosphere, have all run off to start doing whatever it is they do. Well, all except the Blogosphere, who has gone off to sulk in another corner of the Internet. But Betsy has stayed behind. She is still sitting in the grass, staring at the lake.

What in the world is going on now? Let’s see….

*The Muse approaches Betsy* *Blades of grass do not bend under her bare feet as she walks*

You didn’t go off with the others. *Muse tilts her head* What’s up?

*Betsy pulls out a blade of grass and spins it between her fingers* *She does not look at the Muse* Something’s not right.

Ahhh. You finally noticed. *Muse settles down beside her* Have you figured out what it is?

*Betsy glances at her, then away* I think so.

*Muse leans back on her hands* What is it?

*Betsy turns to face her* I’m trying to do too much, and I’m just treading water, especially with my writing.

Hmmm. You think?

Yes. I’ve forgotten about you because I’m trying to do too many other things. Or I’ve pushed you aside. *Betsy looks down* I’m not sure which.

You’ve still been working, which is something. *Muse looks over at Betsy* But it’s not the work alone that matters, you know. It’s the intention and focus behind the work. You’ve gotten distracted from your main task.

*Betsy droops* I know. I feel like I’m being pulled in all sorts of different directions.

*Muse sits up and turns to face Betsy* They are all good directions.

They are? *Betsy frowns* I’m confused.

The fact that they’re all good is the biggest problem. You really DO need to do all of them. You need to clean and get the print books set up and get outside and walk and all that.

Okay. *Betsy thinks* *Shakes head* No, sorry. I still don’t get it. If they’re all good things to do, why do I feel this way?

*Muse looks at Betsy intensely* They’re good directions, but you’re giving everything an equal priority. You can’t do that. You can’t divide up the center of your life. What’s in the center needs to be the most important thing, and whatever else you do needs to support it. But the center needs to be the focus, and the focus can’t be split.

*Betsy bites her lip* But my list…

*Muse leans forward* See, your list is good because it gets you moving. But now it’s become the focus, not what you’re actually doing to get the check-mark on your calendar.

Are you saying that my list rules me?

Yes. And you can’t be ruled by a list or a check-mark. You need to be ruled by your center. *taps Betsy on the chest* In here.

And…you?

*Muse spreads her arms* You’re a writer. Writers write. If you don’t write, you’re not a writer. You’re something else, but not a writer. Writing is not a “task” for you. Writing is not something that “needs to be done”. Writing is your center, so you have to make sure you put it there.

*Betsy frowns* But…I can’t just ignore everything else.

No. You can’t totally withdraw from the other things you need to do. That’s the reality of life. You have to do them. You can’t push them off indefinitely and hope they’ll go away. You have to do them, and your list is a way to track that. But the important thing isn’t the list. The important thing is how doing those things work to support and enhance what is really the focus in your life.

And that’s the writing?

You know the answer to that. The center is the work. YOUR work. For you, that’s writing books and stories. For other people it’s being a mother, or running a business, or sculpting, or whatever it is that they were placed on this earth to do. But for you, it’s writing. So, even though the other things you’re trying to do are good, and even necessary, you have to remember what’s important, and put that in the center. Then the other things will fit around it.

*Betsy thinks* I’m not giving writing enough importance in my life.

No. The other things seem easier, or they seem like they’re more urgent, or they just bug you. You say that you’ll get them done so you can concentrate on writing, instead of doing the writing first.

And a lot of times, I never get to the writing. Or if I do, I just do the minimum.

*Muse smiles* And that, for YOU, in your life, is not the best way to handle things.

*Betsy thinks* So I need to re-evaluate. Give the writing importance in my day. Let the other things fall in place around it. *Looks at Muse* Find my center again.

*Muse nods* Find the center, then live from that. *pats Betsy’s cheek* Give it the focus, no matter what else comes your way. No matter if you only have five minutes a day when your other responsibilities aren’t driving you wild. In your mind, in your heart, it’s the important thing. Find your center, and live from that.

*Betsy bites her lip* Nobody else will understand. Everyone will think I’m strange or delusional. It’s not like I’m setting the world on fire.

*Muse shakes her head* That doesn’t matter. Don’t let that stop you from doing what you know is the right thing. Besides, people already think you’re strange.

They do?

Duh. *Muse stands* Do what you know is best in your life.

*Betsy thinks* *Draws in a long breath* Okay.

*Muse nods* Okay.

To be continued…

You must know the difference between what’s important and what’s urgent, and you must do what’s important first. And what’s important is the work.

Steven Pressfield, The War of Art

June 12, 2016
Lazy

When last we left Betsy and her blog, she was musing about word “can’t”. But what has she done with those thoughts? Is she moving forward? And if she is, why is she lounging on a grassy meadow beside a large, placid lake in her mind? And why are the others helping her on her Quest to become a better writer, and a better person, lounging with her? Why is Harry, the white gerbil who is the Guide for Betsy’s Quest, staring vacantly off into space? Why is Clara, the resident dust bunny, powdering her nose and draping cobwebs on flowers? Why is Skipper, the chipmunk who is the best Habit Implementation Specialist on the Muse Council, sitting still for the first time ever? Why is the Blogosphere, Betsy’s portion of the blogging universe, silent? And why is Coffee, the beverage of champions, looking practically decaffeinated?

What’s going on? And where is the Muse?

Let’s see…

I don’t know what to write for my blog. *Betsy lays back on the grass beside the lake in her mind* *Bees buzz over flowers* *A cool breeze blows*

Then don’t write anything. Here have a sip. *Coffee pours himself into a mug* Oh, wait. *He shivers* There. Iced. *Hands mug to Betsy.

Thanks. *Betsy sits up and takes mug* *sips* That’s pretty good, but I still feel like I should write something for the blog.

You could clean instead. *Clara the dust bunny sneezes and pulls another cobweb out of her fur* I’m thinking you need to vacuum more than once a month.

Maybe. But I spent most of the holiday weekend cleaning and crap. I should be writing.

You could work on a tiny task *Skipper takes mug from Betsy and sips* Oh, delish! You outdid yourself this time, creampuff.

*Coffee steams*

I could, but I’m just not feeling motivated. *Betsy lays back down on the grass* *Looks up at the sky* I don’t feel like working. I guess I don’t feel like doing anything. Except maybe watching Netflix.

I got you, doll. I don’t feel like Guiding you either. *Harry lays back on the grass beside her* It’s nice here. We should just stay for a while.

Yeah. *Betsy closes her eyes* It’s not like I’m getting anywhere anyway. I mean, yeah, I have some stuff out, but it’s just taking so long. It’s hard to keep writing, especially when you don’t feel like it.

It’s hard to keep steaming. *Coffee lays down beside Betsy* *Sloshes a little*

It’s hard to keep Guiding. *Harry curls his (shorter) tail over his nether regions*

It’s hard to keep cleaning. *Clara lays down beside Harry* *Sneezes*

It’s hard to keep jumping. *Skipper lays down beside Coffee*

It’s hard to keep blogging. *Blogosphere lays down beside Skipper* *Pauses to hurl a insult at a comic book movie* *Closes all it’s eyes.

You all are pathetic.

What? *Betsy props herself up on her elbows* *Blinks* Muse? Is that you?

Yes. *Muse is standing looking down on all of them, frowning* *She crosses her arms* Since when does it matter how you feel? You keep doing even when you don’t feel like it. If you wait until you feel like it, you’ll never do anything.

*Betsy frowns* Are you talking about writing the blog?

*Muse shrugs* The blog. The book. Life. Everything.

*Betsy frowns again* How can I write if I don’t feel like writing?

*Coffee frowns* How can I percolate if I don’t feel like steaming?

*Harry frowns* How can I Guide if I don’t feel like Guiding?

*Clara frowns* How can I clean if I don’t feel like organizing?

*Skipper frowns* How can I jump if I don’t feel like moving?

*Blogosphere frowns* How can I troll and make rude comments if I don’t feel like being mean?

*Muse frowns back at everyone* You just do it. *She points at Blogosphere* Except you. Don’t troll or be mean.

*Blogosphere sighs* Then what is the point of my existence?

I don’t know. *Muse glares at them all in turn* Look. You all knew what you signed up for when we started this gig.

I’m not sure I did. “Betsy’s frown turns into a glare* Netflix didn’t exist then.

Whatever. *Muse waves that away* You worked for years and never had anything published. Never even had anyone like the stuff you were writing. But you kept going. You didn’t stop.

I stopped sometimes.

Which is why it took so long to finish anything. But just because you’ve actually finished something now doesn’t mean that you can stop. It’s like losing ten pounds when you need to lose twenty. You have some success, but you can’t sit back and think it’s over because you’re not where you need to be yet.

*Betsy frowns, thoughtfully this time* So you’re saying that getting a little bit of the way to your goal is dangerous because then you get lazy?

*Muse points at her* Exactly. You can’t move forward only when you feel like it. You have to keep going no matter how you feel.

*Betsy gets to her feet* So, start writing and let the feelings take care of themselves?

*Coffee gets to its feet* Start steaming?

*Harry gets to his feet* Start guiding?

*Clara gets to her feet* Start organizing?

*Skipper gets to her feet* Start moving?

*Blogosphere lays back on the ground* I don’t care.

*Muse shrugs* Whatever. But for the rest of you, yes. Start, even if you think you have some breathing room. Don’t fool yourself.

*Betsy frowns* But I still don’t know what to write for my blog post.

*Harry pats her ankle* What if you write about this?

*Betsy blinks* Hey, that’s a good idea!

And so she did just that.

To be continued…

June 5, 2016
Can’t

Nobody knows the importance of words better than a writer. After all, words are the tools I work with. Visual media is all well and good, but words get inside your brain and paint pictures only you can see. And if I want you to see basically the same thing I’m seeing, I’d better be aware of the words I’m using.

I believe with all of my heart that words are powerful. They can be powerful in a good way, or powerful in a bad way. That’s because words are basically symbols for thoughts.

Pure thought has no shape or substance. To give a thought meaning, to be able to express that thought to another person, or even to be able to understand it ourselves, we have to make that thought into a story. We have to change thoughts into symbols we can assimilate, and then, maybe, communicate.

There are some words that are particularly powerful. One of those words is “can’t”. Sometimes that’s a good thing. For example…

“I can’t jump naked off that 400 foot cliff onto jagged rocks without dying”
“I can’t stand in front of a tractor trailer going 70 mph without being hit. And dying.”
“I can’t punch a police officer without going to jail.”

“Can’t” used this way forces you to recognize consequences. You can’t do something without something else happening.

“Can’t” also helps define our abilities. If I tell you “I can’t run fast”, trust me that this is the truth. I really can’t run fast. My body is not capable of running fast. If I tell you “I can’t pay cash for a Mazarati,” this is also true. I don’t have that capability.

But “can’t” might also be used in ways that are dangerous, especially when we use it in an internal monologue. That’s because “can’t” is essentially a word of limitations. It defines boundaries. Sometimes that’s good, such as when we are contemplating jumping naked off a cliff onto jagged rocks. But sometimes it’s not very helpful, or true.

For example, if I say “I can’t clean up my bedroom,” that is not a true statement. Of course I can clean up my bedroom. What I am really saying is “I choose not to spend the little free time I have cleaning up my bedroom” or “I don’t want to clean up my bedroom”. But I CAN clean up my bedroom if I want to clean up my bedroom. There are no real limitations to my ability to clean up my bedroom.

If I say “I can’t write,” this is also false. I obviously CAN write. I’m writing this. What I’m saying is “I’m not sure that I can write something good” or “I don’t know what to write”. But I CAN write.

In these instances, “can’t” is being used as shorthand, but it can also be dangerous if the power of the word is turned against us, especially in our own thoughts.

Consider these statements-

“I can’t write another book”
“I can’t resist cookies.”
“I can’t clean out my closet.”
“I can’t get ahead.”
“I can’t save money.”
“I can’t win.”

Used in this way, “can’t” has turned us into a victim. We are powerless in the face of the tasks and concepts expressed. We are limiting ourselves. We “can’t” do it.

And yet, of course, in many cases when we tell ourselves we “can’t” do it, we really can. Of course we can. It may not be wise. It may not be a suggestion that we should follow at the moment, but we CAN do it.

Look at what happens if we exchange word “I can’t” for the phrase “it’s not wise to”

“I can’t jump naked off a cliff onto jagged rocks”
“It’s not wise to jump naked off a cliff onto jagged rocks.”

This is a true statement. It’s not wise to jump naked off a cliff onto jagged rocks.

“I can’t resist cookies.”
“It’s not wise to resist cookies”

Um, no. Sometimes (such as when you are a diabetic writer) it IS wise to resist cookies. I CAN resist cookies. I just choose not to resist cookies sometimes.

See? Although the decision not to resist cookies is (for me) unwise, by acknowledging that I’ve made a decision I take back power in the situation. I CAN resist cookies, but I choose NOT to resist cookies. That statement is an acknowledgment of my choice, not blaming a false limitation and making myself a victim to what I can and can’t do.
Of course, it also means that my actions are my responsibility. I have made the choice.

And that is the biggest danger of using “can’t” in our internal thoughts. If we think “can’t”, we could be avoiding responsibility for our actions.

“I can’t write another book” means it’s not my fault. “I choose not to write another book because I’d rather fat-ass and play video games” means that it is my decision, and my responsibility. Or “I feel inadequate about writing another book because I’m afraid I’ll never be able to do it again” means I have to face up to my fears. Or “Writing books is hard and I don’t know if it will turn out any good” means that I have to struggle to persevere or decide not to struggle and persevere.

A lot of times, “can’t” is a heck of a lot easier.

So, what is the point of this whole thing? For me, it’s about taking the first step forward. There are still many areas in my life where I feel helpless, even though I actually have all the power. My spare bedroom and my closet intimidate me because I don’t see how I can get them organized. I “can’t” do it.

And yet, I can.

And I actually am, by doing a little bit at a time. As I move forward, I see that I “can” because I “am.”

Maybe that’s what I’m trying to say here. If you do it, you’ll see that you can do it. You still have to think about what you’re doing and consider the consequences – the word “can’t” exists for a reason. But if you haven’t done the things you’ve wanted to do for days or years, or for your whole life, because you’ve think you “can’t”, take another look, and take action. Maybe you’ll find out that you “can” after all.

“Can’t” is a powerful word. Don’t use it against yourself. I’ll try to do the same.

May 22, 2016
Trusting The Muse

When last we left Betsy, she was riding high after publishing her latest book, having survived trials, tribulations, and the obsessive urge to press the “publish” button over and over again. She was even starting to think about taking control of the REST of her life. She was laughing, singing, and dancing in the privacy of her own home.

But now Betsy is sitting like a huddled mass in front of her computer screen, keening softly as she contemplates the display. Whatever is going on? Can her Muse find out what’s wrong?

Let’s see…

*Betsy sits alone in the creative control center portion of her brain* *looks at cockpit of screens arrayed in a semi circle around her* *reaches out a hand to tentatively type on the keyboard* *hesitates* *pulls hand back* *wraps arms around her waist* *begins rocking*

Whatcha doing?

*Betsy jerks upright* What? Where? Who? Oh, it’s you, Muse. *slumps back down* Hi.

*Muse sucks on glittery purple lollipop* *hops up on worktable directly in front of Betsy* *swings feet shod in silver go-go boots*

So what are you doing?

Trying to write.

How’s it going?

I don’t…I think…I’m not sure…

*Muse slurps lollipop* Spit it out, sugar.

*Betsy rocks faster* I just don’t think I can do it again. I think I’m probably a fraud and a failure. I’m pretty sure I don’t have any ideas left. I’m sure I can’t possibly tell a story. My books are crap and so am I.

*Muse considers her* You think?

I’m pretty sure. I’m stupid for even thinking I could do this.

Uh huh. *Muse breaks off lollipop, chews it, and throws the stick away* I was under the impression that you were already writing the next book. You’ve got it plotted out and everything.

*Betsy rocks still faster* Yes, but it’s crap and I’m stupid for even thinking that this is a good idea. I don’t know where the story is.

*Muse leans back on one hand* But when you sit down to write, does something come out?

Yes.

And is it unexpected and maybe nothing you even thought you could write? And maybe you don’t even know where it came from because you didn’t intend to write that particular thing when you sat down?

*Betsy’s rocking slows* Usually.

So it’s there when you need it, but it might not always be there when you’re just going through your day-to-day life?

*Betsy stops rocking* I guess.

*Muse sits straighter* *spreads her hands* Ta da!

*Betsy frowns at her* Ta da?

*Muse bops her on the head* That’s me, dummy.

Ow. *Betsy rubs the top of her head* Okay. *thinks* *shakes head* Sorry, I don’t get it.

*Muse punches her on the arm now*

Ow! *Betsy rubs her arm* Why are you being mean?

I’m being mean because you’re being a moron. When you sit down to write, when you keep the channel open between us, when you actually work on your stuff every day—

Like I am.

*Muse nods* Like you are, then the story is there when you need it. In fact, the truth is that the story is always there. But when you don’t touch it consistently, your pipe gets clogged and you can’t see it.

*Betsy thinks* But I am working every day.

Yes. But it doesn’t help anything if you’re all hunchy and rocking back and forth on your desk chair and scared to even sit down at the computer because you think you can’t “do it”, whatever “it” is. The story is there. It will come out of you if you let it. You have to trust me.

*Betsy pouts* I don’t think “hunchy” is a real word.

I’m the Muse. I make stuff up. And that right there is what I’m talking about. Don’t try to change the subject. Focus.

*Betsy pouts some more* I am focused. You’re saying that if I don’t doubt myself, if I keep working, that the story will happen. If I build it, you will come.

*Muse sighs* *jumps down from desk to sit on arm of Betsy’s chair* *puts arm around Betsy’s shoulders* I’m saying that you will doubt yourself. That’s what you humans do, at least as far as creative stuff goes. In the back of your mind, you might think you’ll never be able to create something again. You’ll think that you’re being stupid and that you should stop. You’ll think that you’re wasting your time and that people will laugh at you or, even worse, ignore you and what you’re putting out in the world. You’ll think you’re a fraud.

*Betsy slumps* I do.

*Muse shakes her a little bit* But what I’m telling you is that you need to ignore it. You need to keep going in spite of all that. Because if you reach out, I’ll be there.

*Betsy frowns* I think that’s a song.

*Muse shrugs* I like songs.

*Betsy frowns* So, keep going in spite of all of these thoughts? Don’t let them stop me?

*Muse squeezes her shoulders* I’m there. The story is there. The world of imagination is there. The birth of creation is there. You’ve heard your whole life that they’re not there. You’ve heard your whole life that you have to be the same as everyone else. That’s the lie.

*Betsy straightens* I should keep going

Yes. *Muse kisses her cheek* *Stands* Keep going.

*Muse vanishes*

Okay. *Betsy turns back to keyboard*

To be continued…

May 15, 2016
Mundane Life Tasks

When we last left Betsy, she had just published the digital version of her newest book on all platforms and was working diligently on the print version. But publishing, as you might expect, sucks up a lot of time. What about all of the other little things you have to do in life? What about the dishes? What about vacuuming? Are those things getting done as well?

The short answer is—no.

Let’s join Betsy as Skipper, the Habit Implementation Specialist (and a chipmunk) sent by the Muse Council, tries to get her to see that she needs to deal with these little mundane tasks, too.

Betsy enters her brain* *walks down frontal lobe* *stops*

You’re new. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before.

I’m Clara.

You sound congested.

Allergies.

*Betsy considers the fuzzy gray blob standing in front of her* What are you, anyway?

I’m a dust bunny.

I have a dust bunny in my brain?

Obviously.

Well, that explains a lot. So, why are you here?

We’re overpopulated out in your living room. I was looking for my own place.

*Betsy thinks* I’m not really sure how I feel about this. I mean it’s one thing to have the Guide for my Quest and my Muse, and Coffee and Skipper, the Habit Implementation Specialist chipmunk, all living in my brain, but having actual dust living in my brain seems wrong.

*Clara sits on haunches* You’re the one who never vacuums. Dust was bound to get into your brain sooner or later.

Still..

Clara? *Skipper hops down the frontal lobe* Where did you—oh, there you are. Hi, Betsy.

*Betsy points* Did you know I have a dust bunny living in my brain?

Sure. I invited her to move in.

You did? *Betsy stares at Skipper* Why, for heaven’s sake?

Because I think we need a Life Task Specialist on Team Betsy.

*Betsy looks at Skipper* *Looks at Clara* *Looks back at Skipper*

A dust bunny?

Come to my office.

*Betsy and Clara follow Skipper to her office* *Betsy closes door behind her*

What’s going on?

*Skipper takes seat behind her maple desk* First, I’m quite pleased with how your “Tiny Task Initiative” is going (see this blog post for details).

*Betsy sits in visitor’s chair* Yeah, I’m doing good, right? Check marks on my calendar almost every day. And the days I don’t get check marks, it’s because I’ve got a deadline for one of the tasks, so I can’t get them all done. But I’m actually working.

Yes, yes. *Skipper flaps paw* You’re doing very well.

*Betsy preens*

But there are some important things slipping through the cracks.

*Betsy droops* There are?

*Clara hops over to desk* *Jumps to sit on top of it*

Did you know the corner behind the cupboard has been declared a hazardous zone? They’re advising all visiting dust bunnies to wear masks. *Clara sneezes* And when dust bunnies think it’s dirty, you’ve got a problem.

Have you noticed that I’ve been busy?

Yes. *Skipper folds paws* That’s what we need to talk about. Although it’s wonderful to see you making progress on your tiny tasks, there are things in your life other than writing that you have to take care of as well.

*Betsy throws up hands* What do you want from me! Either I’m going to be a writer, or I’m not!

*Skipper holds up a paw* First- you ARE a writer. Period. Second, there are things that happen in day-to-day life, things like mowing the lawn and paying the bills, that you can’t totally ignore.

*Betsy slumps* Really?

So, we need to give those things some importance too.

*Betsy slumps further in chair* Yeah? How? I only have so many hours in the day.

*Skipper jumps up on her desk to sit next to Clara* I know. And it’s true that writing has to take priority with your time. But you can’t keep putting off the little tasks of life. It’s called balance, and it’s stressing you out. Not to mention the fact that you’ve incurred late charges on some things just because you didn’t take the time out of the weekend to pay the bills. And don’t get me started on the taxes.

Okay. *Betsy sighs* I guess stuff has to happen. But I still don’t know when I’ll do it all.

*Skipper dangles back paws off desk* You’re going to do what you’ve been doing with the writing. You’re going to add another tiny task.

*Betsy looks up* I am?

*Skipper nods* Yes. You will have five tiny tasks to do every day. 50 words of new fiction. 50 words of new other stuff. 1 minute of walking. 5 minutes of publishing / business stuff. And 5 minutes of life tasks.

*Betsy sits straighter* I don’t know if I can do it. I don’t know if I can handle five tasks every day.

*Skipper shrugs* I think your biggest problem is being overwhelmed. It seems like too much to do, so you don’t do anything. You’re going to have to chip away at it. You need to create a disciplined, structured environment to write, not ignore something until you have to run around like an idiot to take care of it at the last minute.

*Betsy thinks* So, don’t run away from life or use the writing as an excuse. Take care of the routine bits and pieces of life a little at a time. That way I’ll make some progress, and they won’t build up and choke me?

*Skipper bounces to her feet* *Strikes cheerleading pose* By George, you’ve got it!

*Betsy sighs* Okay. *sighs again* Guess I’ll get out the vacuum cleaner.

*Clara hops off desk* I’d better go tell the family to head out of town until you’re done.

Great.

To be continued…

May 8, 2016