Later in the day, I went for a swim (trust me, this is an important part of the story). My goal was to swim for at least fifteen minutes.I didn't have much more time than that to spend, because I had to get back to work. So why was it that I felt so frustrated after a fourteen minute swim? It was surely close enough to my goal to make the difference not matter. It bothered me that after all the work of getting ready to swim, going to the pool, and actually doing the deed, I still didn't feel like I'd done a good enough job.
On the way back home, it hit me. Sure, I'd said that my goal was to swim for fifteen minutes. It was the amount that I had consciously stated to myself. But subconsciously, what I had really wanted was to squeeze an hour's worth of swim time into that fifteen minute slot that was available to me.
As far as swimming goes, I need to think more positive, and realize that I am getting plenty of exercise. However, this realization has far-reaching repercussions in regard to my writing (see, I told you it would connect!) The reason that I was having trouble reaching my writing goals was that I'd chosen goals that I didn't really, truly want to achieve. Which doesn't matter as much if you're just a warm body to fill a position; but if you need to get the machinery of creative thinking to work, it needs to be for something that's worth it.
With that being said, I think I need to cut back on setting arbitrary goals for myself. I will still be writing the required number of articles for Trail's Edge, Weird Worm, You Amuse Me, and a new market I've recently started working for. But the main thing I want to achieve is finding out what parts of this writing lifestyle are really working for me, and focusing on those above and beyond the others. Because really, what is the point of slogging through the stress and struggle of a writer's life unless sometime, somehow, it makes you happy?
Image by nicole.pierce.photography on Flickr.
4 comments:
This really resonates with me as I struggle with many of the same things. I'm also a swimmer and love it.
I'm glad you liked it! I've just started to get into swimming, it's definitely better on the knees. And cooler in the summer!
I like this post. It spoke volumes but the most interesting point you made was: "The reason that I was having trouble reaching my writing goals was that I'd chosen goals that I didn't really, truly want to achieve." I recently made a Writer's Bucket List on my blog thinking this would make me do it. But not so sure now. Haven't had much motivation and your post/quote is what nailed it.
Thank you!
Btw, followed your blog from your profile on Squidoo. Thanks for liking my lens. It really made my day. Appreciate it! :)
It's so true! I think that, as we get older, most of us kind of get used to making ourselves do things we don't necessarily want to do, because we think we should. Which is great when it comes to dishes and laundry, but not so great when it spills over into setting life goals for ourselves.
Good luck with your goals, and thanks for stopping by :)
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