This post is part of the A-Z Blogging Challenge 2015. If this is something new to you, check out the website here to find out all you need to know.
My
topics this year are covering studying and/or writing advice and
guidance, to maybe help you as you cope with everything else in life.
Be kind to yourself
I'm very good at scheduling things, work to be done, writing tasks, study tasks, laying everything out in my diary for when I can theoretically fit everything in. And in an ideal world I'd be able to do all the things when I say I'm going to do them.
But as we know we don't live in an ideal world, at least I don't anyway. There are family things that come up, and all manner of other occurrences that seem determined to knock us off our intended course.
To take into account all these unexpected eventualities you need to be kind to yourself, and not expect too much. Don't set yourself a mountain to climb with things to do each day, limit tasks to one or two and celebrate when you manage to get them done. You may have to put one off until the next day, and only catching up on one task is better than catching up on ten.
And don't forget to give yourself a treat as well when you actually complete a task on the day you set it. It's a rare event for me, but one worth celebrating!
But as we know we don't live in an ideal world, at least I don't anyway. There are family things that come up, and all manner of other occurrences that seem determined to knock us off our intended course.
To take into account all these unexpected eventualities you need to be kind to yourself, and not expect too much. Don't set yourself a mountain to climb with things to do each day, limit tasks to one or two and celebrate when you manage to get them done. You may have to put one off until the next day, and only catching up on one task is better than catching up on ten.
And don't forget to give yourself a treat as well when you actually complete a task on the day you set it. It's a rare event for me, but one worth celebrating!
Sometimes I forget this one. I want to get everything done and I push, push, push. A very good reminder for all of us. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine, I forget it too but we must take care of ourselves, then we can achieve more.
DeleteI think I'm too kind to myself but I'm worth it!
ReplyDeleteThe best way to be Keith!
DeleteI love Keith's comment! I think women are harder on themselves than men. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteI agree, for some reason we feel the need to have to prove ourselves with everything we do. As long as we're true to ourselves though, shouldn't that be enough?
DeleteWhat a great reminder. I tend to push myself every hour of every day. It gets exhausting. =D
ReplyDeleteI do the same RaShelle, I have to keep myself busy and constantly on the go. It's very difficult to actually relax!
DeleteGreat advice. If there's one thing I don't forget is that treating myself, even if I didn't accomplish anything :-)
ReplyDeleteHe he, I do that too Lorena, aren't we naughty?!
DeleteKeith's comment was funny.
ReplyDeleteI know how far to push. And when to stop.
I'm learning these things as I go, hopefully it'll boost my productivity.
DeleteI used to be very hard on myself, and in fact I would never treat others the way I treated myself, but I've gotten better now. It's good to have a reminder.
ReplyDeleteIt's been good for me to write these posts, it's serving as my own reminder to keep myself going.
DeleteI used to be quite hard on myself but have tried to learn to be kinder. Great advice. Still hard to remember. But very important, especially when you have kids and find it next to impossible to get much of anything done! Enjoyed the read.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cheryl, I'm glad you liked it. Having children certainly poses the greatest challenge, but they're worth it. Reminds me of what I'm working for.
DeleteI think this is very easy advice to give and hear but somewhat more tricky to put into practice. It's still very important to remember and be reminded of it.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I'm trying to remind myself of it each day but some times are harder than others.
DeleteGood advice. I often find when I coach new writers that they somehow think they need to stick to a perfect schedule in order to become successful writers. So they create a schedule that is almost impossible to follow - like write for 2 to 3 hours every single day. Most of them are so relieved when I tell them to go easier on themselves. I also tell them, we all have schedule changes now and then. The successful writers don't let this keep them from writing. They just adjust with the changes.
ReplyDeleteHappy writing!
Suzanne
A to Z Challenge participant
www.writingforchildrencenter.com
www.creativecaravanclub.com
Thanks for commenting Suzanne, I'm finding it easier every day to adjust with the changes but it's still a challenge. I wonder if it ever gets easier.
DeleteSo true. My philosophy is now "Let it go!" (not the song, LOL)
ReplyDeleteA great philosophy to have Luana (and I don't really mind the song either).
Delete