Mindy,
I am definitely cursed by spontaneity. Or caring for my children. And my wife… Pretty much anything can keep me from writing.
Luckily, I have a day job, so I’m still able to provide for my family, but it does take my time away from building for the future (that time when I get to work from home and live a wonderful family life with no commuting.)
…oh, I should be working on my website right now. Ooops!
Hi Lee!
I think that’s the hardest thing about spontaneity … if it’s for something genuinely important (like caring for you family), how can you justify NOT being spontaneous? I have yet to figure that out…
Thanks for sharing – always nice to hear from you!
Hi Mindy & Lee,
I’ve just signed up with Wealthy Web Writer and enjoyed reading your posts. I am in the same situation as you both are. I would change “spontaneity” in my case, to “procrastination” as even tho’ I’m no longer out in the workforce away from home, I find that most days I just can’t get started on my internet studies. I’m so scattered and distracted by dozens of little chores and interruptions that keep me from settling down to work on what I intended as the “to do” each day. I haven’t made any $$ — just keep buying more programs — definitely information overload. But I think I’m afraid to start.
…keep hearing my Grandmother’s voice telling me “Procrastination is the thief of time”. Truer words were never spoken!! What is wrong with me darn it? Guess I need a swift kick or more of a deadline. Is there a pill for this stupid bad habit or what??
Oh Elizabeth, I have to confess your post made me laugh heartily! Only because you sound exactly like ME during my first year of web writing. I think my lowest point was when I decided I “needed” to watch a few movies instead of working on my writing … in an attempt to clean out the video cabinet (ha).
I think what finally changed for me is that when I got my first client (who was a dear, very low-paying outfit), I started to gain confidence in my writing. I especially gained confidence every time I got my small check in the mail. That, and it was nice to justify all the money I had SPENT on all the web writing programs out there!
I think you’re already on the right track – being here on the site and commenting and sharing and reaching out to others will really take you further than you’d imagine, and once you land that first job, there will be another, and then another. Just stick with it, drop in every once in a while, and know that we’re all rooting for you!
Wow! You hit the nail right on the head – and hard! I think we’ve had a “mastermind” moment. I’ve been thinking hard about this “curse” and how to fix it. The only thing I can think of is make a schedule and try to stick to it. I say “try” because life happens so often, but if you have a plan to go by, it gives you some accountability (ie, I can’t run to the store, I have to finish this landing page).
Now, I just need to find the time to make that schedule… 🙂
Hi Kellie — excellent point! You’re exactly right about “life happening.” And the thing is, every time it does I wind up saying to myself, “Well, this is why I’m fortunate to live the writer’s life – because I CAN pick up and go do this…” except that it means whatever assignment I was working on doesn’t get done.
I’m with you on the schedule… although I see it more as a “suggested guide” – that way I’m not too mad at myself if I don’t stick to it!
Great to hear from you – hope to see you at Bootcamp next month!
Mindy
6 Responses
Mindy,
I am definitely cursed by spontaneity. Or caring for my children. And my wife… Pretty much anything can keep me from writing.
Luckily, I have a day job, so I’m still able to provide for my family, but it does take my time away from building for the future (that time when I get to work from home and live a wonderful family life with no commuting.)
…oh, I should be working on my website right now. Ooops!
Lee
Hi Lee!
I think that’s the hardest thing about spontaneity … if it’s for something genuinely important (like caring for you family), how can you justify NOT being spontaneous? I have yet to figure that out…
Thanks for sharing – always nice to hear from you!
Mindy
Hi Mindy & Lee,
I’ve just signed up with Wealthy Web Writer and enjoyed reading your posts. I am in the same situation as you both are. I would change “spontaneity” in my case, to “procrastination” as even tho’ I’m no longer out in the workforce away from home, I find that most days I just can’t get started on my internet studies. I’m so scattered and distracted by dozens of little chores and interruptions that keep me from settling down to work on what I intended as the “to do” each day. I haven’t made any $$ — just keep buying more programs — definitely information overload. But I think I’m afraid to start.
…keep hearing my Grandmother’s voice telling me “Procrastination is the thief of time”. Truer words were never spoken!! What is wrong with me darn it? Guess I need a swift kick or more of a deadline. Is there a pill for this stupid bad habit or what??
Elizabeth
Oh Elizabeth, I have to confess your post made me laugh heartily! Only because you sound exactly like ME during my first year of web writing. I think my lowest point was when I decided I “needed” to watch a few movies instead of working on my writing … in an attempt to clean out the video cabinet (ha).
I think what finally changed for me is that when I got my first client (who was a dear, very low-paying outfit), I started to gain confidence in my writing. I especially gained confidence every time I got my small check in the mail. That, and it was nice to justify all the money I had SPENT on all the web writing programs out there!
I think you’re already on the right track – being here on the site and commenting and sharing and reaching out to others will really take you further than you’d imagine, and once you land that first job, there will be another, and then another. Just stick with it, drop in every once in a while, and know that we’re all rooting for you!
Best,
Mindy
Wow! You hit the nail right on the head – and hard! I think we’ve had a “mastermind” moment. I’ve been thinking hard about this “curse” and how to fix it. The only thing I can think of is make a schedule and try to stick to it. I say “try” because life happens so often, but if you have a plan to go by, it gives you some accountability (ie, I can’t run to the store, I have to finish this landing page).
Now, I just need to find the time to make that schedule… 🙂
Hi Kellie — excellent point! You’re exactly right about “life happening.” And the thing is, every time it does I wind up saying to myself, “Well, this is why I’m fortunate to live the writer’s life – because I CAN pick up and go do this…” except that it means whatever assignment I was working on doesn’t get done.
I’m with you on the schedule… although I see it more as a “suggested guide” – that way I’m not too mad at myself if I don’t stick to it!
Great to hear from you – hope to see you at Bootcamp next month!
Mindy