I Need to Follow My Own Advice

October 3, 2012 in Creativity, Dreams, Life with 22 Comments

Photo by Mark Brannan (Creative Commons)

Ever since I wrote this post here, I’ve felt some internal pressure to follow my own advice.

I didn’t.

And I totally messed up.

I got up at 5 AM on Thursday (or it might have been Friday) to do some writing.

I got some work done, but I have been rebounding ever since.

I have had countless naps and early bedtimes in the past few days.

Less productivity was the result of my trying to be more productive.

Don’t overdo it or you will fail.

You can’t fight yourself.

You will lose every single time.

For the past few days, I have gotten up just a half hour earlier than usual and I have been doing much better.

Find what works for you, but don’t try anything too drastic or your body will rebel against you.

 

Do you know what works for you? How did you find it? Thanks!

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  • http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

    Aren’t we all in this boat? We know what needs to be done, we say it, but we rarely follow our own advice?…

    It’s easier to say it than to do it. Realizing it and moving forward is the key. Go for it Jim.

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Thanks Joe. I needed to hear that!! :)

  • http://twitter.com/Prathiiiii Prathipa

    true :)

  • http://twitter.com/Sophie_Novak Sophie Novak

    I struggle with this too, like most of us I guess. Didn’t do so well in the past few days, but what generally works for me is to constantly brainstorm ideas. So, if I’m at my day job and do an automatic or easy task, I think of ideas to write about. Once I get an eureka moment, I work it out in my head and it’s much easier to write it down when you finally have the time and energy for it. I find that if the idea is there, the writing just flows. Obviously, it needs editing and much more work later on, but the draft is done. Thanks for sharing this Jim!

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      You bet Sophie! I love the writing you have been doing. You are doing really, really well!!!

  • http://intentionaltoday.com/ Ngina Otiende

    A week ago, I wrote and worked through the night – went to bed at 4.30am. The following day (or that morning) my mind was fried, my body beat and it took a few days to recover. You are right, just work what works!

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Uh oh. 4:30 AM? Wow! I bet you were really, really, out of it!!

  • http://denisedilley.blogspot.com/ Denise Dilley

    I’m glad you say “find what works for you.” There is so much advice out there that tries to be “one size fits all,” but let’s face it – we’re all different. If I tried to wake up at 5am I would get absolutely NOTHING accomplished. Not to mention that my boss would fire me because I’d fall asleep on the job. So, being a night owl, I stay up late to write. That works just fine for me. :)

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      You bet Denise! I think there are VERY few one size fits all answers for how to work, other than to just do the work, somehow. The key is to get it done!!!

  • http://snapshotofthewhole.wordpress.com/ Pamela Williamson

    Hi Jim. It is so nice to hear you say: ” Find what works for you, but don’t try anything too drastic or your body will rebel against you.” I’ve tried the getting up real early, staring at a screen when the words won’t come, and forcing myself to write in my assigned chair in front of my computer, all to be better disciplined, and hopefully more productive. Like you, it didn’t work so good for me. This post reminds me that I am not alone on this, and it reduces my guilt for not following through on my own self imposed regiments. Recently, I have allowed myself some slack. I write later in the morning, on my phone when I’m out and thoughts come to me, on my laptop when I am relaxing with the family, and at my desk late at night when I am most receptive. It works for me. I am writing more, with less pressure. Although, since I allow myself to write into the wee hours of the morning I find myself dragging in the afternoon. That’s okay with me, I put more words on paper and feel much more accomplished. Feels good despite the urge to nap. :) Thank you for your humble honesty. :)

  • http://randomlychad.com Chad Jones

    I’ve just plain stopped trying to keep up with everything. Can’t do it. Overwhelms my introverted soul, and interferes with the work I need to do. Which doesn’t mean I’m antisocial, just means I’m being intentional, dialing in on what needs to be done.

  • http://deuceology.wordpress.com Larry Carter

    Yes. I work better if I work in small batches, then sit down and finalize a bunch at once.

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Dig it. Very nice Larry. That’s how you blog everyday isn’t it. I just cracked your code! Oh wait, you told me. Doht :)

  • http://KatieAxelson.com/ Katie Axelson

    I’ve been making writing (or reading…) a priority in the evening over blog reading. I often find that I miss my cyber friends, the conversation that’s happening without me, etc. I feel you, Jim, it’s hard, but I’m sure it will be worth it… that’s what I keep telling myself.

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Katie, good for you. As long as you read Unknown Jim :) haha. Seriously, I totally can resonate with this. You deserve another cookie in my opinion Katie. Shoot, now I’m hungry!!

      • http://KatieAxelson.com/ Katie Axelson

        I’m still reading them just not as diligently and not as interactively (since commently isn’t a word). Don’t give me cookies until after I post short story part one on Friday… I’m getting cold feet.

        • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

          You CAN and will do it. Let me know if I can help in anyway!!

          • http://KatieAxelson.com/ Katie Axelson

            Write an ending to my story… ha

  • Michelle Woodman

    I can get up earlier (when I go to bed earlier, which didn’t happen last night), but I need some “putz around” time while I finish waking up. So I do a bit of reading, check out Facebook, catch up with Dilbert and such before getting to the work at hand.

  • http://rebootingworship.com/ Jamie Kocur

    I’ve discovered getting up a bit earlier for me works best, but definitely not 5 am. I get up around 7, which is perfect, because my day job doesn’t start until 10:30 (It’s the one thing I iike about my day job). As long as I get my butt in the chair to work, I can get tons done.

    If I try to force myself up earlier, I’m paying for it for days too. Definitely need to follow your body. It will rebel if you don’t.

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Wow Jamie, that is not too shabby going into work at 10:30!!!!!!!!! Those are almost like “musician hours” :) haha