Unknown Jim

Tag Archive - break

It’s Time to Refocus

March 19, 2013 in Creativity, Dig Deeper, Life, Uncategorized with 6 Comments

Photo by Michael Dales (Creative Commons)

I’d like to push the power button, but I’m afraid I’ll miss something.

I’d like to focus one thing, but it’s easier to do several things instead.

All that surrounds me is noise.

Noise which starts within me.

I’d like to point a finger at someone else, but it always comes back to me.

I’m the one who tries to do too much.

I’m the one who goes into denial and says, “Sure, I can do more.”

Then I loathe myself when nothing gets accomplished.

The truth is I can’t do more.

I have to do less.

We all have to do less.

Energy, time, and attention spans are finite.

We all need a break.

To step away from the busyness.

To start over.

To refocus on why we do—what we do.

I challenge you to refocus. Are you taking on too much? Do you need to step away?

Last year, I attended the Luminous Project and it made me realize how often I leave the Creator out of creativity. I also realized how much I desperately need more silence.

I’m very excited that the next Luminous Project is less than two months away. I will be there and I ask you to consider attending as well. It’s in Nashville, TN. You can read details here. If you have any questions, feel free to email me. I hope to see you there.

Being a Parent and Pursuing your Dream

June 8, 2012 in Creativity, Dreams, Life with 17 Comments

Photo by ZDenadel (Creative Commons)

If you came here from Jon Acuff’s blog, welcome! Hope you enjoy the post. I’m so glad to have you! If you are a regular reader, I’m guest posting at Jon’s blog today. Thanks!!

Being a parent is really, really tough. It’s tiring. It’s emotionally and physically draining. At the end of a long day when the kids are finally in bed, you want to unwind. You want to relax. You want to spend some time with your spouse. You also want to work on your dream, but you simply don’t have the energy. Pursuing your passion means getting up early or staying up late, sometimes both.

Don’t be too hard on yourself! It’s important to unwind and relax. You need to do it. But, do not get in the habit of letting yourself spend the entire evening watching television or surfing the internet.

Simply watching a television show instead of a movie can GREATLY change your life and the pursuit of your dream. Sound a bit extreme? It’s not. Instead of spending a couple hours watching a movie, let’s say you spend 20-45 minutes watching a television show or two. Once the show is over, you get to work on your dream.

Alright, let’s say television or movies are not your thing. Let’s say you spend your time online, playing games, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Set a timer like this and give yourself 40 minutes. When the timer goes off, get to work on your dream.

I would even recommend just writing down SPECIFICALLY what you want to work on BEFORE you start to relax, so your subconscious can work some while you relax.

Here is my game plan for tonight:

1. Kiddo goes to bed.
2. Jot down what I have to do: Work on blog post about support.
3. Set timer.
4. Play guitar, watch some King of Queens and have a snack.
5. Timer goes off.
6. Do blog post.

Some days (or evenings) go better than others. That’s okay. If you slipped up last night and watched an entire season of 24 in one evening (not that I would EVER do that), don’t let that knock you down for the entire week. Get back to work and run toward your dream.

What’s your best tip as a parent pursuing your dream?