OK, its not that I did not expect it, but it is tough to be faithful to my new schedule.
My New Year's Resolution included 3 simple commitments. One related to writing on regular basis to achieve specific goals and the other two housekeeping goals aimed to bring some order (and comfort I might say) to my daily life.
What I definitely did not expect, was to find the hardest of all to sit down on a daily basis, concentrate and write on one specific topic: my first tentative journal paper for this year. Not write in general, reports, emails etc. for my work.
All kinds of different temptations would appear as urgent priorities while I would try to concentrate and write.
And the internet, oh the internet which in a way is an important tool for my work... what a bad influence has on my writing efforts.
I can so easily get distracted when looking for something and get lost in other pages and other thoughts. Or just read related documents but not write..
OK, the first 3 days I just wrote 723 words so I am aiming for ~1300 words until Saturday.
Here is a new commitment: While I sit down and write, I should have my internet connection turned off.
I can definitely use material already collected and whenever I want to check out something for my work, I will make a note and check it at a later stage, when my writing is over. So, I can use it the next day.
At least, my bed, closet, and office are looking neat and tidy (these last 3 days :) ).
I should post some photos for you to see because I feel very proud of myself about it.
Getting into some good habits gives me hope that everything can be achieved, sooner or later!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
A set of starting goals
Two days of family gatherings,dinners and holiday celebrations passed.
Tomorrow, a new day of work starts with several tasks, old, unforeseen, systematic and urgent.
Among my other deliverables, I have to finish 4 journal articles (~20000 to 24000 words total) in the next 80 days (ROW80).
Since I would like this year to have 1day free per week, just for myself (and that day could be Sunday), I should only count 6 days per week for work. Thus, not 80 days but approximately 70 days.
My writing goal then would be 1000 words every 3 working days: Monday to Wednesday and Thursday to Saturday. Or otherwise stated, 2000 words every week. That is a lot for me (to dedicate systematically just for journal article writing)
I need to introduce some routine in my not-work related tasks that would remind me my commitment to become a more organized person. Since life time habits do not change from one day to the other and I am well aware of that, I will practice only the following 2 "housekeeping" tasks for the next 1 month.
1. Leave my office tidy before returning home from work. Maybe I don't aim for a totally clean desk, but a desk and surroundings that clearly exhibit some kind of order.
2. Make my bed and keep my closet organized before leaving home to go to work every morning
I am not very sure which of all the above tasks I am afraid the most...lets see which one would be the most challenging for me in the next few days!
Tomorrow, a new day of work starts with several tasks, old, unforeseen, systematic and urgent.
Among my other deliverables, I have to finish 4 journal articles (~20000 to 24000 words total) in the next 80 days (ROW80).
Since I would like this year to have 1day free per week, just for myself (and that day could be Sunday), I should only count 6 days per week for work. Thus, not 80 days but approximately 70 days.
My writing goal then would be 1000 words every 3 working days: Monday to Wednesday and Thursday to Saturday. Or otherwise stated, 2000 words every week. That is a lot for me (to dedicate systematically just for journal article writing)
I need to introduce some routine in my not-work related tasks that would remind me my commitment to become a more organized person. Since life time habits do not change from one day to the other and I am well aware of that, I will practice only the following 2 "housekeeping" tasks for the next 1 month.
1. Leave my office tidy before returning home from work. Maybe I don't aim for a totally clean desk, but a desk and surroundings that clearly exhibit some kind of order.
2. Make my bed and keep my closet organized before leaving home to go to work every morning
I am not very sure which of all the above tasks I am afraid the most...lets see which one would be the most challenging for me in the next few days!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)