(This is a note I wrote to myself; I’m sharing it in the off chance others might get something out of it.)
I’m stuck. And I’ve been stuck for longer than I can remember.
It’s not my natural state (which is more like a productive laziness). I’ve gone through so many stuck-to-unstuck phases in my life that I have ample proof that “unsticking” is possible and that I’m capable of doing it. But knowing a thing and doing a thing are very different states. So, what am I to do? (Note that I say “do” and not “think about”.)
First thing is to believe that doing anything is worth doing, this may sound obvious, but if I don’t have that belief nothing will change. My life may not amount to a hill of beans, but they’re my beans!- Second is to inventory all of the things I need and want to do, with no judgement on whether they’ll ever get done. The key is to not get overwhelmed, such lists can cause anxiety if you don’t give yourself the freedom of veto.
- Third is to prioritize the things, from most important to least. Then assign a day & time to each item that makes the “I’m going to do this” list, and putting the rest into a “maybe someday” category. Those “maybe” items have to really be things you don’t mind never getting done, otherwise they’ll haunt you.
- Finally, make the promise to yourself that these things will happen – and hold yourself accountable.
So, now I’ve got a list of things I’m definitely going to do, and when I plan to accomplish them. But it’ll all end up being a pipedream if I’m not living a life that’ll support success. So things like eating, cleaning, exercise, sleep all need to be accounted for. Knowing how much actual time is available will help avoid overpromising and underdelivering.
Also, I’ve got to watch my emotional ecosystem to ward off all the negative nellies out there. Social distancing only works on physical pathogens, but paradoxically amplifies psychic viruses. Our traditional and social media tends toward fear and anxiety, even when propagating “humorous” memes (“Ha ha, we’re all going to die! ”). This is 100% in my control, I can choose to turn off all incoming noise, and need to keep this top of mind if I find my motivation flagging. Thought pollution works just like any other, a small amount can contaminate everything.
Finally, I need to start journaling again (with this being the first entry), short, daily retrospectives and dreamcatchers to help stay on track. Wasted time is the greatest of sins against nature and ourselves, and when things are allowed to stay in our minds (not committed to writing) it’s easy to kid ourselves into thinking we’re doing great.
So, all that remains is to see if I take my own advice and start where I stand. We’re all facing challenges, some more than others, but we all have the capacity to do our best.