It is a New Year. While it is early in the year, we should get the ball rolling.
We may not know what this year has in store for us, but that should not hinder us from hustling through. The small steps we will take for 2021 are as valuable as leaps of success—if granted one this year.
Right now, I feel like I should take a break, cut myself some slack. The year literally just started. But no matter how much I try to be a bum, there is a nagging voice in my head telling me how much time I am losing.
So here is how I plan on getting busy. What about you?
Make a calendar. Stick to it.
I like to see my plans spread throughout the 2×2 squares of my calendar. As much as I hate to mix my regular work deadlines with personal plans, it is nice to see what has to get done in the upcoming 30 days. Rather, what I would like to get done.
Calendaring makes me feel like I have my life in check and, at the same time, gives me a sense of urgency and accomplishment.
The downside, sometimes personal goals get by-passed due to urgent needs from my job and family. When these things happen, I convince myself that I can adjust my personal goals. Instead, I push these back until I have lost all desire to get back on track. My calendar set for a month or two in advance is left unaccomplished. What is worse is that you are left overthinking your shortcomings.
That was 2020 for me. Hopefully, 2021 will be much better.
But here is the thing, the calendar can also help you get back on track with ease. I can learn to let go of elaborate plans for the next month and focus on what I can bounce back on in the here and now. That way, I can keep my mind and hands busy and stop myself from going over how I could have handled my scenarios better in my head.
Write with Your Might
They say the best way to be a better writer is to actually write.
I have been putting off writing because, many times, I am unsure what to put into words. There are instances where ideas flow like a river. While there are instances when they are as dry as a desert. The worse part is that the rivers come in the middle of busy working days when you least need them. On the other hand, when you are idle and decide to dive into writing, the river is all dry and gone. Instead, you scroll through social media getting nothing done.
Inspiration is fleeting. Writing is said to be a discipline. And if I want to create things like this post, I should set aside time each day. No matter how hard. A sentence is better than a blank page.
I also tend to push things to the last minute. I have ideas and wait until these become lost opportunities before I actually complete my pieces. This post was planned over a week ago. I am only going through it one day before I should post it. It is a personal flaw I hope other people do not suffer the same.
I recently finished watching the series Community (I know it is more than a decade too late). In behind-the-scenes interviews, the cast mentions how Donald Glover never seemed to stop working even after takes.
He was writing or making his music, writing scripts, and doing this and that. Technology is so advanced now we can have internet and laptops with us everywhere. With the cameras available on almost all cell phones, what is stopping people from pursuing photography or film?
This made me think, what is stopping me. What is stopping you?
Take it Easy
Yes, I plan to calendar my next few months and write every day. I know I should do these, but I also know I might not. I am re-watching HIMYM. It is very tempting to just binge-watch after a long day at work then call it a day.
I will never know how other people do it, be successful with things they have already started. All I know is that I can try and that I don’t have to beat myself up for the days I miss. I can take what I can today and continue from there the following days.
Getting busy does not mean burning yourself out. You rested is better than sleepless nights, sleepy office mornings, and unmet deadlines.
Give yourself grace both over your passions and over your deadlines for work.
Working in a nine to five for the past 5 years, I have learned when to draw the line and put an end to the workday. This is a hard lesson when you’re a wide-eyed fresh graduate. I know there are 5 days to the workweek. You can finish what you can today. Tomorrow is another day.
Tap yourself on the back
I know what it is like to work your butt off and still not get recognized or awarded for your effort. I know what it is like to see your contemporaries given opportunities you think you deserve.
Everyone has their struggles. Only you know how dirty your hands had to get so you could be where you are—as long as it is your honest to goodness best. You cannot discredit the efforts of others. We are all biased with our own struggles and tend to overlook the time and sacrifice of others.
Wanting affirmation from the people around us is normal. But they would not always be there. Your best bet is yourself.
Treating yourself out or buying yourself that new pair of earrings is something I still have to convince myself to do. Sometimes I give into the lie that it is selfish to be indulging in myself when really that is not the case.
Keep Moving Forward
Meet the Robinsons, a film that pulled strong on my heartstrings with the twist and turns at the end. This is just like Dory’s motto in finding Nemo singing: Just keep swimming.
Things will definitely go off course. There will be detours to set schedules. There will be times when your heart may not even be in the right place, pulling you down from trying. It is okay. Getting stuck is normal.
Just keep on moving. A motto I have to convince myself to do.
I know that my fear of failing and of putting myself out paralyzes me. This makes trying things very difficult for me. When goals I try to do or my plan falls through, I am convinced that it is the world warning me that I am setting myself up for failure.
I am still trying to convince myself that failing is not something I should fear. And so, this is a reminder to just keep going even when plans fall through. Hiding would not take us anywhere anyway.
Busyzi 