Don't Take it Too Seriously

Don't take it or yourself too seriously--it's just life. You're allowed to make mistakes, screw things up and fall down (which everyone does and always will). Be kind to yourself in this process. Remember your intentions (those states of being and your authentic desires) are what you're truly after, not the specific outcomes or actions ~ Mike Robbins

I post a lot about developing routines and boundaries and sticking to those routines. Routines are how I get things done; boundaries keep me from ignoring the other parts of my life.

None of it matters if you're aren't having fun. The whole point of my dream journey is to possibly change careers to do something more enjoyable from home. But if it's not fun building the business, then it's not going to be enjoyable when you're able to quit working a full time job.

Some may argue that it will be better once you are doing it full-time, but think about it.  If something is bothering you when you're only doing it part-time, imagine the bother when you do it full time?

In my experience, not all stress or "not having fun" times are bad. You need those along the way to appreciate the good the times.  Just don't take things too seriously when you hit those bumps. For me that usually means it is time to slow for just a bit.

What do you do when things aren't fun anymore?

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Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?
 
When the War Between the States ended in 1865 many Americans emerged from the turmoil energized by their possibilities for the future. Frank Greerson and Gregory Young were no different. After battling southern rebels and preserving the Union, the two men set out to battle the Kansas Prairie and build a life together. Frank yearned for his own farm, away from his family—even at the risk of alienating them. Gregory, an only child, returned home to claim his inheritance to help finance their adventure out west.

Between the difficult work of establishing a farm on the unforgiving Kansas prairie, and the additional obstacles provided by the weather, Native Americans and wild animals, will their love and loyalty be enough to sustain them through the hardships?

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Sinking Into Your Pillow

Here's the feel of your head sinking into your pillow after a long, tiring day ~ Jill Badonsky

Don't you just love productive days when you are a "good" tired after completing a chore or project? That's how it should feel while you accomplish your dream goal, or even the the little milestone goals in between.

That's how I'm feeling right now.  I just got done with another edit of A Place to Call Their Own and I'm ready to start editing Disappear With Me.  All that with balancing writing in the third novel everyday, deciding which agents to submit the manuscript, and continuing to build my platform through social media.

But that's the beauty of pursuing a passion, working yourself until your tired, so you can get up the next day and do it all over again!

What's your favorite task on your dream journey that tuckers you out?  I'd love to hear!

The First Couple of Years

The first couple of years you make stuff, it's just not that good. It's trying to be good, it has potential, but it's not.  A lot of people never get past this phase; they quit. If you are just starting out or are still in this phase, you gotta know that it's normal and the most important thing you can do is a lot of work...It's only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions ~ Ira Glass

I ran across this quote this week and it spoke volumes to me.  It's exactly what I needed to hear right now.  I am in the midst of completely re-writing my first novel and preparing it for a possible publisher. 

I knew that the beginning of the novel needed some work, I was just stuck on how to adjust the beginning of the story to make it all work out in the end.  I also finally figured that out over the weekend and now am well on my way to getting the manuscript massaged and in shape for future publication.

If you think about, any job or task you undertake takes a couple of years to get really good at it.  I remember the first couple of years of being a corporate trainer.  After a couple of years, things just got easier and I did better. 

So, whenever you feel like you want to quit your dream journey, listen to the voice that tells you to keep on going.  Eventually you'll start producing the real work that you believe can.

Don't Worry About What You're Going to Get

My father used to say to me, "Show 'em what you can do, and don't worry abut what you're gonna get.  Say you'll work for free and make yourself invaluable." ~ Clint Eastwood

I have lived with the principle of making myself invaluable in my career really my entire life.  It really sunk in about fifteen years ago.  That's also when I stopped asking how much new jobs paid, whether they were just different jobs within my same company or they were with a new company. 

If you're pursuing a creative dream, like I am, this is very much the same.  As any writer will tell you, you have to toil away day after day, night after night, working the writing around a full time job and familial obligations.  But just like anything worth doing, it's very worth it to me to do it for free for a bit until I can attempt to parlay that into a full time career.

With the new season of America's Got Talent just starting, this quote also makes me think of most creative pursuits.  If one loves something, you'll keep on doing it, no matter how one fairs in contests or commercially.  If you work hard enough, one day the rewards one is looking for will pay off.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!  Let the summer begin!

Are You Chasing Your Dream, Living It, or Both?

My j-o-b that pays the bills has been hectic again for the last two weeks.  But I just realized, I am living that dream.  I left a retail job last year to return to a call center and I love it.  I have been managing a new department since   February; we started from the ground up and everything is going pretty smooth.

Although I don't always have the energy to work on my writing and blogging like I should, my writing career is still on my horizon.  I am still chasing that dream.  No matter how tired and exhausted I am, I manage to get some reading done.  That's a writing activity, right?

So I hope that you're either living a dream or chasing a dream.  I happen to be doing both.

Have a great weekend!

Just quick note today...

I have to return to the JOB at 1 PM today to train some new team members, so most of the other time off will be spent sleeping.  Today’s blog post is really just a big Tweet or Facebook status update for my thoughts at the moment.

I am happy that it’s opening day for Major League Baseball.  Baseball was the only team sport I played as a kid, so it’s one of the only sports that I can watch; I understand it.  I’ll never forget  the 2007 season when the Colorado Rockies went all the way to World Series.  I was at Coors Field the nigh they won the National League Pennant.  Go Rockies and Go Kansas City Royals!

I am looking forward to getting some quality writing in this weekend.  I finally have my weekend staff at work stabilized so I shouldn’t have to go in.  I think I will work less than fifty hours this week, so I should have the energy to work on the novel.

My other exciting news to share is that I’m working on some upcoming guest blogs.  Be on the lookout for some guest blogs to be posted from new friends and old.

Have a great day!