Through the years, I’ve considered myself a committed planner. That meant I would plan a schedule for each day and attempt to accomplish all, or most things, on my list.
During the summers, I’d even make lists of things to plan. Those summers were before I was old enough to work, and when I was between books I was reading. I was bored.
Now, I have so much on my list that I’m happy to accomplish items within a day or two of when I list them. Obsessed? Maybe. This could be counter-productive, or maybe even demoralizing.
Striking a comfortable balance has taken me years to achieve. If you plan down to the minute, what happens if something urgent comes up and you can’t stay on schedule? What if you have a power failure? (My city had a total power failure a couple months ago.) I did not panic. Once I realized it wasn’t just us in our house, I relaxed. Now, these last few weeks with temperatures over 100 degrees, I would go into action mode. First, I’d remember how to open our garage door manually. We’re spoiled and our auto garage opener would be out of commission with no power.
Translating what’s urgent into life-saving values, I’d:
- Make sure we had water
- Turn off power on anything that could cause a fire when the power returned
- Gather my driver’s license and other important papers/take my handbag
- Find batteries and flashlights-Yes, I know my cell phone has a flashlight, but I’d want to conserve the phone power
- Fill a bag with non-perishable snacks
- Lock the doors
Check to see if a nearby town had power and head to a store, mall, or library
When following a tight schedule, I found I was no longer the obsessed, down-to-the-minute planner I thought I was. On vacation, I planned too much. As a single parent, I over scheduled. My son asked if we could take a “goof off day.” We were staying at a comfortable motel with a pool. He voted to have us relax and hang out around and in the pool. We did.
Years later, when I remarried, it seemed my husband was an “every minute planner.” Not following the schedule could be disastrous if we had plane connections to make. If we were driving, it was more manageable. I worked slowly to change his attitude, allowing us time to linger in places where something fun was happening, or a chance to sleep in if we were tired.
Now, apply this to my efforts to write, publish, and promote my books. All the elements have mushroomed! More people in the schedule, more pieces to fit together, and additional people’s needs to consider. Do I panic? Honestly, sometimes I do-a little. And then I take a deep breath.
My Scout leaders would be proud! I make sure we get fed, have a place to rest, have the clothes and gadgets we need, and the tools I need to get my work done. In the final showdown, what we all need is to be with people we love, and know we’ve done our best.
My writing reflects my values. John, a character in my next book, Love at First Sight, likes to make lists. It gives him clarity and helps him organize and make everything necessary happen.
So, my advice is:
- Make a list
- Put items in a logical order
- Add extra time to relax and get things done
- Be flexible! Allow time for changes and adapting to reality
- Enjoy your life.
- Go read a book!
It’s all in your perspective. Evaluate what’s most important, then plan accordingly! (And don’t be so hard on yourself! Only in life or death situations would you need to rush and let your adrenaline take over.)
I hope you’re saving time to read Love at First Sight, which I’ll be publishing in late August, in time for the kids to be back in school and the weather to turn cooler. Okay, shameless self-promotion! I admit it. Of all my books, I love Love at First Sight the most. I’m proud of all my books, but I had to work extra hard on LAFS since it takes place in the past and I had to invent many new characters.
Please let me know what you’re reading and whether you’re enjoying it! I love great recommendations.
Shelley@ShelleySommers.com
Happy Summer!
Hugs,
Shelley Sommers
www.ShelleySommers.com