I can’t believe it’s been almost a month since I announced The 2 Hour Project. Haha! It looks like realising this dream of mine’s gonna take a little work. But that’s ok. I already knew that.
These past few weeks have been all about getting clearer on what I’m gunning for this year. I’m old school. Uncool as it is, the idea of having solid operating and revenue models up and running makes me feel warm and gooey. This is still a complete work in progress.
I’ve also been trying out different ways of working and seeing what feels right for now. Think batching like tasks, writing outside, master task lists, and daily priorities.
Over the past weeks I’ve had a few flare ups with my back. I’ve felt pretty frustrated by them, but thinking of it now, I realize I’ve learnt an important lesson that will impact the way I work big time.
You see, for the past 3 weeks in a row I’ve caught myself thinking ‘next week’ll be different’ as I limp off to bed. Boy do I hope it will be. But I’ve also gotta face facts; it might not be different. Fuck! For a girl like me, facts like that suck the pus… but focusing on those hard truths is also empowering.
Working with the reality of my situation – specifically how much time, energy, and resources I can actually bring for sure to any project – means I can create a way of working that takes all the elements of my unique situation into account. It’s my very own jigsaw. This approach definitely sets me up for the best chance of success. And I’d much prefer that than being the victim over and over of some unachievable routine I’ve put in place based on an I’m-in-total-denial mindset.
You already know it, but here’s a reminder: This baby applies whatever your situation. Got a new born? Full time job? Heaps of homework? $50 in the bank? No internet access at home? 16 children? Forget cookie cutter shit. Applying some creative problem solving brilliance to your actual, unique reality is your best path to making your own Project Start Up/ Project Freelance / Project Fulltime Entrepreneur/Project Whatever a reality.
Here’s some other things working for me so far:
• Reminding myself that how I used to work/create is TOTALLY IRRELEVANT. What’s important is how it is for me now.
• Super slow and steady can be really fucking annoying when you’re someone motivated by accomplishing stuff. Building in achievable daily milestones (even if they’re tiny) makes all the difference for me.
• Taking a few minutes to get my head in the game first thing really helps me focus on and follow through with my priorities for the day. If I do this outside it becomes one of my favourite parts of the day.
• My writing is WAY better when I’m outside + away from the laptop. I’m talking about flow, quality, and experience here, and you know what that is, right? Uh huh. Writing Wonderland. (This makes me so happy that you should totally imagine I’m jumping-in-the-air-high-fivin’-you right now!)
I’d love to know: What do you do to set yourself up for a great work day?
I can’t wait to update again soon!
BLYB xo
- Like I need a stiff drink
- Inspired
- Like I can do anything
- Like Im at a yawn-fest
- Fascinated
- Excited
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
As I currently slave the last 10 weeks away at my day job (before becoming a mum and hopefully freelance designer and photographer) – I read out a positive affirmation, right before I sit at the desk. When I lag and my sneaky hand reaches for the phone to check Facebook etc, I get up and walk away from the desk, take a break, get a cold drink and back to it. Oh, and who could forget a task list, handwritten. None of this reoccuring reminders in Outlook stuff, tangible items I can tick off and if I did something NOT on the list, I write it on there so I can tick it off anyway.
Monika: It sounds like exciting times for you. I love these rituals! I too am a huge fan of handwritten lists and calendar entries. Hard copy definitely makes things more tangible! xo
I thought I was the only crazy one who added things to her handwritten to do list just to tick them off cause I’d damn well done it!!
I’m a list writer (soo many, too many). I write what little mini achievable goals I can get done that day. Even if they seem small I’m still moving forward. And lots of little small things make up a whole.
I always have a bottle of water with me to replenish my cells and I’ve learned to get away from the computer. Must, must get away from this screen to have a productive day.
Kate, you’re amazing and you’re doing wicked work. Thank you for being real. So refreshing.
I just wanted to thankyou for your writing and to say that it has inspired me several times this year already xx
And that is mainly down to you. Feel the fear and do it anyway, love those words !!! After all , whats the worst that can happen 
This year I have to decide, finally, if this is just a hobby for me or work full time at it. I asked a mentoring site if they have any meetings nearby to me and they have now set one up that I can get to !!! I would never have done that , ‘bothering’ people like that
I too am a lists girl, love them and being able to see them in front of me. Working from home, I make sure I get out for a walk, it clears the head. And computers !!!! Do not help getting things done.
I want to thank you too, for pointing out that what we USED to be able to do is gone by the wayside, and what we can do now IS good, and will be enough!
My hubby gave me some bruised ribs (too enthusiastic hug, lifted me off my feet at an angle), and while I’ve been recovering from that for the past couple of weeks, my doctor kindly informed me that I also have asthma! The ribs are healing, but I have been fretting at the back of my mind because the asthma won’t be going away, and the out-of-breath-ness has been drastically slowing down my work efforts.
But your post, and responses have encouraged me to start making a daily list, so I can see that I did do good work even if not as much as previously, and if I have to take breaks, that doesn’t mean I should give up.
(And yes, I would surely add stuff not on the list — it all counts! *g*)
Thanks, everyone!
I’m encouraged by the notion that whatever it is thats challenging for us as an individual can be worked with, learned from and ultimately can make us more creative in our work arounds and list making. I too am a list maker, but since having two kids my lists now are 2-3 things long and not 15-20! As you say it’s not important how I used to do it, but how I will now. Words to live by. Thank you.
Johanna @messylabstudio.blogspot