Once again, it's time for my monthly IWSG post. February was a short month so March truly arrived early.The theme for this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group is SIMPLIFICATION. This is something I have been working on for a couple of years and finally realize if I want to better manage my time (last month's theme), then I need to get better at simplifying my life
So, the theme is simplification but the issue is I JUST CAN'T SEEM TO ACCOMPLISH THIS!
I have multiple domains for websites, I have multiple email addresses for different purposes, I have multiple blogs AND I have so many books I want to write.
File here, notebooks there and sticky notes EVERYWHERE!
How to best simplify, any suggestions?
This may not count, but I've been feeling the same thing, and I've decided to start trying to deliberately set aside some time every day to Just Be (well, for me it's prayer, but I think it could work for all beliefs/none). Whenever I do that, I find the many other things I have to do to be much more manageable. I feel like it's kind of like sleep - I can either deliberately do it all at once, or I can sort of wish I was off and on throughout the day.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if that helps! But I'm the same way, so that's what I'm going to try. It's helped in the past.
That actually does help. I've been doing yoga twice a week and when I get home on those days, I'm full of "go get it" energy. I keep talking about doing 30 minutes or so of yoga at home on my off days but never get around to it. I'm thinking after reading your note that this might benefit me in additional ways. Thanks!
DeleteI don't know for sure if it would work, but I'd probably try to keep things in some kind of organization.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you need to categorize, that's why all the blogs and emails. Maybe organizing them and scheduling when you use them could help? I hired a web designer to put all my things under one roof. That really helped me.
ReplyDeletePlay off the Page
I used to have 5 blogs and I loved each one, but in the end I had to choose what was most important to me at the time. Now I only have two blogs and I don't post as often even on those. Writing has to take priority for me and that means my online social life is dwindling. I miss it terribly, but I'm getting more work done on my books.
ReplyDeleteAsk yourself what is the most important right now and focus on that. It's okay to let something you love go. Hard, but okay in the end. Good luck!
I feel your pain. I decided last month I was multitasking myself to nowhere... I sat down and started scheduling my time out, and decided where I wanted to focus me time and efforts.
ReplyDeleteHere's what I did:
While I cross post to all the social media sites when I write on my blog, I've decided to only focus my time on one. I only follow new people if they interact with me (tag me on a post or comment on a post I've made) I've opted out of guest blogging (at least for now) and keep my own posts down to two or three times a month.
Some times downsizing and restricting your time on an activity helps you stay focused.
Is there any way you can combine your blogs and/or email addys? Otherwise, I'd try to allocate certain times on each. Maybe set a timer to keep you on track. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteYikes! I would try to pare down just the number of things you have going on! When you add real life into all the writing stuff sometimes it does get overwhelming. I liked someone's suggestion of yoga/meditation. Of course that has to get scheduled too...
ReplyDelete~AJ from Naturally Sweet
An April A-Z co-host
I get so overwhelmed so quickly that I absolutely MUST have simplification in my life. Lynard Skynard had it right. I'd pick your favorite blog/project/website and keep those. Everything else goes. Widdle down the excess and get to the marrow. :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely think single-genre writers have it easier. Much simpler to draw the path and follow it. I have multiple names, which can be a real challenge. It would also be simpler if I'd just FINISH stuff... I mean I finish first drafts, but nothing ever seems to be done enough to put out there... *sigh* I think I will simplify by giving up housekeeping...
ReplyDeleteSometimes all these multiple outlets are necessary so it comes down to how we manage them. For me, routines and schedules work well. I prioritize each of my goals then set of time toward them accordingly. It's less overwhelming that way.
ReplyDeleteI simplified my surroundings a couple years ago by getting rid of about half my "stuff" and I love it. As yet, I haven't found a way to translate that into my writing world. If you do, please share.
ReplyDeleteI like simple. The simpler the better. I tend to cut away or purge what bogs a project down. Mostly because I'd hate to sink with it. :-)
ReplyDeleteHere's my link if you'd like to drop by :-)
Anna from Shout with Emaginette
Hi, Donna, I'm going through this same problem right now only with social media. You can't take everyone's advice. You can't do it all at once, but you can do it all. The key is to do it one thing at a time and prioritize the things. Whether it's in your physical space or your digital one, get rid of the things you don't use, don't care about, and don't need. Focus on one or two things in a limited amount of time. For me, I can't possibly do tumblr, the blog, facebook, twitter, pinterest, etc all at once. So, I focus on one or two social media (facebook and twitter), blog maybe once a week, and let the rest slide. And when it comes to writing, I work on whatever project weighs heaviest in my head, whatever demands the loudest to be written. I make notes about any other projects I'd like to get to later, keep those notes in a file somewhere and refer to them when I take a break from the main project. It helps to ask yourself, "Is this what I really want to be doing?" Scheduling and personal deadlines are great things for me. Maybe they'll help you too. Good luck! I wish you peace and productivity!
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