Keeping Yourself On Track

It’s almost 11:00 PM on Saturday. Sadly, no writing to report besides what I’m capturing now. Similar to my last three-day break in writing,  I’ve been edgy all day today.

By rights, I should be okay with that. My wife is in a period of heavy commitment between working at her new business and the opening of her show, “The Marvelous Wonderettes“, and I’m on deck as Mr. Mom. I’m happy in this role- although there are moments that I think my two youngest sons (ages 3 and 5) are actively scheming against me, this is a role that resonates within me. I take deep satisfaction in the moments in which I feel that I’m getting it done. There are not a lot of thoughts that I take more pride in that those that tell me- you’re a good Dad- you’re getting it right.

So today was a Dad-centric day. I’m good with that. That works for me.

The only problem is- I didn’t write today. It’s been in the back of my mind today. I haven’t forgotten about it but I haven’t cleared out time today to write. No excuses- but a fair acknowledgement that I didn’t spend any time writing today.

So this got me thinking about motivation this evening. The decision to make a change in your life is a powerful one- but it’s not the last choice you have to make. The commitment to put in work towards this change requires sustained focus. It’s not a “once and done” kind of choice. Like any real change, this requires continued effort over a period of time- not just a few days.

Tonight, I added a single sentence to the newer story idea that last consumed my focus. On top of that, I’ve gave some attention to this earlier story idea (the one that I’ve shared with my brother Matt). I intend to to put in time tomorrow working on that.

If you don’t hear me reporting in with progress tomorrow, please call me on that! If you’re reading this with me, then hopefully the documentation of this change within me is clicking with you. I hope that you take something useful from my writing. Please share!

But ask yourself this- how can you set up a mechanism to keep yourself on track? If your focus begins to fade, what can you do to keep yourself on track?