Wednesday, 27 April 2011

All or Nothing Thinking


When I haven’t updated my blog for a long time, you can bet your bottom dollar it’s either because I’ve been busy writing something else or because apathy has set in again. I have bouts when I lack motivation to do anything other than read, run and get through the domestic necessities. 
I had a bout of serious writing until the children broke up for Easter, then it all went out of the window, despite my best intentions. I spent most of last week in the gorgeous Lincolnshire Fens with my daughter, staying with my favourite aunt. I took my notebook, but didn’t write a thing. I blame the wine my aunt plied me with! I then got into holiday mode and found it difficult to get out of again. I did, however, do two lovely runs down the Fens.
I’ve discovered that one of the problems I have is prioritising. I don’t think I shall ever overcome this. Do I prioritise different things on different days? Should I just go with the flow and see where this takes me? 
I was doing very well with my list making, but let it lapse and stopped making those lists. Having a task list each day was an excellent motivator for me, but I think the long list of tasks became too overwhelming and I gave up.
I’m very much an all-or-nothing person and this goes for practically every aspect of my life. I’m not very good at chipping away at things, a little bit at a time. I either have to go great guns or not bother at all. 
My one regret is that I don’t prioritise my writing. I’m not sure why I don’t do this. Once I get started, I love it and find it difficult to stop, but it’s getting started that is so very difficult! 
Even my ‘write for 15 minutes as soon as I get up’ has gone by the board.
Oh dear, this is a negative post! 
On a more positive note, then, I’m pleased that today I have done some gardening for the first time this year (shocking, I know!), have completed a 3 mile run and have written this blog. Will that do for now?