As I mentioned yesterday, my productivity slumped after Wisp’s leg injury and never quite recovered.
Reflecting on it, I think it’s my ability to structure my day effectively that’s dissolved (cue symbolic representation of dissolution below).
When I get up early I get distracted and don’t use my time effectively. I’m running out of steam before the end of the week. And my insomnia seems to have cranked up a notch which makes everything worse. I suppose it could be age or some unresolved health issue but I think it’s more losing my mental game than anything.
For instance, even though it appears I’ve adjusted to the new Wisp-friendly schedule, not having ninety minutes to myself this morning does make it harder to get my head in the game. It also means my exercise/yoga/stretching routines are left up to the whims of the day; if I wind up watching over the dogs more than expected, the exercise may not happen. I wonder if that’s affecting my state of mind too.
Also my evenings have become a little more hectic for various reasons and that means less time to sit calmly and read. I can feel that gnawing at me.
I suspect it’s multiple little things like that chipping away at my structured day. Never perfectly structured: it’s simply not possible with three pets and one human being sharing space with me. Which is not a complaint; as I’ve said before, it’s easier to manage my time in isolation but I don’t want isolation. I simply have to adjust.
I also have to stick to the structure I set for myself. I’m finding it easier to just let things slide and ignore the plan I mapped out for the day. That’s definitely got to stop.
I think it will be easier at least for the first month — however arbitrary, the calendar telling me that the old year and its burdens are wiped away is a big help.
Beyond that, of course, I have some specific goals. 240,000 words of fiction. Self-publish Southern Discomfort and my Doc Savage history Savage Adventures. Finish two drafts of Let No Man Put Asunder and send it out for beta reading. Set up a website for my Behold the Book publishing imprint rather than just the page here. Empty my TBR shelf (doable — it’s not that huge). Improve my health (also doable). Contribute what I can to the fight against American fascism. More social stuff. Enjoy being married (very doable). Relax and don’t over-stress myself. That’s never productive.
Last year setting general year goals and specific month goals worked well. Hopefully it will for 2024.
Happy New Year y’all.
#SFWApro. Blackhawk cover by Dick Dillin, Doc Savage by John Buscema.
