By Michelle Griep, @MichelleGriep
If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a bajillion times . . .
“I want to write a book but it will have to wait until I have more time.”
To which I reply . . .
“Horse hockey.”
Here’s the deal — none of us is guaranteed another day, so you’ve got to use the day you’ve been given. Here. Now. Do you really want to write a book? Then do it. And here are some practical ways to help you achieve that dream.
Say no.
Just because you can say yes doesn’t mean you should say yes. If you have a goal you want to reach, you’ll have to say no to other time-eaters to achieve that goal.
Ditch perfection.
Perfectionism is a time waster because — listen closely — you’ll NEVER achieve perfection. Instead, shoot for the best job possible and leave it at that.
Set a deadline.
Give yourself a certain amount of time to accomplish what it is you want to do, then subtract a few days. That puts the pressure on and ramps up the urgency of your task.
Schedule downtime.
If your “on” switch is flipped up all the time, you’ll drain your creative energy. It’s important to step back and veg out every now and then.
Delegation is mandatory.
Newsflash: You are not Superman. Someone else can wash the dishes, or change the oil, or take Fido for a walk. Yes, even if you live alone. Hire things out, or if cash is a stretch, barter.
Create a plan.
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Yeah, a little shmarmy, but oh-so-true. If you want to accomplish a big task, map it out into smaller chunks. You’ll feel more successful on your way to success.
Sleep.
Sleep seems like a time waster to some and is often the first thing to get cut. Don’t. Sleep is when you recharge, and creativity takes a lot of energy.
Pour yourself a cuppa, get lost in the merriment of the season, and enjoy a Dickensian Christmas in three stories from fan favorite Michelle Griep.
Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the author of historical romances: The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, and A Heart Deceived, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan. If you’d like to keep up with her escapades, find her at www.michellegriep.com or stalk her on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.