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“Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work.” ~Peter Drucker (1909-2005), writer
I start Monday with lots of plans for the week. Some of them end up being nothing more than good intentions by the time Friday rolls around.
And, yeah, that’s frustrating.
Sometimes legitimate interruptions derail my plans.
And sometimes I derail my plans. I just get . . . distracted. By things that seem worthwhile at the time. Like all that social media stuff I’m supposed to be doing. Or by the other stuff it’s easier to do than buckling down and writing that rough draft that’s been postponed all summer long because of a wildfire. And a computer crash. And a wedding. And, well, life.
Sometimes I need to do what needs to be done so that plans become accomplishments. And the reality is that takes work. Not excuses. Work.
So, it’s Monday. I’ve got work today — specifically, I’ve got two chapters to finish writing. What have you got planned?
In Your Words: Got any plans for today? For the week? I’d love to hear about them.
Comments 20
Beth, I’m sure you’ve heard of the old adage: Man plans, God laughs. Well, I’m not sure I want to believe that God gets a kick out of my plans turn sour (not to demand attention here, but this weekend is a great example–I wanted to get more writing done but my herniated neck discs crashed the party) but life has taught me that plans are simply a guidelines for us. Life does happen. We need to be very flexible and truly go with the flow. I hope your plans for this week come into fruition.
Elaine — Agreed.
I believe in flexibility — but too much of it means nothing gets accomplished. So that whole “balance” thing comes into play.
So sorry to hear about your herniated discs. You are in my prayers.
Though my chaps. 1 & 2 are fairly rough on my new WIP, I’m writing chap 3 and glad to be–seeing how much I can get done well before ACFW & appreciating God’s inspiration & help.
Forward motion. Sounds like a plan!
Last two days of summer so my plan is to spend QT with kiddos. Start new novel on Wed. Woot!
Love that, Wendy. Would love to hear more about your novel.
🙂
I have 16 chapters to write. And what I reallllllllly want to do is…..keep hitting those periods. but that won’t get the next chapter written. What will is the plot board from this year’s DT. You know, writing is hard work. 🙂
I do know, Pat. I do, I do.
Plans? I always have plans. Please note I didn’t say I accomplish them all. 🙂 Today includes, going for a walk, pricing things for an upcoming consignment sale and revising some chapters for ACFW. Let’s not forget to mention getting the kids to karate later today and trying to be a patient mom. That one is the challenge today.
I hope you get your chapters written. 🙂
Real life and writing life … always the challenge.
And so worthwhile!
My plans…I’m working 12 hours at my day job today. That’s my plan. My goal: Don’t cry. Hahaha!
Handing out tissue, M-Tagg!
Or a shoulder to cry on, if needed.
At this point I’m too tired to think about it (yes, I know it’s only Monday morning – LOL). But somehow with God’s help I’ll get the necessary things done. Hope you all have a great week!
Hope you have a great week, too, Kathy — and that it only gets better from here on out!
You’ve ruined everything. I had a few distractions in mind (as usual), but since you’ve set me straight …
I’m pitching several ideas to the children’s magazine that’s been on my desk since last week, and submitting a devotional to another publication for consideration.
Thanks for the nudge to work. I needed it.
Keep me posted on those pitches, okay?
😉
Oh my, I’m such a planner, and beat myself up (not literally…don’t worry) if I don’t get everything on my list checked off.
Today I have to write 2,000 words for my new wip. In fact, my goal is to have the thing drafted by the end of October. So that means basically I have to write 10,000 words a week from now until then…which turns out to be about 2,000 words for five days of every week. Lots that could get in my way, but I really just want the words on the page!! Then I can start revising… 😛
I’m just trying to figure out: What is my plan? Smile.
Plans are a good thing. They keep us moving forward. I’ve learned to hold my plans loosely. Holding them in my hand with only my fingertips touching rather than clenched fists lets God in and out and turns out less discombulating when they change. Because they always do. 🙂
Hi Beth,
I so relate, especially to the self-imposed derailment. I’m always hopping down bunny trails…. Sometimes, though, it’s not so bad, because I’ve discovered that God knows exactly where those rabbit trails lead and He often meets me there with nuggets of truth.
Today I had a post planned about focusing on God so as not to lose direction and purpose, but over the weekend I attended a friend’s father’s funeral and ended up writing about that instead. It was a much better post, I have to admit, at least for today.
Blessings,
Becky