Friday, July 27, 2012

Routines-Does Everyone Need Them?

First off,  I want to thank everyone who responded here, via Face Book, email, or twitter to my crisis post from last week. You all came up with some great ideas and it was wonderful to feel the “writer” love out there.

I’m still in recovery it seems, I have had some ideas kicking around, but not up to diving in yet (soon though!). Because of that I sort of feel like it just wouldn’t fit for me to launch a blog post about some aspect or craft of writing while I’m still getting my feet back under me.

So today I thought I’d take about something I can relate to- having a routine. I’ve noticed that when I have a regular routine for any activity it radically increases the likelihood of my continuing that activity. For instance, working out, housework, or...writing. Along with the writing issues, I’ve fallen off the working out routine due to assorted injuries and getting back on it is proving difficult to say the least. I’m sure this lack of routine in that part of my life is impacting everything else- including contributing to my DOA writing situation.
When I have a pattern or routine in place, I follow through simply because "that's what I do".  But when I fall out of that routine, I have a really hard time even completing basic goals. I realize that if I want my writer's mojo (and my working out mojo ;)) to come back, I need to reestablish a routine.

This also makes me wonder about other writer’s routines- both stay at home writers, and those like me with a full-time day job. Do you have a routine? Why or why not? Would you mind sharing it? What have you found that works great for keeping you on track? What great concept to do the same crashed and burned?

Thanks for coming by and extra thanks for sharing your routines with us here :).

8 comments:

  1. I am SO with you there...I am really lacking in self discipline so when I get out of the habit of doing things (like my water aerobics class) it is really hard for me to get motivated back into the routine again when it is so easy to justify to myself just staying home and doing nothing....sigh....:) Dabee/Deb

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    1. Thanks for commenting Dabee :). Sigh- maybe we can nag each other back into our routines!

      Take care and thanks for coming by!

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  2. I'm not much on routine. I'm a bit of a 'how the wind blows' type. Of course, when I was in the workforce I had to have a routine but now... And I'll admit to some extent it gets in the way and I really need to set myself goals and deadlines to get my mojo going.

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    1. Thanks Greta, it's great to see folks who function well without a set routine :). I think it actually takes a lot more determination to do that, and I admire you BIG TIME!

      Thanks for coming by!

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  3. Hi Marie,

    I need to get back into a regular routine. Right now, there's too much other stuff going on, but when I sit down to write, I like to revisit my website/blog (which I have yet to debut). It provides a sense of accomplishment, self-direction, and ultimately motivates me to live up to my image or persona.

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    1. Thanks for coming by Vonnie! I was wondering if you got your blog up yet :). That's a good idea to have something that motivates you to get back on the bandwagon!

      Thanks for commenting!

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  4. No, Marie, I haven't debuted my blog/website yet. I'm revising my blog title. As soon as I do go public, I'll let you know. Meanwhile, I'm on Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Linkedin. I think I'm following you on some of those sites if not all of them.

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