Let’s review.
The year 2011 is not, for me, just a forty-fifth run through the Roman Calendar: another year of commemorating birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and family traditions. No, for me, 2011 is also the Year of the Book.
It is the year I am committed to sitting in front of my computer and finally putting on paper all the thoughts and ideas that, for years, I have dreamed about sharing. So committed am I to this process that, longstanding readers know, effective January 1, I even quit my job.
It sounds drastic, I know. But I have young children and finding the “free” time to write a book, while remaining pleasant and sane, seemed untenable for someone so intent on accomplishing her goal. Instead I left my job and committed to two things. First, spend a minimum of two hours, Monday through Friday, working on my book. Second, spend the rest of my workday growing other professional opportunities and writing our daily post for the House of Shine.
The plan seems realistic, well thought out, and reflective of someone who is serious about on attaining her goal, no?
Let’s review.
The new year started on a Saturday. No problem, I’ll jump in first thing Monday morning.
Monday, January 3 and Tuesday, January 4. Matthew’s school is closed. This week only three days of writing.
Saturday, January 8. I left for eight straight days of Leadershape. No writing that week, but lots of professional development.
Monday, January 17. Martin Luther King Day. No school for Matthew and another day of writing lost.
Monday, January 24 – Friday, January 28. Twenty-four days into my Year of the Book and finally I enjoy my first full week of work.
Tuesday, February 1, and 2, 3, 4. Snow and ice in Texas closes the schools for four straight days, automatically turning all moms into stay-at-home-moms.
Monday, February 7 started an abbreviated week of work. Flights to Florida disrupted my schedule on Thursday and Friday was spent signing papers not writing pages. As it turns out, Wednesday, February 9 was another snow day, so my five-day work week turned into only two days.
Monday, February 14. We returned from Florida mid-day and another morning of writing is lost.
Today. Monday, February 21. Presidents Day. No school. Another day of work bites the dust.
In the event you are keeping track, that means in the eight weeks since the new year started, I have had ONE full week of work.
I am not complaining or making excuses.
I am simply reiterating why, when we name our year, it is essential that we be realistic and focused.
Shining off until tomorrow...