Time

[temporus]

Originally, this post was going to be a question about how to achieve one of Steve's listed commandments. This would be:

The Sixth Commandment: Thou shalt read 10 X as much as you write.

In general I'm finding the advice of the commandments useful, even though getting to stage wherein which I can implement the advice is proving challenging. This one, however somehow seems insurmountable to me. I have three challenges in this regards.

1) I am a fairly slow reader. I don't know why, but I always have been a slow reader. Most people I know read faster than I do, even family members.

2) Time. I am barely finding enough time in my schedule to write. I think a lot of this has to do with poor planning on my part, because I think I don't have a well organized day. So that I should be able to get enough done (including family time, full time job, etc) but somewhere, there are portions of time that seem to disappear on me, and I end up with both less writing time than I think I should be spending, and no time to read.

3) Energy. This is always a tough one, I know I have a lot to work here. By the time I hit the bed, I'll pick up a book, then after only a few pages I'm too tired, and down goes the book, and I got to sleep.

Weekends almost always end up being "recovery" from the work week, which seems hectic, as well as whatever chores, etc, that need happening, extended family time (visiting with parents etc), socializing time (friends, church, etc) and, catchall for everything I should be doing more of during the week, but not managing to accomplish.

I'm at a loss as to how to even begin to achieve this goal.

Ed

[Steven Barnes]

Ed:

Begin by clearly defining what you want. CLEARLY. Write it down. It seems to me that, basically, you need:

1) Better Time Management
2) More Energy
3) Faster reading

Allright, all of these are doable. Here are specific resources or ideas.

1) Time management. A skill. Read a book such as "How to get control of your time and your life" by Alan Lakein. Or here's one of his ideas: at the end of every day, list the activities needed to have a perfect day. Divide them up into "A" "B" and "C" categories. Thats: At once, By the end of the day, or Can wait until tomorrow. (Get that" A, B, C? Knew you would.) Do all of the "A's" before you move to the Bs or Cs.
2) Energy is dependant on focus and clarity (mental factors) as well as physical factors like diet, rest, exercise. There are exercise systems that require less than an hour a WEEK, so don't lie and say you have no time.
3) There are courses in faster reading. Take one. They work.

Good luck!

[temporus]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the advice, I take your words to heart. I'm outside my normal routine this week, so my on-line time has been sparse, and I didn't get the chance to respond earlier. There's definitely work to be done, and I like the no BS way you prevented me from wheedling one way or another around the issue. I am doing some thinking about how to take on each issue. I just wanted to give a quick note of thanks.

Ed