January 25, 2010

It’s not so easy to put first things first. It’s not even easy to decide what should be first!

I want to write first in my day because so many writer bios of famous successful authors say that’s what they do. They stumble to their offices first thing, in their slippers and carrying coffee, to pound the keys for a couple of hours before breakfast. I’ve always wanted to write first.

Not Always Possible

For many years, early rising babies and children clamored for my attention first thing every morning, and let’s face it, hungry kids and soaked diapers won’t wait a couple of hours. Even after the kids were older and there was just the dog, he had to go outside very quickly every morning. Waiting two hours for that “first” would have also been disastrous.

So many things vie for first place in your day! Some health gurus say exercise first because you’ll never do it later, and it’s critical to your wellbeing and stamina. Others say eat a healthy breakfast first. Still others say you must journal first and dump whatever is bothering you where no one will ever see. If you’re an e-mail junkie, you may feel checking that must be first since something there might affect the course of your day. Your pastor will suggest that devotional time needs to be first or it will be pushed aside when you get busy. There are calls to make and showers to take. They all “need” to be first in your day before you lose control of your time.

Calgon, Take Me Away!

Enter Decidophopia. It’s a term I read in Carol Rottman’s writers in the Spirit. Here’s how she describes it: “Every morning from those early stirrings in bed of sluggish body and scattered mind, I must make some choices. What first? What next?…As I face my desk each day, I know I’ve got [Decidophopia]. I must decide, but I am afraid. To make one thing first pushes everything else lower on the list. My desk is usually covered with notebooks and loose paper in stacks-each one a ‘should.’”

Do you have Decidophopia? When my children were small, I didn’t have. There were few choices. The kids’ needs came first. The writing stuff came later-often much later when they were down for naps. Years down the road, when the kids were in school and then grown, Decidophopia set in. Suddenly I had some choices. Even with teaching part-time, I could schedule most of my days however I wanted.

Choices! Choices!

I learned fairly quickly that I love structure. “Going with the flow” every day just fed my Decidophopia and made it worse. Making that “what next?” decision every hour or so resulted too many times in cruising on out to the kitchen for a snack or reading e-mail. As boring as it may sound to many people, I now have a written list for my important daily stuff. I like order.

My devotional time comes first. My exercise comes next if the weather is decent enough-otherwise it comes at noon. My shower and healthy breakfast are next. And the writing comes next. (I use a timer, and every half hour I take a five-minute yoga break for my neck and back, followed by a short break away from the desk.) Then it’s back to writing for thirty minutes.

The writing periods in the morning are actual writing on a novel. The afternoon writing periods might be studying market guides or making submissions or doing a bit of online marketing. (I write these blogs on Saturday, load them on the blog to post without me on M-W-F mornings, and that allows me to stay off the Internet till afternoon.)

No One Right Way

What’s your routine like? Or do you have one? Are there so many “important firsts” vying for your attention each day that it’s hard to get started? Are you able to be flexible and “go with the flow,” or do you need more structure?

I love hearing how other writers work-we’re all so different and there’s certainly no “one right way.” Leave a comment about how you handle decidophopia!

9 Comments »

1. 

   I’ve been trying for the past year to “go with the flow”–with the result that I’ve accomplished very little. I’ve realized that I also need structure. If I give myself an inch (“I’ll just check my email quickly…”) I’ll take a mile (an hour and a half later, I’m still surfing the web, checking out new themes for my blog).

   Kristi, thank you so much for these posts about being disciplined. I struggle with it, but I know in the end it makes me a better writer!

   Comment by Christie — January 25, 2010 @ 9:40 am

2. 

   Interesting to read this today: I was just talking to my husband about this over coffee. I work part-time, but my schedule is not set. Some days I work from home, some days I go into the office. Other days, I don’t have any “job” work. I find that on my free days at home when I don’t have appointments, errands, or “job” work, I try to start my day off with my devotions. That shuts up the crowd in my head, always vying for attention. (This is after coffee with hubby, taking daughter to school, healthy breakfast and shower.)Next, I find a short business chore (paying a bill or making a phone call) helps me feel that I’ve been responsible, and I can now legally enjoy my writing time. Which I do. Mid-morning, I need a break. Usually a quick chore to get me away from my computer. Then it’s lunch, followed by reading for pleasure or for research, and maybe a 15-minute power nap. Then it’s time to get my daughter from school. *sigh* Anyway, that’s what works for me.

   Comment by Heather — January 25, 2010 @ 2:19 pm

3. 

   I am a creature of habit, so routines are a must.
   I’m a nightowl writer … kids, household chores and teaching take up the day, along with emailing and reading a few choice blogs

   Comment by Vijaya — January 25, 2010 @ 4:33 pm

4. 

   I know I need the structure. Today I was snowed in and so spent and unscheduled day at home. I decided to let myself, hubby & son sleep in then spent time playing with my son this morning. Since I knew I had work I needed to complete I made up my todo list over lunch & got started on it right after. The day has gone exactly to plan but I feel I have accomplished a fair bit and will complete my list tonight after my little is in bed. I make a todo list each day for the things I have control over so that I accomplish something during my day.

   Comment by Ally — January 25, 2010 @ 4:53 pm

5. 

   Wow, this is so where I’m at right now and have been for the past two months since getting off the corporate merry-go-round. I still don’t have a solution – seems like so many things clamor for my attention every day. These are some good thoughts about how to better order my day.

   Comment by Dianne — January 25, 2010 @ 7:17 pm

6. 

   I read my Bible right away in the morning before I even get out of bed or take a bath. That always puts my day in perspective. Then I get up, get the kids up, get ready, and away we go!

   Comment by Beth Mac — January 25, 2010 @ 9:37 pm

7. 

   I know how Christie feels. But on the same token, be careful not to over-schedule yourself.

   That’s been a problem for me. I setup a schedule so tight that I feel suffocated by all I have to do. That’s no way for ANYONE to live!

   I admit I have problems with staying on task with my writing projects as I get distracted by e-mail more than I used to. Plus,

   That said, I know make writing a priority in my day. Often annoying those around me who’d rather I’d spend the morning, “Looking like a million bucks.”

   This year I vowed to find a balance between too much free time and “Way too regimented.” Not easy, but there must be a balance, I’m sure of it.

   Comment by C.J. Rockwell — January 26, 2010 @ 12:10 pm

8. 

   Thanks for addressing a subject I struggle with daily and for confirming that structure doesn’t equate to a lack of imagination!

   Comment by Jackie Vick — January 26, 2010 @ 4:07 pm

9. 

   Boy, thanks for all the great ideas you’ve given me on this post! Lots of wisdom expressed here–and it goes to show that we have to adjust to our own styles and lifestyles. I operate best with some boundaries on myself–my time, my eating, my rest, my exercise. Then within the “time” segment, I have a list but give myself choices on when to do things, etc. Habit constricts some people. With me, it gives me freedom. We’re all different.

   Comment by Kristi Holl — January 27, 2010 @ 7:27 am

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