Life is good

[pbray]

Wrote this morning and then biked, accomplishing both my goals for the day.

I got a later start biking than I wanted, so it was fairly hot, but I did complete the route and never dropped into granny gear on the hills, which means I'm stronger than I thought. Though it wasn't easy--there was one spot when I was flagging and gave myself a pep talk. "It's not that hard, you shouldn't be this tired. Think about it, this is only 10% of the ride you'll be doing in July."

Immediately I felt depressed. Less than 10%? I'd never make it. So I rapidly switched mental gears. I stopped thinking about the July cancer ride. Instead I told myself, "Hey, you're just over 50% of the way through today's ride."

Bingo. Instant motivation. I was halfway there, and I knew I could push through it.

I use a similar approach in my writing. I don't sit down to write a novel, which is an overwhelming task. I've learned to break my writing into manageable goals: today I will write a chapter. A scene. Three manuscript pages to meet my commitment for novel_in_90. Whatever I need at the time, I set achievable goals, with realistic milestones.

Would I like to have written more? Yes, but I managed my 750 words for today which is good enough for the win.

Comments

[jjschwabach.livejournal.com]

So how far are you riding in July?

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Depending on weather and my companions, we're shooting for the 50 mile ride.

If for some reason that's not achievable, then we'll do the 25 mile route instead.

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

Yay for writing! Yay for biking! Ooh, I miss biking.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Perhaps there will be opportunities to bike now that you're out of the city?

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

Maybe. It's less hilly around here, which may translate to less suicidal. We'l see!

[zornhau.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my outlining works like that, but more granular.

[jjschwabach.livejournal.com]

50 miles is a good, hefty ride... Especially if you're going to hire a kid to tow along as a typist ;-).