The Road to Good Intentions

Everyone has good intentions...at least that is what we would like to believe, especially in ourselves. Here's the problem. We get so caught up in everyday life, the road to those good intentions gets muddied up and we get stuck.So what's a busy working woman to do?

Make lists! Lots of them. I am starting to live by lists because this is the only way I can get anything done. As I finish something, I cross it off the list and go on to the next project. And believe me, I have a lot of projects.

If this is too overwhelming for you, especially if you're like me and have a full-time job, then do just one thing a day. It doesn't matter what it is, just pick one thing and get it done. It could be washing the dirty dishes (this is for those of you who don't use a dishwasher like myself), putting away the clean dishes that have been left out to dry (also like myself), take out a couple of bags of garbage/recycling (did that this morning because I swear I generate more garbage/recycling than is humanly possible), go through a single stack of papers or any number of other things.

Lay off the Facebook! Yes, I will admit, this is my downfall because once I get on, it's really hard to get off. Now I don't just use Facebook to just read about everybody's day. I actually use it for good, like promote my writing, my blog (which has now grown to this full blown website even though it's hosted by Blogger) and to look for inspiration to continue with my work. This all takes time and once I get on, it is really hard to get off and get back to the business of writing again.

Commit to a schedule. I know it's hard, but keeping a schedule, for whatever its worth, is going to be difficult. Let's face it, we spend the better part of our day getting interrupted or what have you and before you know it, the day is over and you didn't even get to the first thing that was on your schedule. It will take time to get into a rhythm, but start out slow and pace yourself. Maybe only have one or two things on the schedule and then keep the rest of the time open for other things. Just make sure that when the time comes to do what you have on that schedule, then sit down and do it.

Make an effort. It's so easy to say, "I'll do it later." Then later shows up and you never do it. The worst part is that it then becomes the "Eleventh Hour" and you end up scrambling to get it done and you could have made it so much easier on yourself if you had just started it sooner. You're not asking the world of yourself, just to make a earnest attempt to start something before it absolutely has to get done. You'll feel a whole lot better with yourself and actually save yourself time in the long run.

Don't make promises you can't keep. This is probably the biggest enemy of "Good Intentions". You and only you know what you are capable of doing. If you have a super busy schedule with work, kids, a husband, then it doesn't make sense to over-commit yourself to things that "sound good", perhaps are "super easy" to get done, or "won't take that long to do". The reality is that while what ever it is that "sounds good", always ends up being "really difficult" to get done, and takes "a really long time" to accomplish. Don't set yourself up for failure. Only make a promise if you can truly fulfill it without turning your whole world upside down to get it done.

I remember a song from group of musicians who are currently celebrating 30 years in the industry. The song starts out,

The road I have travelled on Is paved with good intentions It's littered with broken dreams That never quite came true

Source: http://lyrics-a-plenty.com/w/when_she_cries.lyrics.php

The road I have travelled on Is paved with good intentions It's littered with broken dreams That never quite came true

Source: http://lyrics-a-plenty.com/w/when_she_cries.lyrics.php

"The road I have traveled on

is paved with good intentions.

It's littered with broken dreams

that never quite came true."

I don't want to be on that road. I want to be on the one where I made those dreams come true. Having good intentions is more than just wanting something, you have to make it happen. It's hard work and sometimes it won't come easy. There will be potholes, muddy puddles and all sorts of debris in the way. It's really easy to just pull off the road and shut off the motor. But as sure as I am sitting here and writing this, taking an extended pit stop won't get me to where I want or need to be. Don't get me wrong! It's okay to take a quick pit stop once in awhile, but just like the race car drivers at Indy or Charlotte Motor Speedway, those pit stops are generally short and to the point.

So let's make the most of the precious time that we have so we can get back to the things that are really important in life. Make the road to good intentions filled with dreams that really do come true!

 

The road I have travelled on Is paved with good intentions It's littered with broken dreams That never quite came true

Source: http://lyrics-a-plenty.com/w/when_she_cries.lyrics.php

Wishing you moments to enjoy the road of good intentions!
 

Like anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!