Versus The Mindset of “It’s just what I do!”
So far 2021 has been “not so scheduled, not so routine, and not so… to-do-ey”.
I haven’t missed work, I’ve been meeting my writing deadlines, I’ve been chipping away at some mechanical jobs in my garage… and started my next book.
But I “feel” NON-PRODUCTIVE for some reason.
I “feel” I could do more… or better… “if I could just get on a good schedule, or adjust my routine, or use a daily to-do list to move forward”.
I’m confident at my day job now. And I know… that I know… because I’ve been able to train others on my duties, and am able to explain the process.
I’m confident with my writing now because I can sit down and crank out a 600 – 1200 word article… over a couple cups of coffee… and ALSO NOW… I can “feel” that it’s 7:00 O’clock PM… TIME TO WRITE… it’s becoming a “habit”.
So now I “feel” like I have some time, during the day, for ONE MORE endeavor… I gotta get outside more, and so I started working on those garage jobs on a more CONSISTENT basis.
Working in the garage has me contemplating the idea of focusing on small engines, lawn mowers for a starter, as a possible, part time, revenue stream. I’ve been able to fix some stuff recently by actually repairing the old part, instead of just throwing cheap new parts at it… talking with some people, other men about it, individually they each said the same thing, “Sounds like a good niche, nobody does that anymore, can you get the parts you need?”
So far I’ve been able to, along with some “universal” parts, like O-rings, that you need to make a few low cost, and correct repairs.
Maybe I’m “feeling” the NEWNESS of this part of my life??
It “feels” the same as, when starting a new job, or a new book… there is a certain time frame that encompasses “figuring out… where everything goes”.
That… as I think it through… could be it.
If I step back a bit, and look at ALL OF MY TIME… the current components of the “day job”, “the author”, and “the grandpa”, ARE SET… and the new garage idea is a new “work” component that has to find it’s place???
I’m shooting for mornings…
with a heavy … ish … on what you might consider as “morning”.
I’ve been setting the alarm for 9:00 am… hey, I work nights, cut me a little slack.
And life… that jumps up and bites ya every now and then.
And that granddaughter… she’s my Queen of Clubs… when she shows up… she trumps whatever I think I have scheduled!
I’m led to think of that verse in Joshua, when the Israelite’s are about to enter the promised land.
God says, “I won’t give it to you all at once… when you have increased enough… I’ll have you take it over… little by little… but you need to increase first.” That’s paraphrased of course, but you get the point.
I’m really leaning on that “little by little” phrase.
Step by step… means just that… step… by… step.
First thing first, next thing next, assess, apply the principle… today… then repeat, but just on the next step.
Psalm 119 says, “Your word is a lamp unto my feet, a light… unto my path.”
I’ve walked through the dark, while hunting, using just a small flashlight to light my way, you gotta go a step at a time…
this phase I’m in now…
“FEELS” just like that.
Leave a Reply