For those of you who have been following my blog for the last few weeks, you’ve heard me mention Elizabeth Gilbert’s term, “the song of the disciplined halfass.”
That section of her book, BIG MAGIC, really spoke to me. Not that I consider myself half-ass. In this case, she’s referring to half-assery as an alternative to perfectionism. As I’ve grown older, I have let go of my quest for perfectionism. I believe it’s corrosive to one’s psyche.
That’s not to say that I don’t get tied up in it every once in a while. I’m not perfect, after all. But, I recognize it for the trap it is, and I try to dial my expectations down to a more reasonable level. Because, let’s face it, the quest for perfectionism can make a person even more imperfect than they already are. Or worse, it can stop them in their tracks.
And this train is not stopping.
I am a disciplined person. First, let me say that my brand of discipline has minimal leather (way too hot) and no actual flogging (only mental self-flagellation). I think of it more in tune with the line from David Bowie’s MODERN LOVE. “I know when to go out. And when to stay in – get things done.”
This week has been a test of that discipline.
First, it was an extremely busy week at the day job. And hot as Hades out there.
The increased in pace and soul-sucking heat meant I came home pretty wrung-out, and basically not ready to think really hard about anything. A detrimental state of mind to an author whose writing is pretty much a full-time night job.
Remember how I mentioned before that this would be my summer of revisions? Well the heat is on, both outside and in.
In the last ten days, I received full editorial revisions on one manuscript, as well as copyedits on two others. I knew they were coming, but…EEEP! All this, while trying to complete my work in progress in the month of July.
This is where my Dragon, Desdemona, swooped in to rescue me. Because I have been doggedly limping along with this dictation software, I’ve been able to keep pace with my work in progress in the midst of all this editorial madness. Here’s how:
I dictate on my way to work in the morning, edit my transcribed words first thing in the evening, and add them to my work in progress before moving on to the my editorial work.
So, both rounds of copyedits will have been turned in by the time you read this, I am knee-deep in revision on the other manuscript, and I added a total of 9,874 words to my work in progress over the course of the week.
I’ve also watched a couple episodes of LAST CHANCE U on Netflix. In reading the new Sarah MacLean book. So, you see this job is when to be disciplined, and knowing when to be a half-ass.
Is there anything you’ve learned to let go of lately? Anything you’ve added to your repertoire to make achieving your goals more reasonable? Anyone else googling the video for MODERN LOVE right now? Here, let me make it easy for you. Enjoy, and have a good week! https://youtu.be/1hDbpF4Mvkw
I’ve let go a lot of anger. Not that I was angry at any one person but I seem to let things not form Mt Everest anymore. Really evaluate if it is a big deal or not. In 6 months, will this still be a big deal? If so, time to work at it. If not, I have to let it breeze and take in stride. Except ants. If I see those little bastards, they are still dead. Dead I tell you. Dead.
*giggles* 😀
You’re not perfect? Break my heart, why don’t you! Maybe I need to let go of unrealistic visions of my idols.
I wish I had a tenth of your discipline when it comes to writing. I have a feeling this upcoming conference will give me the kick in the butt I need to finally achieve some goals. Keep being awesome, Maggie!
I hope you have a blast! I’ll be participating in #notRWA17 on Twitter this weekend. 🙂
I saw that! Hope it goes well for you!