It is 3 PM on a glorious spring day in Portland. My cat's in the window making that weird clicking-in-the-back-of-the-throat sound that kitties make when they see birds or squirrels. It's spring break, so every normal human is outside enjoying themselves.
Except me.
I'm sitting at my desk, near where Captain is making odd cat noises. There's a nice breeze blowing in the window, but it is not the same thing as being outside, enjoying the day, taking a hike, hanging out in the park, sitting on the deck at the local pub, raising a glass.
So why don't I just quite whining and go do something?
Because I have a blog post to write.
I made a commitment to myself to write a blog post every day until further notice or some other unforeseen event makes it impossible. I wanted to see if this would help my traffic (it has) and also lay the groundwork for some upcoming things like an ebook release and some day, the publication of my novel. Also, because, um, I love writing these here posts and most days it is so much fun I can't believe I get paid for it.
But some days it is 3 o'clock in the afternoon and I haven't blogged yet and I'd rather be doing anything than sitting at my computer wondering what to write. But here I am. And guess what? This is what commitment looks like. And commitment is what creates abundant writing careers.
And so here I sit until the blog post gets done. And, amazingly, now it is. And sitting here doing it reminds me, again, that this is what commitment is all about.
How about you? What are you committed to? How does that look in your life?
Don
Like you, I promised to do the same,post a post, long or short, once a day, each and every day and so far, after some 760 posts, I’ve kept my word!
I started posting because my doctor said it would help me fight my extreme-fatigue that I suffer from and caused by a genetic liver condition. The hope is that it will eventually help me to get back to writing children’s material. So far, I can honestly say it seems to be working – I’m getting a little better, but it was and is not easy, and that goes especially in the early days of my condition. Writing each and every day is a big help, as is, of course, having your helpful ‘WordTrumpet writing blog to help me along the way as well!
Oh, by the way, that’s a pretty MacBook Pro you have there. I wwas ondering if Captain, the kitty, loves to sleep on it just like a certain kitty that I’ve seen who loves to do the same on their owner’s nice, cosy, warm MacBook Pro? Kitties love to sleep on warm things, MacBooks included. Ah kitties, they make for lousy typists, but oh do they love to lap it up on an expensive laptop!
Derek
I take commitment very seriously. In fact as a therapist, I feel very strongly about it and it’s the first thing I establish with a new client because if they are not committed to do what is necessary to make changes in their life, it isn’t going to work.
With my self, as a Zen practitioner I would say I am very cautious about saying what I am going to do, because if I say it, I will see it through. If I write it in my appointment book, I will see it through. Through not taking care with this in the past, I have found myself outside in heavy rain clearing the garden! So I take care now! :-)
Commitment works, there’s no doubt about it. It can be liberating too, because if I don’t carry out what needs to be done, I am left arguing with myself that I have not made any headway on that day.
DYoung
I probably would have taken 30 or 40 minutes and gone outside. If I’m sitting at the computer, and agonizing over a project, assignment, or task….and would rather be out of doors, I’ll go. But only briefly. Just enough to satisfy the hunger for the fresh air. Typically, once I sit back down I am rejuvenated enough to successfully complete what I started!
Jessica
I’m committed to leaving for my holiday in one week’s time…and that commitment doesn’t look pretty at the moment. My room’s a mess, my life is even messier. I’m in survival mode. ‘If I don’t do this, will my life be forever altered?’ If the answer is no, then it doesn’t get done.
The really sad thing is that’s including writing at the moment! Sob. But as soon as I’m on that plane, my notebook’s coming out and I’m going for it like there’s not tomorrow. I.just.have.to.get.there!
Angela Artemis
Charlotte, I so admire your commitment! I’m committed to posting twice a week – for starters. If and when I’m able to leave my full time employment behind I’ll consider posting 5x per week. For now, it has to be good enough and I’m not going to beat myself up. I’ve taken your advice from an earlier post to do what I can and be happy with that. Thanks to you I’ve been exercising every day – due to that post.
Charlotte Dixon
I just want to point out that comments like these are why I blog. You guys are the best, thank you for coming back every day and being loyal readers!
Don, I wondered if anybody would recognize my MacBook Pro and of course it would be you! Wow, 760 posts, never missing a day–you’ve got me beat as I used to be much more sporadic with my posts. Captain would love to sleep on my laptop but I shoo him off because I’m always trying to use it!
Derek, I love your take on commitment. You and I have discussed it privately and I always appreciate your view. Since I am now going through hypnotherapy here in the states, I understand it even better–the program works if you work the program and to do that, there must be a commitment.
Jessica, I’m so excited for you. Please, please, please blog while you are away! And I hope you’ll have time to drop in once in awhile while you are gone.
D’Young, you make a really good point–that sometimes it is a good idea to take a break and enjoy the sunshine, which then enables you to return to the computer refreshed.
Angela, Thank you, my commitment is sometimes hard-won. As a full-time writer, my hours are my own and that makes it much easier to post every day. I think you posting twice a week is great! And I can’t tell you how good it makes me feel that one of my posts was so inspiring to you!