Just Do Something
By
Ideas for blog posts randomly pop into my mind. I can be getting ready to dose off to sleep and boom, there it is, the greatest blog post ever, right there in my head. Or I can be driving along or reading a book or having a conversation or even sitting in the lockeroom during halftime of a game (for real). Because of this, I have a few collection spots set aside to capture these ideas. The first is a list on my treo (soon to be iPhone I hope) and the second, a to-do item on my Macbook.
Over the course of the past week, that list has grown rather big. (And I actually need to add to it right now, because I have had 3 ideas come to mind in the last 15 minutes…all ideas for the greatest blog post ever.)
You would think this would be a good thing, right? Well, maybe for some people it is, but not necessarily for me. For I seem to be one of those people that do better with fewer options. For example, if my to-do list is too long, rather than simply pick something, I oftentimes ‘freeze’ (do nothing) or choose something to do that is the equivalent of nothing (like hit the ‘check mail’ on my email 50 times in a row). Does anyone else suffer from this nonsense? For my own sanity, I hope so.
I trust you see the connection between that example and my blogging. For as I sat down to blog today, I sat down to a plethora of ideas. And I froze. I procrastinated. And then I came up with this incredibly insightful post.
So what do I learn from all of this?
Simply this: when the list is long, I am best to simply choose something and do it.
Indeed, maybe I am wise to close my eyes, put my finger to the screen and blog whatever topic I end up closest to. Sure, I could sit back and review the list 10 times, reflect upon my present state of mind or upon what might win blog post of the year. But that would be goofiness and probably leave me more miserable in the end. Or it would end up making you read a post like this!
So I am resolved to learn the art of just doing something. Anything. The art of looking at my list and, rather than freezing, acting. Rather than over-thinking, just getting down to the business of doing or blogging. I have a feeling it is a habit worth perfecting.
5 Comments
April 27th, 2009 at 11:21 am
I’m a do-er. Generally, I move from one to the next. I usually end up weighing the time I have to write and research versus which blogs need posts (family versus mine versus basketwives versus mamasworldwide), and then pick a topic to run with. My general problem is ending sentences with prepositions (ha ha) and time to write. Ok, and writing too much. I LOVE TO WRITE! When Kevin is done playing, I would love to get my PhD and do research for the rest of my life. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE my job, but writing… I could do it forever!
April 27th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
You are definitely in an entirely different sphere than me Maria. Diversity of gifts and desires is such a beautiful thing, b/c when I hear Ph.D, I am more inclined to shoot a few extra jumpers. Indeed, I think I would be more inclined to do defensive drills alone!
Though I do share your love for writing. I did tell Erin, however, that you must be able to type 120 words per minute! That helps.
April 27th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Well, not 120, but I do type quickly. It drives Kevin a bit nuts, because I can look at him, talk with him, and keep typing at the same speed. LOL! I do not do it often, but when he interrupts my writing time, it does happen. Sadly, however, as fast as I can type, often times my mind moves faster than my fingers.
You sound a bit like my husband when I mention PhD. He cringes and says he is done. His idea of education beyond his bachelors is the certificates he wants in personal training and massage therapy. I think he would rather run twenty miles than go back to school… or defend a 7-1, 300# dude for an entire game.
If everyone had a PhD, it wouldn’t be as valuable, and there would be no basketball to entertain the masses. Could you imagine a world without GOOD music? Whew! Thank God for diversity!
April 28th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
I’m not totally anti-school. Might want to go back for a few things. I’m just not jumping at the chance to do so. Erin is more like you. She loves the school setting. Don’t think I will go for the Ph.D. though!
April 28th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Well, my husband was homeschooled from grade three through high school, so I give him a pass. Plus, he likes to read, by like Erin, I like the classroom. I especially enjoy the opportunity to dis use and explore ideas in a group setting, where everything is challenged and solidified.