So how’m I doing in my quest to re-invent my life, follow my evolving Blisses and create the life I really, really want?
Here’s the thing: I’m cranky and tired, because I’ve been packing for tomorrow’s To Life street festival, and if there’s one thing I hate, it’s packing.
And honestly, I’ve been telling myself for years that I’ll never do another street festival, because in my experience they’re a helluva lot of work for not much payoff.
But, the van’s loaded, and I’m about to head out for some food, and – hot damn! – it’s only 7:00pm. In the scheme of things (in which still packing at midnight is not unheard of, the night before a street fair), that’s not just good, it’s amazing!
And I’m excited to show my new “Sandbox” Art, Irresistible Yogini and Irresistible Woman fine art prints and cards. And even if the street fair is a total flop, life is good.
I made some important revelations this week. One of which being that following what I have come to call my Ideal Daily Template is kinda crucial for optimal happiness.
And another of which being that even if I don’t manage to follow my Ideal Daily Template all the time, as long as I have an Ideal Daily Template to shoot for, it’s all good.
What’s an Ideal Daily Template? Watch the video, where all is revealed.
Now a question: what’s your Ideal Daily Template? Do you have one? How does it feel when you follow it? How does it feel when you don’t?
Happy weekend everyone!
Great food for thought here, Melissa. I need to re-examine my creative schedule because I’m just not getting enough art time at the moment & I can feel myself stagnating.
You won’t believe this, but I spent at least a decade when the only time I got in the Sandbox was at my annual 5-day calligraphy retreat every spring!
!!!
Every year I would resolve to set aside time to create, and I could never make it happen. Until now! Apparently I was ready for a change, ready to finally set up my life for optimal happiness. Regular Sandbox time is mandatory for that. 🙂
Another spot-on commentary. My days (Monday through Saturday) are: 6:00 a.m. – 11: a.m., administer and write for my blogs and websites; 11:00 a.m.-Noon, exercise; Noon-2:00 p.m., eat and read/rest; 2:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., write; 9:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., relax, 10:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m., sleep.
Sunday: catch up on shows I’ve DVR’d (The Daily Show, 30 Rock, Bored to Death/Hung/Entourage/Mad Men), watch Steelers football, housework, etc.
This ideal template can be interfered with by problems sleeping (at which point my reading time goes up), with teaching (I’m an instructor each spring at a large university), and with fulfilling my duties as a school specialist for a large insurance company represented by a duck).
My 2:00-9:00 p.m. time slot is completed in my office on campus, where there are NO distractions (except Pandora and a small fan on my desk). That is when I’m most productive. Working at home is a challenge. As one of my friends pointed out, not only is writing hard work, but not-writing is easy work. My procrastination low point? I found myself sorting grocery coupons by expiration date.
Here’s to sticking to a schedule.
Good luck at the street festival.
Thanks Jim! I love that you’ve figured out your most productive time, and how to get the most out of it.
And your procrastination low point cracked me up. I can definitely compete there, though I’m in too much pain right now to think of good examples (see today’s blog post for why…Thanks for the good wishes, but again, see today’s post.)
Thanks for sharing! I’ve been constructing my ‘ideal day’ in my head for years now. Funny though, with all that practice, you’d think I’d be a master at it. But even so just last spring there was period of nearly 4 months when I couldn’t figure out why I was feeling so encumbered and foggy. I was following my ideal day (train/rehearse/company practice 9-noon; bookkeeping/admin/desk work 2-5pm). Then it occurred to me while on a phone convo with mother- omg! I can’t workout in the mornings anymore!!! My brain is too fried for the rest of day!
All this to say, if you’re following your ideal day, and something is still off, don’t be thick-headed like me. Consider changing up your ideal day as you change too!
You are SO right, Nicole! The IDT needs to evolve as you do, and as your Bliss evolves.
My current IDT includes writing (longhand, in bed) first thing. Then playing ukulele. Making art has temporarily fallen off the IDT, but will be very consciously put back on after I get some big writing projects accomplished. Or perhaps before… we’ll see!
Like your body (especially your aerial artist body!), it’s good to keep your IDT limber. 😉