Holy bonus, Batman.
Something strange has happened. I’m about to call the EPA and have them check my water. I can’t think of any other explanation.
Here’s the thing: I’m ahead.
I’m not just caught up with my work, I have things done before they’re due – as in, in advance of their deadline. It’s not that I’m a slacker usually, it’s just that I love the thrill of the deadline, so I usually push each one to the limit. But this week, I’ve been like a machine. Can I tell you how many times I checked my calendar this week to verify that it was actually only Monday, then only Tuesday, then only Wednesday? A lot.
The Blank Page Route
I have a good friend that is going through a major life change. She’s at a crossroads with her relationship, business and geographic location. When we talked about what was going on with her, there was an invitation to discuss the horridness of the situation, to moan and groan and bellyache about it. But we didn’t. Instead we took the blank page route. Instead of desolation, there was nothing but open road and opportunity:
- If she could live anywhere, where would it be?
- If she could be with or without a relationship, which would she prefer?
- If she could be with anyone, what would s/he be like?
- If she could change anything about her business, what would it be?
What a glorious time we had creating and sucking.
The Bonus List
Today, Silas decided to leave our house and take some free time for himself. He was gone for four hours. I have no idea how he amused himself except that he rolled in something dead. The evidence is all over him. That doesn’t sound like fun to me, go figure, but it was his bliss.
When I realized how far ahead I was in my work today, there was an urge to pile more work on or, in a moment of pure insanity, search for the things that I’d forgotten to do and thus, send a wave of disappointment and reality upon myself as I realized that I wasn’t even close to being ahead.
But, I didn’t do that. Do you know what I did?
I made a list, I followed my blissful urges – the ones that felt good to just me. I played my own version of the Blank Page. Though I wasn’t at a crossroads, I was standing in front of an opportunity. What do I want to do with this unexpected open time? I asked myself.
- Write (whatever I want to write)
- Work on my new site The Daily Norm (which is soon to feature a fat interview with John Grogan (of Marley and Me fame any second now, so you might want to sign up for email alerts)
- Take an afternoon off and hang with my family
- Stand outside with my arms open waiting for the following things to drop into my arms: a book deal, a fat ghostwriting book project, a syndication opportunity for this blog, a lifetime supply of either guacamole or George Clooney
- Make a list of my ideal blog writing clients and go after them
- Write some more (of whatever I want to write)
I’m working through this list…with glee. And I’m curious to know what’s on yours.
Image credit: Fonzie’s Cousin
Check out the latest interview on The Daily Norm with The Bloggess, Blogger, Mother, Humorist.
