The best laid plans of mice and men.
With those eight words, Scottish Poet, Robert Burns reminds us that life is laughing at us. Always.
I like order, not orders (although…. Never mind), but order. Math and science were favorite subjects for me. Follow the rules. Predictability. These are my comfort zones. They’re also what drive me crazy.
How are those New Year’s resolutions coming? Yeah, mine are shot already. (Not that I engage in the practice of New Year’s resolutions, mind you.)
All those deadlines? You made them all, Right? Sure, you did. I did too, if you count adding extra time to finish.
That promise to not wait to the last minute again, you keeping it? Nope, failed that one too.
As much as I crave order and a finite system, the reality is my brain doesn’t like it as much as I think. My mind wanders and I go along for the ride. Lists help, but they drive me batshit crazy.
A couple of years ago, I took six weeks off from work. I remember the lead up to the time off, I had two lists; a master list of everything I needed to do before the start of my time off, and a new one every day of things I wanted to accomplish. I can’t say I did everything on my daily list every day, but I did keep to them for the most part. It was the most productive few weeks of my work life.
And the most stressful. I lost five pounds in four weeks. Over the Christmas holiday. With all the cookies, pie, candy, and cake I could eat.
Yeah, order and to-do lists are great. For everything other than my health and sanity.
So why this topic now? I’m being reminded that I’m crap at keeping on task. It all seems so easy when I plot it out. I’ll release this book, here. I’ll write this many words a day. I’m going to watch this many instructional videos this month. And I’ve completed exactly none of those goals this month. (Well, I’m most on track with re-releasing my books, but that’s hardly an Andrew for the win kinda thing.)
It’s a bit frustrating because each set back really sets back my schedule. Each failure to get it done in the time allotted, pushes everything else back – because let’s be real. If I can’t get it done as planned, it’s just not realistic to expect I’ll somehow magically catch up and get back on track.
Those who are good at this stuff tell me to take small steps toward being more efficient. And that, yeah, keeping to that re-release schedule, while a small thing, IS a step in the right direction.
Okay, sure. I’ll buy that. It’s a start. I’ll build on it. Keep it going. Right.
Just don’t ask me to celebrate it. That’s not on my schedule.
~Enjoy the journey.
Andrew Q. Gordon wrote his first story back when yellow legal pads, ball point pens were common and a Smith Corona correctable typewriter was considered high tech. Adapting with technology, he now takes his MacBook somewhere quiet when he wants to write.
Since devouring The Lord of the Rings as a preteen, he has been a fan of all things fantastical. His imagination has helped him create works of high fantasy, paranormal thrills and touch of the futuristic. He also writes the occasional contemporary story.
He currently lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his husband of twenty-four years. Together they are raising their daughter and three dogs. Andrew tries to squeeze writing time in around his most important jobs, being husband and ‘Papa.’ Along with teaching how to kick a soccer ball or ride a scooter, he has become fluent in cartoon characters and children’s books. To find out more about Andrew, his writing and his family, follow him on his website or on Facebook.
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website: www.andrewqgordon.com
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Books:
The Last Grand Master: (Champion of the Gods–Book 1)
Coming Soon: February 15, 2020: The Eye and the Arm: (Champion of the Gods–Book 2)
March 15, 2020: Kings of Lore and Legend: (Champion of the Gods–Book 3)
April 15, 2020: Child of Night and Day (Champion of the Gods—Book: 4)
May 15, 2020: When Heroes Fall (Champion of the Gods—Book 5)