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Friday, March 23, 2012

"Focus on the Good" Day

Sorry for not posting Wednesday.  It was such a crazy, busy day.  Life has really been a little overwhelming recently.  It was one of those days where you focus on what's not getting done rather than what is.  Add to that some discussion about feedback and how it affects our writing in the monthly goals thread at compuserve and then this post here

Why is it so gosh darn easy to believe all the bad things about us or our writing but not the good?  Why focus on what we didn't get done instead of what did?  (Not on Wednesday though, because nothing got done.  Really.)

Today I declare "Focus on the Good" day!  What do you do well in writing?  What's one thing of importance you've accomplished?  And yes, feeding your family is important, even if that's all you did.

This morning I went to four stores.  With two toddlers.  We made it home hungry but happy.  Doesn't matter that the dishes are waiting or laundry isn't done, that was an accomplishment.  And I'm good at dialogue.  At least in my later drafts. Nothing's good first draft.  So, what about you?  What good are you focusing on today? 

25 comments:

  1. I take care of anyone who needs it...momma, MIL, hubby, etc.
    And I write snappy, realistic dialog...now if description would be more consistent.
    Oh, yeah. Nothing negative, sorry about that. ; )

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    1. Well in all honesty we can't improve if we don't know our weaknesses but we also need to recognize our good qualities.

      You are an unselfish and amazing caregiver! I've seen enough over the years to know that.

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    2. (blush) Thanks. Does it count if it's grudging sometimes? ; )

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  2. Four stores and two toddlers...wow.

    I write really nice descriptions. Today I spent less than $20 on 6 shirts for my niece (I'd call that an accomplishment).

    Have a great weekend! :)

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    1. That is! Wish I could do the same, though I did once find cute shorts for $1.40.

      Good description is wonderful! lots of people would love to be able to do that.

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  3. I'm good at dialogue too. An agent told me so. She also told me I had too much of it. :(

    I went for a very long walk in the park this morning. That is the good I'm focusing on today. :)

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    1. Well, we can still improve things we're good on. A walk in the park sounds amazing. Have a good weekend.

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  4. Going to four stores with two toddlers is quite an accomplishment. For me, going to just one store with one toddler can sometimes be quite a workout. =)

    I think everyday should be focus on the good day. Right now, I'm just glad it's Friday.

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    1. depending on the day one toddler in one store is impossible.

      Yes! lets celebrate Friday. Or Saturday, since that's what today is.

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  5. I second Linda's comment ... The weather here is beautiful, in the mid-70s, and I spent a lot of time outdoors this morning, walking.

    Have a nice weekend :)

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    1. Hope you're enjoying the outdoors. We're off to the cherry blossom festival with the kids. Should be fun!

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  6. I like the focus on a good day idea!

    Let's see...I'm over halfway done with the kids' homeschooling today (it's 3:30, but we didn't start until about 12:30 and they've been taking breaks to play outside). It's GORGEOUS, I've made a headstart on the housework I need to get done, my tax return was deposited today, and I'm watching my kids make birdhouses out of cardboard, which they chose to do themselves.

    :D

    I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

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    1. I can't imagine trying to home school my kids. It would be so much fun in some ways but so much work. I'm amazed at how much you accomplish.

      Happy weekend to you too!

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  7. I've done the four stores with two toddlers marathon. Question: why aren't there ever any close parking spots on days like that?

    I like your positive thinking. I'd say one of my strengths is my determination. Life can get rough, but I keep on trying. I hope someday all the hard work pays off!

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    1. Of course it will! Determination is a great strength, and I'm sure it will take you where you want.

      I don't really care how close to the store I am as long as I can park next to a cart return. It makes it sooo much easier.

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  8. Gah. If this post isn't the truth!

    "Yes, feeding your family is important" <----LOL! I'm laughing so hard.

    It's SO true that we focus on what we *didn't* get done... I think as writers, we particularly feel this more than other people... because that manuscript is always there in the back of our mind... always pushing and haunting us and the work is always there waiting to be done...

    Such a great post. :D

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    1. Somedays I feel feeding my family is all I do. Well, that and changing their diapers which is a direct result of the feeding but it's not as if I could stop.

      I agree that writers (or others who work for themselves) feel that pressure. Like you said it's always there in the back of our mind and we know we won't get the reward (publishing, money, fame, whatever) unless we are working.

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  9. Love this. I don't remember the exact number, but there is a saying... something like... it takes 10 positives to cancel ot a negative. This applies to thoughts, feelings, ect. CRAZY RIGHT? Today I am feeling slightly worthless too, but... I am almost done with my WIP and I know I can do it!

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    1. That is crazy! And it shouldn't be that way. Yay for almost being done! I know you can do it too! Already you've done a major accomplishment. Good luck!

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  10. The best thing so far today was having an easy morning of coffee and reading the paper and DH making an awesome game sausage/egg/onion thing for breakfast.
    I'm wading into blogging now. Got 50 comments to reciprocate, at least 4 advance posts to do since next week will be insane at work, The Saga of the Kilt Hose to write and more advance A-Z blogging.
    I really hope it will turn out to have been a good thing, this two weeks off from editing the novel...

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    1. Sounds like a very nice morning. I remember mornings like that. I'm behind on comments too. I'm hoping to catch up to them this week. I'm looking forward to The Saga of the Kilt Hose, lol. Good luck on everything. And the two weeks off will be a good thing, even if it's been frustrating. You'll have some good perspective and see things you didn't otherwise.

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  11. Oh my goodness. Yes! It's so good to focus on the good! It can get lost amongst all the not so good stuff. Great post!

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  12. I hope that life begins to ease up for you soon. But four stores with two toddlers is a huge accomplishment! Screw the dishes, I hope you just enjoyed yourselves after that.

    But this is a really wonderful post. What a great reminder to look for the good in all things.

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  13. Focus on the good. I love it! Making a manageable goal and actually accomplish it always grants me a natural high. It's all in how we perceive things. The positive holds more reward. :)

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    1. The positive does hold more reward. I don't know why I can't ever remember that.

      I always have problems with the manageability of a goal. I'd say I'm just trying to stretch myself but really I'm just all over the place at goal making. Not one of my talents.

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