Once I've accomplished a goal, I'm always looking ahead to the next. When I graduated from secondary school, I worried about what I'd do after university. And when I got my first promotion, I was already thinking about the next job title.It's the same with writing. I'd be half-way finished my MS and feeling anxious about querying, running through pitch lines in my head and thinking about which agents to target.
Slow down, I'd tell myself as my mind skipped ahead to the next challenge to be met. Enjoy the moment, for once. Lift your head from your computer and breath in!
There's nothing wrong with now. Rejections, frustrations, food and wine cravings... they're all part of the process. And what's to say the process can't be as enjoyable as accomplishing the goal?
Great post, so very true. It's easy to get wrapped up the future of stuck in the past and completely miss the good and the bad about now. And I'm a big fan of process. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm bad about this problem, too. I am trying harder to live more in the moment. Good post.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wise post! Yes, I am steadily learning the meaning of "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." I worry too much about the future that I forget to enjoy what I'm doing now.
ReplyDeleteUgh. Guilty. It's hard to remember that NOW is a good place to be sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI'm so with you on this one. I'm trying to enjoy the process as much as possible, but it's hard sometimes.
ReplyDeleteThanks, guys. I always have a hard time remembering this, so this post is really a reminder to myself! I have a pretty darn good life (and yes, I did just say 'pretty darn good' and no, I'm not a 90-year-old) and I need to appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteLooking ahead is the only way to get there lol! But yes, stopping to smell the flowers is good, too!
ReplyDeleteIt's rarely the goal, it's the journey that really matters, that's where memories are made and lessons are learned.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I need to remind myself that there's nothing wrong with "now" sometimes! And live in the moment more often!
ReplyDeleteNow's a good place to be. It's just so hard to keep reminding myself... so thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I'm posting on this subject from the other perspective tomorrow. We all need to take a breather and just enjoy the little moments.
ReplyDeleteoh I'm just like you. I'm always running on 'anxious' b/c I can't wait to finish a task and start the next. It's not that I don't enjoy what I'm doing; I just enjoy what's coming next also!
ReplyDeleteI love this...I am similar. I really look ahead sometimes, I just have to be careful not to let it distract me so much that I veer from the path I am traveling.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great post!
Visit My Kingdom Anytime
Thank you for reminding me to slow down and enjoy the ride, Talli! :D
ReplyDeleteToo true. I think we all forget to live for the moment. After all, that is all we have - the past can not be revisted, and the future is not yet written. Nice post. :)
ReplyDeleteI've been guilty so many times of rushing something off and submitting it without giving it time to 'settle'. I'm learning the lesson. S - l - o - w - l - y, though.
ReplyDeleteGood post! I too have a problem with living in the moment. I'm always looking ahead to what needs to be done. Probably why I can't write worth a crap right now.
ReplyDeleteHear, hear. Now where are those Dreamies? Muttie - step away from the Chardonnay...
ReplyDeleteMilt x
Yes yes yes! This is so me, always looking to the next step, the next goal, the next item on the To-Do list before I've crossed off the previous.
ReplyDeleteGotta slow down. Thanks for the reminder ;)
Writing often helps me stay in the moment, although there are times when I am more successful than others.
ReplyDeleteSomehow returning to the same idea each day becomes an anchor and helps me stay in the "now". Between projects, I tend to drift more and want to look ahead.
Nice post!
It's great to have so many interests and ideas that you're always ready to begin the next project. At least we never get bored...
ReplyDeleteI have to remind myself to take a break now and then, step away from the computer and go outside to watch my tulips.
You have a blog award over on my blog =)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the ride, the journey! It's the best part.
ReplyDeleteMost of us spend a lot of time in the past and future and miss parts of the now. Children seem to be able to be in the moment more completely than adults. When do we lose that?
ReplyDeleteI used to be all about the future but then I had Monster Baby and I'm definitely in the NOW. I still think about it but it has a more tempered aura around it, not so bright and shiny as it once was.
ReplyDeleteLOL, you're just like me! I've spent thousands of dollars on yoga classes trying to "be present," "embrace the moment." EE-ohm.
ReplyDeleteGood luck ;)
I have this problem, too. Sometimes it's hard staying in the moment and enjoying where we are now. I have this quote in my office: "No matter where you are in the process, concentrate on that. There really is a time to every purpose under heaven. When you're ready, your time will come, the doors will slide open, and your dreams will unfold." I don't know where I got it from though!
ReplyDeleteAs they used to say, stop and smell the roses. Still, like you I find it hard to lift my head from the computer. LOL
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the process, and enjoy looking ahead too! I took breaks from my MS to work on my query. It helped remind me what the vision of my MS was to be.
ReplyDeleteHi Talli
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are enjoying the now!! I think that's why I love animals - they're all about living for now - past and future don't mean nuffink - it's here and now and I really really admire that ability to live like that!
So yes, I hope you lift your head from your pooter and breathe in that lovely spring air!!!
Take care now
x
I do the same thing! I think/dream/worry about the future constantly and am working hard on letting go and living in the moment. Wait, is that another goal? It's an endless cycle!
ReplyDeleteI relate totally - I'm still working on the whole patience thing and enjoying the process
ReplyDeleteNow is such a difficult place to stay in isn't it? As difficult as a person tryng to give up cigarettes or chocolate. Why is Now so hard??!!!
ReplyDeleteMy attention span is too short to focus on anything for too long. Right now, I'm gungho about finishing my WIP, but I know me - I'll start to get done and something else shiny will pop up.
ReplyDeleteI'm right with you there Talli, if the process isn't any fun then the final product won't be. The whole point is to live and learn, enjoy life as it comes not enjoying it once you're there... several people never get to where they want to be, the point is to enjoy life as it comes and when you do you won't miss the real stuff.
ReplyDeleteGreat post as usual!! :)
This is so true! Why is it so hard to remember sometimes? I keep telling myself to just enjoy the journey and not worry about anything else, but jeez it's hard sometimes!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder, great post!!
The process better be (at least almost) as enjoyable as accomplishing the goal, because I seem to be stuck on this part. Great thoughts!
ReplyDeleteYou sound like me. My mind is always rushing off to the next thing. Thanks for this positive post!
ReplyDeleteI am trying to focus. TRYING :)
ReplyDeleteNice reminder, this post. I need to remember to savor the present moment. Hey, I posted an award for you today!
ReplyDeleteI am like this to an extent. I can't help but think of the future. I guess that is good and bad at the same time.
ReplyDeleteWe all need to be reminded that any time we find ourselves starting sentences with "Life will be good when..."
ReplyDeleteYou're right. We gotta let things be good now. "When" sometimes comes later, or harder, than we planned.
Hi Talli, couldnt agree more, as the lovely Miley Cirus lyrics say 'It's the climb' about the same subject.
ReplyDelete(Have a 13 year old, excuse the strange music tastes), mind you, it is a powerful song.
I'm always looking ahead too. But it often bites me because if I had more patience, I'd probably get less rejections. Keep at it and good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comments, guys! It is so good to know I'm not the only one who struggles with this. If anyone has a solution, please, let me know!
ReplyDeleteI really liked your post; it made me feel better to know that I'm not the only one who feels that way about goals. I work multiple jobs, so it's easy to feel overwhelmed. I just make sure to take even just one or two hours of "me" time every week; it makes it easier because then I have something to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteNow is the only place to be!
ReplyDeleteOf course the problem with most writers is they have such quick minds! :)