Apologies for late posting; as JaneB noted in the placeholder post, I've been having some internet/computer troubles, thought I had them resolved enough that I could post first thing this morning, found that wasn't quite the case, etc., etc.
Which brings me to our topic, rather selfishly based on what is topmost in my mind at the moment, since I haven't read over the last two weeks' check-ins as thoroughly as I might. Still, I suspect I'm not the only one dealing with this question as the summer (or whatever season it is for you) draws to a close.
This group is devoted to keeping the focus on TLQ goals, and, for many of us, some portion of the months between May and September offer the biggest chunk of time we're likely to get to focus on such goals. However, this period is often also prep time for the months to follow, and better prep often allows for better focus on TLQ year-'round. "Prep" is often class prep, but it can also be things like the projects I'm contemplating, and trying to prioritize with other, longer-term TLQ goals, right now: updating computers and similar tech infrastructure that haven't quite stopped working, but might well do so when time is even more precious. I'm thinking we might call things like class prep and tech-updating (and perhaps also cooking/freezing/planning ahead for meals, organizing spaces and schedules and to-do lists, etc.) mid-term TLQ: activities that aren't urgent right now, and that, accomplished now, reduce the chances of TRQ-type emergencies (or even an inability to accomplish TRQ stuff at all) in coming busier months, but that nevertheless compete for time, energy, and attention with long-term TLQ goals such as writing/research projects and even establishing/continuing good habits such as exercise, sleep, and eating well (has anybody else been up 'til midnight or beyond lately researching and/or wrestling with a tool, routine, etc. that's supposed to save time and smooth the way for a more productive, predictable life in the long run?) To me at least, it seems that this time of year, when many of us have just a few more weeks free of at least some of our regular TRQ demands, tends to bring conflict between the desire to make all possible progress on long-term TLQ goals, and the thought that accomplishing some mid-term TLQ/prep-type goals might make the months to come go more smoothly.
So, I'm wondering (not entirely coherently, I'm afraid): how do you balance mid- and long-term TLQ goals? Do you, too, feel the increasing press of mid-term, prep-type TLQ goals at this time of year? If so, how do you prioritize mid- vs. long-term TLQ goals? Does it vary from year to year, and/or by context (e.g. whether you're trying to wrap up a big TLQ project such as a dissertation or book or major article, or heading into a more normal, lots-of-things-in-medias-res type of year)?
So, feel free to chime in on mid- vs. long-term TLQ, or argue that mid-term TLQ is really just TRQ in disguise, or just check in; whatever works.
Here's a reminder of the standard format for check-ins:
1. comment on the week's topic, when there is one
2. report your progress against last week's goals
3. analysis (optional): analyse what happened, what went well, what came
up to derail things, note what you learnt/want to change, ask any
questions of the rest of the group if you want some tips or suggestions
4. planning (optional): something about the coming week: what the
priorities are, what issues are going to present challenges, what the
framework for your goal-setting is
5. goals for the next week (or multi-week period until your next check-in)
Last week's goals:
allan wilson
(from week 11)
1. the ethics app - now pretty much urgent
2.exercise 4 times
3. work on any one paper that I WANT to work on, that is not immediately urgent, for 2 hours.
4. write emails to friends JB, LA and AH
Amstr
1) nightly check in (food, to do list, daily celebration)
2) write daily
3) finish cleaning out clothes + reorg clothes portion of closet
4) menu planning/grocery shopping
5) progress on WGWLS (study questions for a book, chapter by chapter)
Contingent Cassandra
1) get home internet connection working
2)
figure out refill system on phone (which has been ably serving as a
backup for the internet connection, but now I've used up most of my
monthly allotment, and my low-cost provider's refill process is not as
transparent as would, perhaps, be ideal).
3) make at least some progress on financial/household tasks originally planned for this week.
4) re-plan rest of summer
Daisy
(in the field for four weeks)
Elizabeth
Read for an hour three times for the literature review.
Schedule surgery.
One positive thought/thought of gratitude every morning.
GEW
(Goals from Week 9; checking in after wifi-less road trip this weekend)
1) Walk to and from institute location whenever it's safe enough to do so (i.e., not dark).
2) Write for at least 30 minutes per day on chapter draft.
3) Say no to socializing if I really don't want to do it.
4) Be a good listener during the training. Don't raise hands to make too many comments or questions.
5) Each evening, write lists of "intentions" for the following day so that I'm not just spinning wheels during any open times.
6) Enjoy and be grateful for this week of time during which I get to work on things that interest me.
humming42
1. finish book review 1
2. make significant progress on Upcoming Article
3. read book for book review 2
4. organize home office
iwantzcatbocl
(from week 10)
1. Exercise daily.
2. Make list of things to do.
3. Don’t dawdle with household chores.
JaneB
1) ten hours of TLQ research writing
2) five hours of TLQ teaching preparation
3) another unit of crochet on the afghan
4) some decluttering
5) some planning-of-rejuvenation - September trip
Karenh
1. P1 logistics - met collaborator, send email about grant and data to overseas person, chase up access permissions.
2. Do 2 hours on research training thingy
3. One article for P2
4. Try night check-in against new weekly schedule/todo/tada.
kjhaxton
(from week 10)
a) Scary project: continue re-analysing data for conference
presentation and read new literature on project. Draft presentation and
research tool for phase 2.
(b) Gemstone Paper: play around with data, write the next 1000 words and finish the figures
(c) continue list making and cross off some small items from the various lists.
Let's Do This
(from week 7)
1. Finish the article that I wanted to finish last week. Email it before
I leave town for the holiday weekend. This gives me three days, ACK!.
2.Do the dreaded bills.
3.
Fix the captioning and the video summaries on the two videos that have
been uploaded thus far. This will ease me into finishing, uploading, and
captioning the remaining videos next week, so I can get started on that
article before my parents arrive on the 10th.
4. Pack for the weekend trip. Something I love to put on the list because then I can cross it off later!
5. Enjoy extra time with my daughter, who has a break from the gym this
week.
Matilda
(from week 11)
1) To continue to revise Chapter 1, part 2.
2) To exercise for 3 minutes at least three times a day.
3) To have good sleep.
Mercy
a. read 1 HA-related article per day every workday (starting Tuesday)
b. freewrite for 15 minutes each day (starting Tuesday)
c. 1 fun/excercise thing w/kids each day (starting Tuesday)
d. 1 home/yard task each day (starting Tuesday)
Susan
1. Chaps 2 and start 3
2. Get back to prospectus
3. Keep walking or doing something daily
It's often very difficult for me to determine whether or not the mid-term TLQ are truly useful, or if they are procrastination methods. It seems that the mid-term TLQ goals can take up as much time as one gives them, and thus, while they are often great for organization and clarity (and are sometimes necessary), they can suck precious time from the true TLQ goals. I'm thinking of how some bloggers talk about allotting only the hour before a class for prep for that class (obvi this wouldn't be relevant for the first go-round for a course).
ReplyDeleteYour question is an important one, I think, for me as I head into my sabbatical period. I can get really sucked into prep/organization/foundation building kind of stuff as I blow of the tougher TLQ goals. I want to be sure I don't do that. I'm very curious how others feel about the midterm TLQ.
From Week Nine (posted before I was away for four weeks)
1) Walk to and from institute location whenever it's safe enough to do so (i.e., not dark). YES! One day I walked almost seven miles, and I think I did nearly 20 during the week.
2) Write for at least 30 minutes per day on chapter draft. NOPE.
3) Say no to socializing if I really don't want to do it. YES.
4) Be a good listener during the training. Don't raise hands to make too many comments or questions. YES. I think so!
5) Each evening, write lists of "intentions" for the following day so that I'm not just spinning wheels during any open times. NOPE.
6) Enjoy and be grateful for this week of time during which I get to work on things that interest me. YES!
Analysis: Once I left for the NEH institute, I got nothing done on the dissertation. And then we were on family vacation for the three weeks afterwards, and I didn't meet my self-imposed deadline before we left, so I'm BEHIND! But the institute and the vacation were both fantastic!
This week's goals:
I've got a few meetings at work to prepare for, but then after this week, it's sabbatical time for me! For the next two weeks, the kids are still out of school, and hubby is back at work, so I'm the go-to parent, but I'm go to try to get some extra grandparent time for the kiddos so that I can work. I think grandparents will be game b/c they didn't see the kids for 4 weeks, and I don't feel too guilty since I've just spent 3 weeks of quality time with them.
This week's goals:
1) read 2-3 chapters or articles
2) spend 4 solid hours writing/editing chapter
3) prep slide show for prof dev activity
4) stock up on food and pick at least one new recipe to try
5) walk dog 3x, swim once
I hear you on the suspicion/ambivalence about the mid-term TLQ stuff. As you can probably tell, I'm pretty torn/ambivalent myself -- and yes, I think this stuff bears watching (even though it sometimes also needs doing).
DeleteI'm delighted to hear that both the institute and the family trip went well; it sounds like both laid a good foundation for a productive end of the summer and beginning/continuation of the sabbatical.
It sounds like your conference and vacation were rejuvenating! And it sounds like you have a great plan for the week.
Delete1. YES, I recognize the need for & allure of "mid-term" TLQ goals. For me, the question that resonated most is whether mid-term TLQs are really just TRQs in disguise--so not really TLQ. Like Good Enough Woman, I know I sometimes/often use the kinds of tasks mentioned (technical prep/getting refs in place/organizing field notes, etc. etc.) as a means of procrastinating. So I need to be mindful not to devote ALL my time to those kinds of tasks at the expense of my long-time (or "real") TLQ tasks, which for me is always writing, b/c it's of all tasks most daunting to me. Still, reading the original thoughts on this topic, I couldn't help but thinking that there IS something to be said for making at least SOME time for the kind of mid-term TLQ tasks, if only because they tend (for me) to be less intimidating: can't spend 8+ hours writing each day anyway, so might as well do some useful prep work NOW, when I'm not frantic, than having to scramble in the middle of the semester. In short, I think I need to be more appreciative of the need for ALSO taking care of mid-range TLQs, as long as they are not the only TLQ tasks that get done.
ReplyDelete2. Progress:
a. read 1 HA-related article per day every workday --> 3 out of 4
b. freewrite for 15 minutes each day --> nope: what's wrong with me???
c. 1 fun/excercise thing w/kids each day --> 2 days
d. 1 home/yard task each day (starting Tuesday) --> 3 days
3. What's wrong with me?? Clearly, the freewriting goal isn't working for me--except if I were to count the note taking & commenting I do while reading the article (which I do in Mendeley, so I can easily cut and paste my notes later). I don't want to count those as "writing" though, b/c I always take notes on articles in this way, and if I were to count all that as writing, I could too easily trick myself into thinking that I was "writing" way more than I actually am.
4. Not a particulary busy upcoming week, but I clearly need a new plan to make sure I actually get back into my writing. How about: cut and paste the article notes from Mendely INTO the article draft, which would involve thinking about structure: what article relates to which part of my own piece? And do I need all the notes or only certain ones? I think one reason the "15 minutes of free writing" didn't work earlier was also that I was pretty wiped out from the intense reading & note taking I'd already done at that point: from 2 to 3,5 hours. Now that the end of the pile is in sight, I can maybe alternate between reading/note taking and cut&pasting/writing. Yep, that's what I'll plan for.
5. New goals:
a. read/comment on 2 articles I didn't get to from last week
b. writing (cut-paste-freewrite) on 3 articles read so far, AS PART Of ongoing draft of HA article
c. get some exercise & do something w/kids each day
d. go to bed on time, write in gratitude journal, and don't "stress before bed"
I like your point about mixing true-TLQ and mid-term TLQ projects. I think that works especially well for research and writing, since most people really can't write for 8 hours a day (and the few who can usually do so only for relatively short periods of time, interspersed with considerably-longer fallow periods).
DeleteAnd I like your plan for working your way out of your present writing conundrum (and so applying bugge spray to the "what's wrong with me?" thoughts by realizing that the 15-minutes-of-freewriting approach either (a) doesn't work for you, even though it works for others, or (b) isn't working well for you now, on this project/this stage of this project, even if it has worked in the past, and might work again in the future). Thinking about/playing with structure, and beginning to synthesize/organize discussion of the secondary literature, certainly counts as "writing" in my book. Maybe you could also try writing some transition and/or topic sentences that articulate the emerging structure? That's a shorter, more intense sort of writing that one usually gets out of freewriting, but trying out several alternatives (perhaps associated with different possible structures) might help you articulate for yourself as well as your eventual readers the thinking behind the structure.
Hi all! I'm so sorry for my long absence. First, I was distracted and delayed by an article I was trying to get finished, and by my parents' impending annual visit. Then, during that visit, my dad suddenly passed away. It's been an awful month. But, I'm starting to feel human again, so I thought I'd check in, if for no other reason than to offer you all my encouragement. I actually managed to send out another article today, the one I was trying to finish back when I last posted. So, at least there's that. I know we're at summer's end now, especially for those on the semester system, so I just wanted to thank you all for your support earlier in the summer. Happy writing, everyone!
ReplyDeleteOh, my. I can't even imagine. I'm so sorry. And just to say, recovering from a death -- particularly a sudden death -- takes time. Never mind all the logisticalstuff that goes along with it. My condolences.
DeleteOh, dear. That's terribly hard. I'm very sorry. And I'm amazed that you've managed to get anything out (but sometimes, as we've discussed, the familiarity of work can be a refuge, and, since one never knows quite how and when grief will hit, there's something to be said for making progress while one feels like making progress).
DeleteCondolences to you and your family, and best wishes for happier days ahead.
Wishing you and your family all the best. I'm hopeful that you have the time and space to grieve in the ways you want to.
DeletePlease accept my condolances on your terrible loss.
DeleteI'm so sorry about your loss - and thank you for your generosity in checking in to encourage us.
DeleteKarenh
Adding my condolences to the heap - that must have been such a nightmare for everyone!
DeleteBig squeezy hugs for you! ((((LDT))))) And congrats on the article!
DeleteThank you all so much for your kindness. <3
DeleteI am very sorry to hear of your loss. My condolances. I admire your strength to work when in grief. Working might help one to get back to ones daily life.
DeleteI'm so sorry for your loss.
DeleteThe challenge for me is to not forget about the long-term TLQ while working through shorter term projects. It’s definitely a question of balance, especially at this time of year, when classes start for me three weeks from tomorrow. The majority of my summer TLQ projects are due September 1, so I’m trying to tend to research and writing while also doing the prep work for the Fall semester. I know that good prep know will make things somewhat easier through the semester. Yet I really don’t want to give myself over to it just yet.
ReplyDelete1. finish book review 1: no
2. make significant progress on Upcoming Article: some
3. read book for book review 2: some
4. organize home office: mostly
Trying to hush the inner critic who is waving her arms and shouting, “hey! what the heck are you doing that nothing is getting done!” There are other things getting done. I am also trying to let go of defining myself by what I get done. It’s not so easy. Consider I haven’t finished these projects I’m working on, I will repost them, along with the last week of summer teaching.
Week ahead:
1. finish book review 1
2. make significant progress on Upcoming Article
3. read book for book review 2
4. get caught up on grading
There's something to be said for using the increasing TRQ-ness of the approaching semester to advantage. Somehow the teaching prep *does* get done, after all. Of course, the same can be true of writing with fixed deadlines (and if I've got both my head, too, gets far too full of internal dialogue about what I should do first and why I haven't done more and so on. It sounds like you're doing a pretty good job of quieting/calming that panicky inner critic, though).
DeleteQuieting the inner critic is one of my primary missions right now. :)
DeleteMid vs long term has been an interesting one for me, as in this hemisphere I've not had the long summer break to make the space to put TLQ up front. For me, getting some grip on the mid TLQ stuff (or will become TLR is not dealt with) has helped carve out a little space in both head and calendar for TLQ proper.
ReplyDeleteThis week:
1. P1 logistics - met collaborator, send email about grant and data to overseas person, chase up access permissions.
Done all but access chasing.
2. Do 2 hours on research training thingy
Done.
3. One article for P2
No
4. Try night check-in against new weekly schedule/todo/tada.
No - didn't fit well with night routine.
So for this week:
1. Use presentation on P! to push me to do more reading and writing on it.
2. Use research lunch to talk about some reading for P2.
3. Use pomodoro to keep evening work focused instead of half lost on internet distractions, and keep reasonable bedtimes.
Karenh
That's the other side of the coin: getting mid-term TLQ under control really can help with making space for long-term TLQ. Sounds like you're managing that well, and making steady progress on the long-term TLQ stuff.
DeleteMid versus long term is a good question, but I'm not sure what I actually have to say about it - partly because the last couple of years have caused serious neglect of my domestic and office infrastructure and organisation, and it's all terribly daunting. I do love the organis-y bits of teaching, writing handouts and assignments and planning curricula, especially when I can do them when not against the clock, and I'm always trying to predict and get ahead of crush points in case of illness/not being 100% - but that in itself is stressful and becomes TRQ in a way - an internally imposed deadline of being ready 2 weeks early just squeezes the task up into a smaller space when you are perennially behind and overwhelmed! I need to think about this one.
ReplyDeletelast week's goals
1) ten hours of TLQ research writing managed 6
2) five hours of TLQ teaching preparation yes
3) another unit of crochet on the afghan about half a unit whilst watching the Great British Bake Off - I do like that show!
4) some decluttering ish. Kitchen is slightly more improved, and I've done a lot of thinking and stuff. It really feels quite doable now, if only I had a few more weeks... and hadn't upset my knee (whatever I did at the gym seems to have reactivated an injury from four summers ago when I was running for a train (carrying heavy case on the stairs, weight of bag put me off balance, slipped, strained something - doc said ligament along outside of patella. Couldn't kneel down without it feeling like a knitting needly was being pushed up alongside my knee cap, even putting my knee on something soft like say the arm of the couch as a balance point when leaning, without my excessive weight on it. Spent the next couple of field seasons lugging an ultra-light-weight tripod folding stool, expensive of course as needed heavy duty one, because my lower back dislikes standing and my knee disliked kneeling which made kneeling or getting up from sitting on the ground painful, and my work often involves some quite static recording... or standing for quite a while in one place... anyway, that aside, kneeling is also an issue for decluttering as much of what I need to deal with has descended to the 'lowest shelf' aka the floor, or is under other things, or in lower level cupboards). SIGH
5) some planning-of-rejuvenation - September trip looked at some options in a desultory sort of way. Is now becoming more urgent...
analysis: I am doing better - but alternating days when I feel chipper and get things done with very grey, idle, read novels and nap the afternoon away days. I planned for 4 weeks of no-office because in past years I've started to get active and engaged and feel human by the end of a 2-2.5 week break; this year it seems to be taking a little longer, but having been so stressed earlier in the year, and not well before that, and not being any younger or healthier in general, well, maybe that's not so surprising. I've been grumbling about this over at my blog...
Today I completely messed up and forgot to go to the gym to meet with the guy who checks on my programme... because I got my days mixed up and forgot it was Monday, and left my phone on the charger so I didn't hear the calendar alert. Sigh. He usually works Tuesdays too so I will have to go by and apologise. I also have stuff to prepare for next week... going for quite a fine-grained list of specific goals this week, see if THAT works any better!
Congrats on some good progress this week!
DeleteI know these are ridiculously long. Sorry! Just skip this bit!
ReplyDeletegoals:
1) academic work: draft talk for September conference, draft abstracts for December conference (maybe 4 hours?). write some prep materials/task lists for my second semester teaching (1.5 hours each (=7)), comment on a grant application where I am a named partner (c. 1 hour (=8)), phone convo with PDF about the R&R of Repeater (1 hour (=9)), prepare documents and email for meeting with ScarySmartColleague (c. 2 hours (=11)) and produce a one page outline/questions and draft questionnaire for meeting with Eeyore (c. 2 hours (=13)). With keeping up with email, that would do. In my 'want to' list I'll add
polish draft of section for big-group-paper, send to coordinator (c. 1 hour - it'll have to be hacked in editing so no point doing more), Complete working through statistic software for beginners manual (maybe 3 sessions of 1.5 hours each). work on the form for the 'easy' grant application I started (2 hours) - but if these get done next week not this, that would be OK.
2) decluttering and domestic environment work: go through and sort all the easy to reach bits of the kitchen (countertops, easy upper cupboards, fridge). Spring clean counters, sink area, stovetop and floor as possible without kneeling. Finish the desk reorganising plan I started back around Easter. Do a preliminary pick up and make heaps in the living room (mostly throw out surface rubbish e.g. wrappers, recycling, stack magazines, hoover visible bits of floor). Clean the bathroom. Seriously consider contacting the nice decluttering service you saw on the internet... Do something small about the garden stuff.
3) Things for rejuvenating JaneB: watch GBBO and crochet! Reacquaint self with NaNoNovel to some extent. Book holiday stuff for September and travel stuff for meetings in September and December. If it's not too hot and I feel like it, visit the garden centre with the nice coffee shop to pick up some bulbs, maybe an ornamental grass and a few ferns (the 'natural fill' that has occupied the new bed, which I meant to weed out of course, but then I was sick, then it had started to be attractive to both cat and bees, but now it is going over), and have a coffee and a read in said coffee shop. Go to the gym, meet the nice man with apologies, go maybe 2 other times (knee allowing. I've clearly made some progress, because doing just-enough-to-set-my-knee-off-a-little as I did on Saturday actually feels quite boring and I could do more, but that's still more than I was doing at the start. Knee dislikes the exercise bike before anyone suggests that as better than treadmills for the cardio, I think it's because I sit a bit tensely because I worry about falling off the damn things - believe me that is very, very embarrassing - and possibly also because of the ergonomics of them which after all has to suit all sizes, I think the angles of things combined with my excess mean my hip-knee-ankle alignment isn't perfectly straight so the pressures are a little off). Go to the over-priced but luscious stationary shop and treat self to some small bits of new stationary for a new academic year, and do the nice mindless filling out the new diary chores. Go to bed before midnight, get up before 8, have early afternoon naps if you like but not late afternoon/early evening ones. Oh yeah, contact Sis about meeting with her and Niece to visit the giant chain bookstore in the shopping centre half way between our respective residences - a giant bookstore and lunch/fancy tea out sounds like fun. Or if knee doesn't seem keen on all that walking, maybe to visit them and hang out and do crafts again - so far driving is OK, probably because I chose my car for its ergonomics for JaneB's overlarge self as well as its fuel economy. Or take my fieldwork stool to the bookstore!!!
All this sounds pretty familiar to me. Though I don't have quite your physical challenges, I'm increasingly aware that both household and personal/health infrastructure really do require attention, or else they tend to demand it at especially unpredictable (or maybe all-too-predictable) and opportune times. Of course, just as one figures out what works, something changes -- or one figures out what works/would work, but can't get it (because, for instance, study leaves don't really contain much leave, and the academic year keeps expanding at both ends, which has a burning-candle-at-both-ends on the trying-to-rejuvenate academic caught in the middle).
DeleteSounds like you've got some good plans for rejuvenation in the near future, however, and like the decluttering/domestic reordering is bearing some fruit, and the gym activity is working toward a happy medium. Progress is always good, however incremental (or so I keep telling myself).
Mid/long term TLQ goals always seem tenuous to me - like the notion that I'll visit Australia or perhaps become an astronaut. There is little chance of either I'm afraid so I tend to focus more on the path a few meters from my feet than the view in the distance.
ReplyDeleteWeek 10 goals
a) Scary project: continue re-analysing data for conference presentation and read new literature on project. Draft presentation and research tool for phase 2.
made some good progress here, haven't done much with literature
(b) Gemstone Paper: play around with data, write the next 1000 words and finish the figures
done a little bit, but a bit disheartened about this one due to the actions of another person.
(c) continue list making and cross off some small items from the various lists.
making decent progress on a number of other things, had to re-order things a little as things moved to TRQ etc.
This week:
(a) continue with scary project and get presentation and research tool done.
(b) work out the issues with gemstone paper (e.g. stop sulking and get on with it.
(c) devise some small projects that can be done over the academic year and lead to papers.
It sounds like you're doing a good job of chipping away at the scary project (which I assume from the name is the one you're tempted to put off/ignore); Gemstone sounds more appealing, of course; I'm sorry it's proving disheartening at the moment.
DeleteHmmm. I can see how the mid- and long-term TLQ can be diversions, but also, they are often things that become TRQ if you don't do them. Can't say I've got any wisdom there, but. . .
ReplyDeleteGoals last week:
1. Chaps 2 and start 3 WAS I dreaming?
2. Get back to prospectus You're kidding, right?
3. Keep walking or doing something daily - Yes
Analysis: Fantasy is useful sometimes, but I was beyond deluded. I've moved my mother (as of four hours ago) into her new place. It was a LOT of work. I had a couple of semi-free days, but always something interfered, so really, nothing got done. I've got to pass some of the logistical stuff that can be done from a distance to my brother, who does finance for a living. My sibs both came and were of great help, but also -- I had only three days without a house guest. So. A little breather before I take on clearing out the rest of the house. That's a bit easier, because the heavy thinking has been done. The only thing I've done is exercise, but that's partly because moving -- packing, unpacking carrrying is great exercise!
So: Goals
1. Chapters 2 and 3
2. Prospectus
3. keep exercising
Congratulations on finishing the move! Logistical stuff pretty reliably expands to fill the time and brain space allotted or more), so I'm glad there's some possibility for delegation.
DeleteAnd yes, moving stuff is exercise, and physical work sometimes allows time for thinking (but probably less so when there are logistical things to figure out, and people around 24/7). At least it sounds like your mom, and you, might be settling into a somewhat more stable situation, at least for a while (the old, like the very young, tend to inject an element of unpredictability into their caregivers' schedules).
Topic: well, as I said, I've been mulling this one over, especially as it relates to computer stuff (updating systems and drives and making decisions about whether to upgrade to Windows 10 now, or wait a while, and, if I wait, whether I might do something to improve the performance of my main PC, which began having moments of inconveniently laggy behavior sometime toward the middle of the summer term). I ended up spending a significant portion of the last week or so researching Win 10 (and Linux distros for an older, backup machine, and all sorts of issues related to possible courses of action, all of which are more complicated then they first seem), buying various drives and other bits and pieces (which add up), and inventorying/reconciling existing physical backups (about which I can periodically get a bit obsessive, which doesn't mean I go about the process in an entirely organized way, or rather I set up one system and then it becomes obsolete in some way and I have to go back and rethink things and figure out what I did and why. I do have an always-on cloud backup, which works quite well, but I'm aware that no one backup, especially not one held on servers that could be damaged owned/rented by a company that could go out of business, can be entirely relied on). It all takes more time than I feel it should, and it isn't what I meant to be doing last week and this week, but I do think I've made some progress. At the very least, I have a better sense of where the backups stand, and what I might do going forward, which allays anxiety. The same is true for the bits and pieces of work around the house: it doesn't seem like it adds up to much, but I've definitely made progress on some things I've been meaning to do for several years, though at the same time I've been neglecting some other, even longer-term, TLQ household tasks. I don't have any real wisdom on this subject (which is part of why I posed the question), but I'm hoping that I've built some momentum on this sort of TLQ task that will carry over, at least a bit, into continuing progress on the related even-more-TLQ tasks this fall. Or so I hope.
ReplyDeleteGoals for last week:
Delete1) get home internet connection working
2) figure out refill system on phone (which has been ably serving as a backup for the internet connection, but now I've used up most of my monthly allotment, and my low-cost provider's refill process is not as transparent as would, perhaps, be ideal).
3) make at least some progress on financial/household tasks originally planned for this week.
4) re-plan rest of summer
Accomplished: Yes to 1 and 2, very little on 3, 4 more or less.
Goals for the coming week:
1) Get computer updating/backup stuff to a stopping point by mid-week; make notes on next steps
2) Take a long weekend break Thurs. - next Tues. (but check in briefly here), in a last attempt at rejuvenation.
3) Focus on activities that have gotten slighted so far -- swimming & walking -- as well as sleep (not doing so well on that one right now). Don't work on garden (except brief watering) during break unless I really feel like it. Ditto for household straightening: fine if I feel like it, but also fine to just sit and read amid the (now-slightly-diminished-but-by-no-means-vanquished) chaos.
Right now I'm aware of how much time and energy apparently simple administrative tasks can take. So this feels like good work.
DeleteWell, at least it's progress on something (and I really have no reason to complain, since my life is basically stable at the moment, which I'm aware from reading the various updates here is a blessing; the elderly-parent-care thing may or may not hit at some point for me, but it could, and quite dramatically, almost any time from today to 15+ years from now, and/or I could just find myself dealing with grieving in the context of a complex family situation. And of course none of us can take our own health for granted, especially as we age.)
DeleteAnyway. Brief update on timing/goals:
--I'm going to turn off the computer soon, in furtherance of the rejuvenation/concentrate on sleeping/exercise/reading goal. I will check in again mid-week (Wed.) next week, and will set goals for the remainder of that week then. I expect them to be mostly focused on continuing to form/keep up a sleep/exercise routine while beginning to deal with TRQ aspects of the coming semester.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI have missed two-check-ins again, and this is a very short post, though I’m enjoying reading other posts.
Topic: I usually concentrate on mid-term TLQ, though,I set long-term big TLQ goals. I like the idea that if I concentrate on what to do now, then I can achieve bigger final results .
Last goals:
1) To continue to revise Chapter 1, part 2. - I have been working on it. It is very difficult and I am still wondering what I can say from the materials I collected. Anyway, I am working on it.
2) To exercise for 3 minutes at least three times a day. - Sometimes. It is only 3 minutes, but it is still nice and help me to feel better.
3) To have good sleep. - Not really. Short sleep every day, but good thing is, though short, I sleep very deeply.
Next goals:
1) Write up Chapter 1.
2) Start to prepare for my presentation on 22th August.
I have set only two goals. Again, it will be a hard week, thinking of my presentation next week and also the deadline of my Chapter 1 revision is coming, Children are at home and need to be taken care of, since this is summer holiday. But anyway I have no teaching, no committee, and also I enjoy playing with my children. What I have to do is to make the most of my own time of each day.
Have a good week, everyone!
Sounds like you're making progress on Chapter 1 (and like you're in the wrestling-things-into-shape stage, which can be chaotic and frustrating, but often leads, eventually, to emerging clarity).
DeleteAnd I like your approach to taking breaks: the brief-exercise strategy, and playing with your kids sounds like a good break, too (as long as you can combine it with some time that truly is your own).
Somehow I got distracted and didn't hit "publish" on my post.
ReplyDeleteI made decent progress on some stuff, none on others. This week is kind of a wash with a mini-trip I'm on (very restful, not very productive). I'll keep the same goals:
Amstr
1) nightly check in (food, to do list, daily celebration)
2) write daily
3) finish cleaning out clothes + reorg clothes portion of closet
4) menu planning/grocery shopping
5) progress on WGWLS (study questions for a book, chapter by chapter)
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ReplyDelete