Can we take the metaphor further this week? Going on a quest for a fantastical goal needs supplies and equipment - what will you bring? How can you find ways to remind yourself of those goals that you carry with you? Or, how could nurture a baby goal that's coming along for the ride and want to grow into something bigger?
Amstr-plan menus and grocery shop-exercise 4x-in bed by 10:30pm most nights-10 pages of MF-rev 2 PB manuscripts
Contingent Cassandra--Garden at least 1x, weights 2x; walk at least 1x
--Continue working toward regular bedtime
--Send group email re: pedagogy project
--Send email to regular teacher of upper-level class I will be teaching this spring re: texts, assignments, timing, etc.
--Rearrange books in apartment to make those relevant to Spring '18 classes more visible/accessible.
--draw up rough class schedule for Spring '18 so I can begin planning what goes where in both classes
2) Research: 5 hours, focusing on product. I hope to put all the revised bits together and work on transitions, maybe get it to the point where I can ask a friend to look it over.
3) Teaching: grade two sets of assignments.
4) House/Life: finish packing the guest room, get discards out of the house, book holiday travel.
Edit at least five pages of the book.
Write at least four pages of the novella.
Walk more than 45 minutes a day.
2) Make reservations for next week's conference. Excited about this one b/c it's at a great library I've wanted to go to for a long time, but also feeling hesitant about the time and energy to make the trip. I should really see it through though.
3) Write 15 minutes (or 200 words) 5x.
4) Walk 20 minutes 3x. Stretch daily.
5) Print dissertation chapter for considering re-reading/revision plans.
6) Prepare and present a good post-sabbatical report for the college BOT.
7) Enjoy the kids while hubby is out of town part of the weekend!
2. Revise conclusion
3. Incorporate TM's comments on intro
4. Create bibliography
5. Format and send
Oh, and: 6. Meditate as many times as I can manage, whatever that may be.
1 complete and submit small Park project
2 get in touch with co-author
3 review conference papers, round 1
4 get organized and figure out what to do next
karen (held over)1. Finish off marking2. Have complete draft of grass work.3. Hour and a half on coauthored conference paper draft (already put into calendar)4. 3 x walk/jogs (I don't think I can call them runs)
KJHaxton (held over)- 3 decent walks at lunchtimes or at dusk (decent = 3 miles)- use working at home day to make some progress on a potential publication (could be as simple as organising computer and physical workspace and files)- try not to freak out that it's the first week back and first lecturing since last October.
Matilda
1. Finish revision and writing Chapter 1.
1-1. Finish writing draft of Chapter 2.
4. Do exercise (anything is ok) several times a day.
5. Have less bread and less biscuits.
6. Write my journal every day.
6-1. No e-mails during research time.
Susan
- tenure review file- Paper grading- letter of recommendation- Begin reading book for book review
Waffles 1. Do other review
2. Finish draft of LHF grant (this has to happen as it goes through mock review next week)
3. Respond to editor’s comments on aging paper
4. Get most of the revisions for trans R&R done
5. Work on PTSD paper some more
Topic: The preparation of the seeker for the quest: To find my phoenix, I need to find my courage. (Now I feel like I’ve moved from Chretien de Troyes’ Galahad to the Wizard of Oz’s lion). As encouragement, I often use pictures and music. I have a pinterest board for 14th century France, which is helpful for both the Prudence book and a novel set in that period, and I often play medieval music when I work on either. In the same way, I play Big Band music when writing my WWII novella. Also, I have a small paperbound notebook for each project, color-coded, with descriptions of the characters and other notes that I think of at odd times. I really should create a board for each of my projects, as well as a playlist. I think it would help to have some visual and audio cues of what I am writing about.
ReplyDeleteLast week's goals:
Turn in sabbatical application.
Edit at least five pages of the book.
Write at least four pages of the novella.
Walk more than 45 minutes a day.
Analysis: I had a slow and, to be honest, crappy start to my week, waking on Monday to puffy, itchy eyes, and a headache clamped like a ring of fire around my head. Welcome autumn allergies. After a few days, I was thoroughly encased in allergy medications, and managed to finish most of my goals. I am missing one form from University HR for my sabbatical application, so I will be following up with them on Tuesday. It seems like a small accomplishment, but it was one of those weeks--a meeting with several staff to discuss strategic planning, sigh. I couldn’t muster the counter-argument when some staff said it was an utter waste of time, and admin would do what it wanted. It is hard to be seen as the person on the admin side of the desk at such times. I also got drafted to be chair of a senate committee, and had to herd my cats ranging from a DIstinguished Professor to a junior Assistant Professor on his first committee. The tension was slightly lessened by meeting with the boss. After listening to the challenges I faced bringing a project to fruition, she opined that we should be meeting at 5:30pm so that we could have a drink to soften the pain of the discussion. So true, and yet so impossible.
On the upside, I have tomorrow off, and plan to enjoy at least some of it. I have a large needlepoint project that has been calling me--perhaps I will start that. If not, I can always start some socks. Winter is coming, after all.
Next week’s goals:
Create a pinterest board for the war bride novella.
Get my verification of employment form from HR.
Find and hang out winter clothes.
Edit at least five pages of the book.
Write at least four pages of the novella.
Walk more than 45 minutes a day.
Put in ILL request for the research book.
I hope everyone is doing well, getting into the routine of the semester. I’m enjoying the turn of the seasons,the cooler air at night, the crisp mornings. Excelsior, everyone. Be the stone, the water, or the mist.
I like the idea of the boards (although I haven't done Pinterest) and playlists and notebooks for each different project! I might have to implement some of that.
DeleteAnd speaking of allergies, my eyes have been itchy since February. What meds do you think are best for the eyes (I tried OTC drops, but I don't think they helped).
I hope you had a great day off!
I had a lazy day off, and read all day long. It was fantastic, thanks.
DeleteI've had most success with eye drops that have ketotifen. It is available OTC in Zaditor, and you can find a generic in several drugstores. I ended up in an emergency room, and the doctor there said it had just been approved as OTC (this was in 2009).
I find visual and aural props very helpful, and they put me in the story (or even my scholarship) better. A friend of mine, an Austen specialist, puts a picture of Jane Austen on her desk to write. I hope it helps you.
Well, I didn't list a fantastical goal, but had I done so, I would have focused on becoming more adventurous or experimental as a writer (even in my scholarship. Partly, like Elizabeth Anne Mitchell, it's courage; but it's also time to reach the moment when I know enough to do it.
ReplyDeleteGoals last week:
- tenure review file- DONE (and there were two of them)
Paper grading- NOT DONE
letter of recommendation- DONE
Begin reading book for book review NO
Reflection: I had to be on campus every day this week, and then this weekend both Saturday and Sunday had events that took large parts of the day (Sunday was a party, but. . .) The tenure file involved reading an 800 page manuscript. A few people behaved badly, so I heard about it.
Goals for next week:
Finish paper grading
Read book for book review
Walk twice + 3x workout
Keep practice of not bringing iPad to bed, and reading a real book
Your last week sounds tiring.
DeleteIt sure had it's moments. But the bad behavior was to other people, so not good, but not as exhausting.
Delete800 pages? Hoo boy.
DeleteWell, if my fantasy goal is to meditate more, then I need to have my meditation cushion, and maybe something to cue me to meditate, like incense.... I only meditated once last week, though, despite actually having a cushion and as much incense as I could want, so obviously I need some other things, too. Like taking the time to prioritize meditation, and find a time to do it that's not right before bed--it's *pleasant* before bed, but so is watching Netflix or reading, and there are nights when I feel too tired or whatever.
ReplyDeleteSo I need to work on that.
Otherwise, last week was good. I:
1) FINISHED and sent off my BOOK!
2) FINISHED and sent off my TENURE FILE!
And that's really about it.
This week, I need to do the following:
1) Lit review/bibliography for the conference paper I want to submit
2) Catch up on teaching and service work (esp. grading and curriculum proposal review)
3) Meditate x 3
Congratulations! That's a great week. Most excellent!
Delete🎉🍾🎁👍
DeleteI hope you Had a celebration! That’s a GREAT week.
Unfortunately I didn't really celebrate yet: I went to visit family, but my mom was struck down by some horrible medication side effect and landed in the ICU (on the day of my departure--but no one was up for much partying in the meantime). (And she's very much on the mend now.) So I just have a celebration in my future, right? And I did buy totally unnecessary new boots and a dress just because it was pretty, so that's something.
DeleteI'm glad to hear your mom is on the mend. That sounds like it was alarming!
DeleteAnd congratulations!!! I think you should do a jig in your new boots. Well done.
Congratulations! Sorry to hear about your mom, but I'm glad she's on the mend.
DeleteGoing on a quest means that of course I'm struggling through dark woods and trackless wastes, fighting off monsters, and resisting temptation (or not, as the case may be). So these problems and delays are not my fault! They're plot devices! That's very encouraging. I can totally outwit plot devices; they usually advertise themselves many pages in advance.
ReplyDeleteHow I did:
1) Self: daily exercise, yoga (2x, preferably), enough sleep, work on at least 2 languages, do the necessary cooking so I can eat safely. YES to all (yoga still mostly 1x, but sometimes 2x).
2) Research: 5 hours, focusing on product. I hope to put all the revised bits together and work on transitions, maybe get it to the point where I can ask a friend to look it over. YES and NO: 4.5 hours, still not done, but today I started putting bits together, so progress is good.
3) Teaching: grade two sets of assignments. ONE.
4) House/Life: finish packing the guest room, get discards out of the house, book holiday travel. PROGRESS on the first two (but not done yet), DONE on the travel.
New goals:
1) Self: daily exercise, yoga (2x, preferably), enough sleep, work on at least 2 languages, do the necessary cooking so I can eat safely.
2) Research: 8 hours, focusing on product. I hope to put all the revised bits together and work on transitions, maybe get it to the point where I can ask a friend to look it over.
3) Teaching: grade two sets of assignments (another one comes in tonight, along with the one I didn't do last week). Also read a diss chapter and think up good advice.
4) House/Life: finish packing the guest room, get discards out of the house, get estimates on window washing.
Plot devices! I like that idea . . .
DeleteSorry for the late check in. TRQ took over--mostly in a good way. I taught a day-long class on Saturday about writing for children, and it was just lovely! The second installment is next Saturday, but I'm mostly prepared now. And my husband was able to take Mon/Tues off work, and my parents came to take care of the kids, so I'm looking out our hotel window at a lovely view right now!
ReplyDelete-plan menus and grocery shop--YES
-exercise 4x--2x
-in bed by 10:30pm most nights--ish
-10 pages of MF--5 pages
-rev 2 PB manuscripts--nope
Same goals for next week:
-plan menus and grocery shop
-exercise 4x
-in bed by 10:30pm most nights
-10 pages of MF
-rev 2 PB manuscripts
I'm so glad that the class went well! I'm sure that feels great. I hope next week is just as nice.
DeleteAnd how wonderful that you and your husband had a couple of down-time days together. I hope they were very relaxing and rejuvenating.
Except for the obsessive texts from my mom and my daughter, it was relaxing. :) The kids took a snow day from school today (a hold-over from our Western Mass days; California needs the opportunity for some, so we make our own), and I got to nap all morning. It was delicious!
DeleteGlad the class went well -- and that you'll now have the pleasure of anticipating a second lovely installment rather than the anxiety of wondering how it will go.
DeleteWell, I met the new ILL person at a work retreat on Friday, so perhaps I found my supernatural aid for my research? Reminders would also be a good idea for me. Maybe some little cards by the nightstand reminding me to stretch, notes here and there to remind me to drink water, and other reminders in my calendar. And baby steps might be a really good idea for writing.
ReplyDeleteLast week:
1) Finish paying bills.—NOT DONE. This is definitely TRQ now.
2) Make reservations for next week's conference. Excited about this one b/c it's at a great library I've wanted to go to for a long time, but also feeling hesitant about the time and energy to make the trip. I should really see it through though.—CANCELLED. My husband and I each scheduled something for the same weekend by accident.
3) Write 15 minutes (or 200 words) 5x.—ONLY 2x
4) Walk 20 minutes 3x. Stretch daily.—NOT MUCH. Walked 1x.
5) Print dissertation chapter for considering re-reading/revision plans-- DONE.
6) Prepare and present a good post-sabbatical report for the college BOT--DONE!
7) Enjoy the kids while hubby is out of town part of the weekend! DONE!
Analysis: I've been tired still, so . . .
This week (even though a bit late in the game):
1) Drink at least 36 oz of water per day (this is my first step to increase water intake with hopes it will help my allergies and joints).
2) Write 5x for at least 5 minutes or 50 words.
3) read article and make revision notes
4) pay bills (this is TRQ now)
5) Make reminder cards for stretching, etc.
6) Put grading schedule in calendar
7) Investigate other conference options for possible new funding request
8) 1.5 hours of walking
Bummer about having to back off from the conference! We just had a similar situation where T scheduled a work trip over a concert date night a friend had gifted him. Oops!
DeleteAnd good for you for making progress in a tired week. 2x is better than no times! Even 1x is better than 0x!
For my quest I'm in the market for a time-turner. More hours in the day please!
ReplyDeleteThis week was my last teaching week of semester, and also included having a creative work completed, and the usual dramas de jour.
1. Finish off marking - Not entirely, though some progress made. And more arriving tomorrow...
2. Have complete draft of grass work - Yes, and recorded and installed and seeming to run properly, Hurray!
3. Hour and a half on coauthored conference paper draft (already put into calendar) - this has ended up being more of a put the powerpoints together, but I'll finish reviewing the draft tonight before presentng tomorrow.
4. 3 x walk/jogs (I don't think I can call them runs)- , one week no, and restarting this week - 2 done so far. I am trying to reframe my self image as 'I am a person who runs'.
Next week/tomorrow and weekend:
1. Do one remaining jog for Couch to 5K
2. Make progress on marking
3. Set up clear weekly goals and plan on Sunday night.
Hmm.. .I, too, *think* I need more time in a day (or even a year; those seem to be going very fast lately), but, realistically, I need to find a better way to manage time and, especially, energy. I should be able to do more in the time I have available than I do, but the longer the to-do list gets, the more slowly I seem to move. . . Realistically, I need to keep working on finding ways to fit refreshment/renewal into my days and weeks, so as to reduce the amount of low-energy time.
ReplyDeleteGoals for last week (set nearly two weeks ago):
--Garden at least 1x, weights 2x; walk at least 1x
--Continue working toward regular bedtime
--Send group email re: pedagogy project
--Send email to regular teacher of upper-level class I will be teaching this spring re: texts, assignments, timing, etc.
--Rearrange books in apartment to make those relevant to Spring '18 classes more visible/accessible.
--draw up rough class schedule for Spring '18 so I can begin planning what goes where in both classes
Achieved:
--Gardened 2x (including one 7+-hour stretch, which was productive but probably a bit much), lifted weights 1x, didn't walk.
--Sent email re: course but didn't hear back
--bedtime hasn't been too bad, but could be better
No progress on the rest (the semester, and all the TRQ tasks associated with it, is definitely speeding up)
Goal for this week (pretty much over):
--regroup