In preparing for the completion of writing my book, Communication Toolkit for Introverts, and move into other phases including collaborative marketing with the publisher, I started feeling: wait, slow down. Maybe you can relate to what I’m feeling. Work, work, work.
Why do we often brush aside what we’ve done to reach a milestone?
What could we do before moving forward, to stop and benefit from recognizing our achievement?
What small changes can we make going forward to change this habit to move right on without acknowledgement of accomplishment?
In my business coaching I’ve found many of us do, do, do and accomplish many things. But in our doing often don’t take time to appreciate ourselves. Isn’t that counter productive?
Inspired by a report of small steps that make a big difference in our life, for a few posts, here are some small changes I’m opting to do, to soak in some joy from the accomplishment before moving on. Hope you find it helpful and share your wisdom.
Stop and be grateful
I practice gratitude everyday. If you read this post, Mantras or Intentions Instead of Resolutions, there’s an app to help make it super easy to get into this daily habit.
These next two weeks, my plan is to focus my gratitude on what and who helped me have the opportunity to write this awesome upcoming book! Yes; I’m excited about what is going to help introverts get into easy action with some of the most sought after skills for business success.
Accept I’m not perfect
Writing with a publisher has tested my writing skills. You may be like me, usually blogging without a copywriter or editor eyes. It is blogging after all. But when we decide to write a book, and possibly be fortunate enough to have a publisher, editors are going to read every word and comma only to correct and suggest changes.
Because my editor has been quite detailed with his skills, it has made me consider his recommendations to improve my writing. As I get each edited draft it might momentarily make me doubt my ability, my knowledge, heck even my experience.
I have accepted my writing is less than perfect! Heck, nobody is perfect. Not even the editor. When I accept this, it makes it easy to accept the critique, make the changes and keep writing.
Intend to do less
So much emphasis these days is on being productive and doing more every day. But have you found, this is not what we really want?
In writing my new book I found slowing down made me happier. Early on my days were filled with writing. In the last half, I found I was able to take a day or two off and somehow get right back in the flow.
In slowing down, I was able to find better research then a first find, when I wanted it to support my findings. I could also write better bringing in some of the editors valuable suggestions.
Doing less can make us happier, in particular when we spend more time doing the things we want to do.
You make an excellent point. We most often do not take time to appreciate our accomplishments, especially one like this. What’s the point if you can’t appreciate that you finished an important goal? Huge congrats to you as you approach the completion of this goal. 🙂
Agree with you that it’s essential to take those small steps that make a difference.
For years I have practiced gratitude on a daily basis and try to accept that I’m not perfect. The latter can be difficult though because we all want to be the best at whatever we do, don’t we:-)
My late maternal grandmother apparently used to say that it doesn’t show how long something has taken but the result shows. Honestly to do less and get fantastic results is a much better idea than doing a mulittude of things with mediocre results. Far too many people opt for the latter option thought because of the 24/7 world we live in.
This really resonated with me. I too have a tendency to roar past what I’ve accomplished with hardly a peep of acknowledgement. It usually takes someone else to get me to stop and see what I’ve accomplished. I do like the idea of slowly down, taking a break if you will, to give me the mental rest I so sorely need at times. Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
I’ve heard from my peers in the Silent generation that they are amazed that I’ve become so fluent in social media. I found it a challenge when I first started out blogging and then joining and participating in social media networks. I try to downgrade what I’ve learned. But that’s dumb. I should just accept their compliments, be proud of what I’ve accomplished and slow down a little to smell the roses.
Congrats on reaching your milestone, Patricia – did the book turn to be awesome? 🙂
I totally hear you when you say we can do more by doing less. I tend to get overwhelmed when i see how many things i have on my to do list. I guess it is individual as my boyfriend, for instance, feels motivated when he sees how many things he has to do – crazy, i know.
Anyways, i have found through the years that no matter how much i stress out or multi-task, or hurry up to do something – i never do more than i actually can. And i do increase my productivity immensely by taking small steps and exactly what you aid – doing what i want to do. If i force myself into doing something – it would take me 2-3 times more time and in the end, it again may not be done right.
Thanks for the reminder, Patricia – and good luck with the homestretch of your book!
I definitely tend to zip past all I’ve accomplished in favor of the forward march, but I’m realizing how important it is to take the time to savor the small successes in order to better prepare for the bigger picture. In many ways my workaholic habits from teaching have carried over to freelancing, but I’ve been breaking all of my processes down and practicing better goal setting and establishing a work routine that isn’t as conducive to self-inflicted crankiness 😉
Congratulations, Patricia, on your book and on these recent discoveries!
It is definitely important to remember to do some self-reflecting. As a teacher, this process was part of my training and was something I had to do every few months. Most people don’t do this enough.
Equally important is reminding yourself to celebrate your victories.. No one is going to get mad at you for achieving a goal, so why should you be hard on yourself? Taking the time to “stop and smell the roses” (or coffee, or freshly mowed grass, or whatever aroma turns your crank) is super-important and necessary for enjoying life. Often workaholics forget this!
Thanks for the reminder, too. 😉