I've been thinking the past few days about goals, ideas and productivity. Maybe it's because I had my birthday last week and now I'm a week into my 35th year or maybe it's because tomorrow is the first business day of the second quarter and though my first quarter wasn't bad in terms of things accomplished, it wasn't stellar. And that's the real problems isn't it, the hollow feeling that gets into your head when you don't do everything you want. It makes you look back and see all those hours wasted doing this and that or watching some new show or sporting event on TV. And that's when the reinforcements arrive, whispering about more time wasted or things not being finished.
You look at your book cases and see the stacks in the to read pile. You know there are more books in your office at work which should also demand your time. And yet, you can't consistently make time to read, knowing full well that finishing even half of these books would dramatically help your career and your future. But again, you don't pick up the books and again the voices start whispering.
Sometimes it would be easier to just let the voices win, let them bring you down enough where you really don't bother with extra reading or personal projects. You do your time at the office (and even that isn't your best) and then you do anything else after hours. I've tried it and I just can't keep that going. I have to be doing something or at least trying to do something more.
I'm not really sure where I'm going with this other than getting it off my chest. I don't really have any great advice for that hasn't already been said. It basically boils down to a couple of things in my mind, don't settle and get things done. Obviously these are just cliches and probably only work for me. Don't settle for the level you are, always push yourself to learn more. And when you have ideas, get them done or at least begin to get them done. You might find that though the idea was intriguing for you, the execution of it isn't something you are interested in. That's ok, really it is. You can just move away from a project, you don't have to finish it. We only have a finite time to do things so find the things which push you and bring you the most satisfaction. That's the only way I've found to keep the voices from winning.