Celebrating Unproductivity

Hi Reader!

Happy weekend to all of you out there! It’s Saturday morning and I am very much awake already (surprise!).

I wanted to celebrate the spectacular failure of my W-Log posts today. It seems like none of my task-logging mechanisms work. This is getting insane. I don’t seem to follow my diet and/or workout plans either. And I wanted to enjoy the undisciplined whim my soul has taken upon itself.

Life is totally unpredictable. You might want something to happen that instant and it won’t. You might plan ahead for the day and the entire day bails on you. You might think, “Oh good, I’m home early. Let me just work on this thing I wanted to do for a while now,” and an unexpected problem crops up. It happens. You can’t help it, and you can’t magically fix it.

Everything that gets in your way is a lesson in itself. You learn to cope, you learn to deal with it, and hopefully, you grow. And one begins to see patterns in life this way. Whenever I plan to go to gym, either it starts raining, or it is too cold to use my motorbike, or I get this bout of laziness (this last one is totally my rebellious psyche). So, I learn to check the weather predictions before I plan to head out. And I learn to not waste my time waiting for the climate to get warmer and start a regimen I can do at home. (Again, laziness makes me pull up my quilt and bury myself in it, but, that’s okay.)

That’s what I mean. It’s okay to get bombarded by things which hinder your plans (inner Monica Geller yells shrilly). But, it really is okay. You get your knowledge and move on.

I have always firmly believed that it’s never too late to make changes in yourself. I know that if I am eighty years old and then I get the notion of learning Spanish, I would try. I would try as much as I can, and probably, if I wanted it that bad, I would accomplish it.

Hindrances don’t place a full-stop to anything you want to do. Laugh about them, dodge them, and try again. You never know how much your life would become simpler then.

Lots of love for the drama,

PPD

PS : I just realised that I crossed 25 posts on this blog! Yay! Now, that‘s some productivity.

W-Log #4

8:55 am

Good morning everyone!

I am awake and ready to leave for office (thank God, it’s only ten minutes away). The main thing that is keeping me going today is forgiveness. I forgive myself for being such a procrastinator. I forgive myself for failing in a lot of my plans the past three days. I forgive my pressing needs for pushing into the time that I could be doing my fun tasks. I forgive everything.

I want to sharpen my focus and not let the cloudy, comfortable weather invite my laziness today. Tasks are up!

Today’s List

1. Office
   • Fix current issue in Task 1
   • Special task 1 (this is getting out of hand)
   • Fun task 1 (YES! I waited for this stage of this task!)
   • Task 2 basics part 1
2. Diet and Workout
   • Gym (please, PLEASE go?)
   • Diet shopping
   • Food prep
   • Jogging (this failed already)
3. Writing
   • Prep 1 for next MS (do I need say more?)
   • Plan for fan-fiction story
   • Book 1 1k (reduced this)
   • Book 2 1k (and this)
4. Reading
   • Finish and review the Alchemist

When one plans something and decides a time and place for it, and it does not happen, what does one do? Curl up and cry, curse and hit self on the head, or lie around in a lazy delusion that one would never accomplish it. It’s not gonna happen by itself, you know?

There is no magic in real life. Being a Potterhead myself, it wounds my heart to simply utter those words. But, it doesn’t stop them being true. There is NO MAGIC in real life. People cannot and should not expect things to happen for them if they do not move a muscle. That’s why today I forgave myself for being lazy and planning my day improperly. That’s why I woke up with an energy to conquer the sun today. That’s the secret.

Wake up and smell the roses. But, they’d be there only if you’d planted and watered them in the first place.

W-Log #3

9:17 am

Hello!

Happy Lazy Morning to everyone! I am properly awake only right now, because my tasks for yesterday ran late (and I still did badly) and my friends had a group chat going till midnight. I’ve been doing all my chores since 7:30 in a vague, zombie-like manner. But, that’s okay.

The rest of the day should be smooth. It better be.

The expected result of the day is lesser negatives. The list goes shorter and with more emphasis on Writing (I’m kicking myself for performing poorly on this for more than a while now).

Today’s List

1. Office
   • Test current issue in Task 1
   • Special task 1 (you better at least start it today!)
   • Fun task 1 (hope the others show up)
   • Task 2 basics
2. Diet and Workout
   • Gym (just make it to the gym, will ya?!?)
3. Writing
   • Prep 1 for next MS (FINISH IT TODAY)
   • Plan for fan-fiction story
   • Book 1 2k
   • Book 2 2k
4. Home
   • Laundry

Today’s idea is to add emphasis to my higher priority tasks (Office and Writing). The trick to making up for bad days is to have a priority list of your existing priorities. I know that you’re going to call me insane and obsessive. Hey, I do what I do because I like it. If you don’t like this way, just retain the tasks for the next day and pray for the best.

Lots of luck for a great day! 😀

11:57 pm

Whoa, what a long day! Okay, quick listing now.

1. Office
   • Test current issue in Task 1 : Done, some left over (+7 points)
   • Special task 1 : Did NOT start it (-10 points)
   • Fun task 1 : Progress! (+10 points)
   • Task 2 basics : Nope (-5 points)
2. Diet and Workout
   • Gym : NO (-10 points)
3. Writing
   • Prep 1 for next MS : Not yet, move it out to a few days later (-5 points)
   • Plan for fan-fiction story : Not drafted, but, basically done (+7 points)
   • Book 1 2k (-5 points)
   • Book 2 2k (-5 points)
   • Discussion with photo editor for short story 1 : Great job! (+15 bonus)
4. Home
   • Laundry : Did it! (+10 points)
5. Reading
   • Half-complete the Alchemist : Yes! (+15 bonus)

Total = 64 – 40 = 24 points

Better than yesterday. But, still disappointing. I think I am in a Writer’s Block. Should work on that tomorrow.

Lesson of the day : Add priority to the high priority tasks when you find yourself slipping.

Grim determination,

Priyadarshni

 

W-Log #2

6:00 am

Good morning, World!

I’m fresh and upbeat today morning and I managed to wake 15 minutes before my alarm (yay!). Today’s strategy will learn off yesterday’s progress. My tasks will be broken down into pieces which would fit better into my result framework. And they will be easier to keep track of.

I think my upbeatness is owing to the fact that I ate a lean, protein-rich dinner (I should set an observation log going to analyse the effect of eating healthy!).

Okay, my goal for today is balancing of priorities. Let’s see the list.

Today’s List

1. Office
   • Resolve current issue in Task 1 (breaking it down, see?)
   • Special task 1
   • Fun task 1 (don’t need to reminded of fun, right?)
2. Diet and Workout
   • Diet shopping
   • Jogging
   • Gym
3. Writing
   • Prep 1 for next MS (manuscript, like who doesn’t know THAT?)
   • Plan for fan-fiction story
4. Reading
   • Finish and review Ove

As I see it, I start on a new category of tasks today. Remember folks, it’s all about balancing your priorities.

If you have a bunch of things to do and you are sharp and alert when you start them, go through them round-robin. That’s the easiest and not-so-dullening way to accomplish them.

Another important thing is balancing all your priorities. Say you have one huge thing due by the next day. You struggle with it all night. But then, the next day you find out that your milk has run out because you did not go shopping the previous day. So, you gotta balance your ‘categories’. If one thing is taking up your entire time, just pause and intersperse it with small tasks. Balance.

Good luck to me and you! Have a rockin’ day! 🙂

11:17 pm

I’m very sleepy right now. So, this will be a simple update.

1. Office
   • Resolve current issue in Task 1 : Done, but, not perfect (+5 points)
   • Special task 1 : This hasn’t even been started (-10 points)
   • Fun task 1 : Other people haven’t started on it (-5 points)
2. Diet and Workout
   • Diet shopping : Did that! (+10 points)
   • Jogging : Yes! (+10 points)
   • Gym : No (-10 points)
3. Writing
   • Prep 1 for next MS : No time for this! (-10 points)
   • Plan for fan-fiction story : Same story (-10 points)
4. Reading
   • Finish and review Ove : Finished (+10 points)
5. Miscellaneous
   • Planned for career growth (+15 bonus)

Total = 50 – 45 = 5 points

I mean, what good is that? Seriously, Priya! I am super-angry with you. Seems like yesterday’s lesson hasn’t sunk in yet.

Lesson of the day : Balance different kinds of priority tasks. And, never EVER forget previous lessons.

Lots of self-directed anger,

PPD

W-Log #1

8:00 am

Hello to all you wonderful people!

I’m starting a new category of blog posts called W-Logs. They are, by definition, WordPress Logs. They will be my new calendar of productive tasks for every day moulded into an achievement/failure framework. I am so very excited about these!

Let’s face it. We’ve all tried post-its, diaries, to-do notes, planners, and paper lists for planning out the tasks for the day. I’m trying this method right now, after having failed in every other one.

All hail IISuperwomanII for her Vlog channel which gave me this idea!

Today’s List

1. Office
   • Task 1
   • Special task 1
2. Diet and Workout
   • Workout at home
   • Food prep
   • Diet shopping
3. Writing
   • W-Log #1
4. Home
   • Laundry
   • Clean room

Since my biggest problem with sticking to my plans is laziness, I’ve decided to make my plans themselves simpler. Easy, don’t you think? Na-huh.

Everybody goes wrong with that one. They think they are deciding such few and easy-to-do tasks. But, really, those are complex, depend on other factors, and simply drag themselves along into the next day. Thus, messing up the next day as well. The trick is breaking them down into small, SMALL parts of tasks which are rationally completable in one day.

Let me see how my trail run goes today. Bye for now! I will finish this post at the end of the day! Cross your fingers for a good result!

Great day to you guys!

9:16 pm

Okay, I’m back! Let’s see how I fared today.

1. Office
   • Task 1 : Poor execution (-5 points)
   • Special task 1 : This hasn’t even been started (-10 points)
2. Diet and Workout
   • Workout at home : This was done perfectly (+10 points)
   • Food prep : Also, perfect (+10 points)
   • Diet shopping : Missing one item from my list (+7 points)
3. Writing
   • W-Log #1 : Check! (+10 points)
4. Home
   • Laundry : Could have done more of it (+7 points)
   • Clean room : Double the planned amount of cleaning (+10 points) (+5 bonus)
   • Shopping : Got a few things for my room (+2 bonus)

Total = 61 – 15 = 46 points

Not too bad for a first day. I want to see lesser of a negative score and more bonus points.

Lesson of the day : Break your tasks down into parts for a more satisfying outcome.

See you tomorrow!

Love,

Priya

PS : If this is really weird to people who think they are intruding upon a stranger’s life, please ignore this category of posts. I will still update my regular posts in this blog.

PPS : If you are like me and want to live your organised life goals, watch out for more tips I will add in these posts.

PPPS : I will not elaborate on my tasks, especially those for the office, because, you know, there has to be some boundaries.

 

 

 

Finding Heart

Hello you guys!

I know I quit the blog for a while now, and I just posted a story last week (again, quoting that I’m really not coming out of hiatus). But, I can’t help it anymore. I am coming out of my break, having accomplished close to none of my hiatus-goals.

Seems depressing, doesn’t it?

Only, it’s not.

I have never loved myself or my life more than right now and I wanted to spread that very love over here on WordPress. Hell, I’d missed this!

I’d missed writing for no reason and actually resented my own book for streamlining me into boredom. I know it really is not boring, and I know that I actually have a piece of my heart etched into the plot, the characters, and the story line. But, I was sick and tired of forcing myself to write for my mind (which wanted me to focus only on my book). Now, I want to write for my heart and for the poor souls reading my ramblings.

Because, you know what? At the end of the day, all that matters is whether you spent that day following your heart or being prudent.

Can all of you swear that your entire day has been about the love you had for the activities you had carried out? I’m sure that most of you would frown and shuffle the topic away if I posed that above question.

That’s okay. I won’t be mad. I would react the same way.

As human beings, we are set in such discipline that survival, earning a livelihood, responsibilities, pride (yes, pride), and self-imposed rules all matter very much and influence even involuntary thoughts.

Have you really laughed out loud when you type ‘LOL’ into a text message? No? I didn’t think so. Then, why do you type it at all? It was force of habit and nothing else. You are hardwired into giving that reply.

Next time (when you actually have the breathing space for it; not when you are in an all-important hurry), question yourself. Live the moment as you see it happening and love the mystery of it all.

The human emotions.

The involuntary reactions.

The sudden gasp of horror at a slipping coffee mug.

Things like that.

There you will see the Heart in it. The Heart in everything you do and say and every way you choose to behave.

Love yourself.

Love,

Priya

PS : Totally random, and slightly insane. Definitely involuntary. I love it!

PPS : This is the kind of act I’m talking about! 😀

When Life gives you Lemons…

Hello everyone,

This is the sober post I was talking about in the previous post here.

(inspired by Real Life Events)

Everyone learns this proverb in middle-school English.

When Life gives you Lemons, make Lemonade!

I know of it for years now like everyone else. But something changed my perspective on this one recently. I’m not saying I disagree with it; I just take it to mean more profound things.

What is Lemonade?

From what I gather, Lemonade points to something sweet and delicious. When life is sour to you, find the sweetness in it and put the Universe to rights as you’d prefer.

What are Lemons?

Sticky spots. Split-second decisions. Anything that pricks you in the process of happening.

But, think of situations which seem dire all around. I do not need to quote examples here. Because everyone knows. That feeling of profound helplessness. That day which you never want to re-live again. That empty hollow in your heart. That throat-drying fear. That croaky voice with which you whisper rapid prayers. Those moments from which you were salvaged. The Saviour was not you. You did not find Lemonade. You merely wasted away till He came.

What if you are handed those Lemons again? Where do you find the Lemonade then?

I say this.

When Life gives you Lemons, make Pickles.

Pickles are sour and sharp. Pick up one of them every once in a while. Make things right.

You do not wish to face the same Lemons again, do you? Suck on one of the Pickled Lemons for ages. Learn the things which brought you the Lemon. Re-live the incident in your mind. And learn. Memorise the things which were your fault in the whole incident. Stew the taste in your mouth.

NEVER let it find its way to you again.

Build your sunning stand for the Pickles.

And you’ll fly far away when Lemons find you again.

Love,

PPD