Writing as therapy / Happenings In The Outhouse 31-May-2019

For me, writing is therapy.  No need to lay on a couch and talk with a shrink.  Writing, like reading fiction or Scriptures, is the best therapy for me.

If you have been following my blog for a considerable time, you'll know that my wife was diagnosed with leukemia back in 2011.  Eight . . . long . . . years ago.  She's still cancer free, but a variety of illnesses bring her down from time to time, not including she gets tired very easily.

Which brings me to May 19th, just a few weeks ago by this point.  My wife hadn't been feeling well for several months, despite going to frequent doctor appointments, with a distinct yellowing in her skin.  On this fateful day, she grew rapidly disorientated.  By the next morning, with the help of my in-laws (her parents), we brought her to the doctor, who advised us to admit her to the ER ASAP.  What they discovered was an elevated level of ammonia.  Her kidneys and liver were failing, due to an infection (UTI), but it could be reversed.  She spent most of that week in the hospital, where she received the best medical care.  She had no memory of the events of the 19th and 20th, where she exhibited her odd behavior.

What does this have to do with writing?  Doesn't this sound a bit selfish for me to think about my writing when my wife was severely ill?

Not at all.  Her needs came first.  At the same time, however, I had to take care of myself.  With a severe lack of sleep, my stress level was probably off the charts.  I rested when I could.  Then, I set out to heal myself.

Enter: writing.

I am currently writing a new story.  Originally, I planned on punching this story out in about two weeks.  Well, it may be a little longer.  Not much, but I delegate what I need to delegate (at home) and I'm setting aside more time for my writing--ahem, I mean therapy.

Managing your time, even as you manage yourself / Happenings In The Outhouse 06-Sept-2019

It's vitally important to manage your time.  And managing your time shouldn't take a back seat to managing yourself--meaning, your health or the health of others.

If you find yourself in a stressful situation, look at what needs to be done and what you should do, and use the "kiss" method: keep it simple stupid.

Delegate where you can.

Sometimes it's okay to sit back and watch a movie or TV show, or even read a book--for us writers, reading may be better, but there is power in watching a movie/show.

Right now, I'm dealing with the health of my wife.  I won't delve into much detail here, but needless to say it's stressful.  But I have the absolute best relatives and friends who have been helping out where they can.  A few Sundays ago, after my wife was taken into the hospital (for the third time this summer!), my son and I went to church.  Upon our return, we found friends who were in the process of mowing our lawn.  They probably would've finished if we stayed after church for coffee and bars, and then I would've been wondering what happened to our nicely-manicured lawn.

I am in the process of writing my first YA book, and I am a little over 2,000 words into it.  It's going well, even though it's going slow.  And the reason it's slow is because I've had other things to deal with.  As of this writing, we're in the process of getting my wife into a skilled nursing home (yes, a nursing home at the young age of 47, mind you!) for the short term.

Again, I must repeat that it is vitally important to manage your time deliberately.  What is important to you?  Write it down.  Then, schedule them, even if it's only for a few minutes.

The Power Of Delegation / Happenings In The Outhouse 08-July-2022

You come up with a great product.  It starts to sell, either slowly or skyrocketing, it doesn't matter.  As your business grows though, you need to start delegating.

Why?

Because you can't do everything.  You just CAN'T!

Steve Jobs didn't do everything at Apple.  He handed those tasks off to those who were best suited.  The same thing with Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and every entrepreneur who has come up with a great product/business.

Even small businesses that only has one person running it (thinking of the local plumber, electrician, auto mechanic, or lawn care owner) may have to delegate certain tasks to others.  I've touched on this topic before, but some recent events urged me to bring it up again and expand on it.

Some may feel the need to be in control of everything.  Don't do it.  It limits what you and your business can do.  If Steve Jobs felt the need to do all of the accounting and also mow the lawn and empty the garbage cans each night, Apple wouldn't be what it is today.  Even as an author myself, I know there are tasks I can hand off to others so I can focus on what I do best.

If what you do best is the creative part, let others do the rest.

Your Worth / Happenings In The Outhouse 29-July-2022

How much are you worth?

In the world of "doing everything yourself", does it truly pay to do everything yourself in the long run?

Some mundane tasks may seem easy enough, like mowing the lawn or shoveling the driveway or changing the oil on your car, but if someone else could do those tasks for you, how much time could you devote to your next project?  An hour here and there adds up over time.

"But, Mark, these things cost money.  I simply can't afford to have someone else do everything."

I get it.  I really do.  I've been so broke (many years ago) that my checking account had a negative balance more than it did a positive one.  I recall the days when all I'd have for lunch are ramen noodles.  Been there, got the T-shirt.

But a little bit here and there pays off in the end.  I have a guy who mows my lawn (truth be told, my mower broke down and it was a hassle to try fix it, since that's another task I'm not real good at: fixing engines).  Now, my lawn gets mowed weekly, and it's trimmed nicely.  It's kept up and I don't have to devote the hour or two each week to do it.

What tasks can you delegate to others?

What more could you accomplish by doing so?