Is the first of the month significant to you? I often see the first as a time of new beginnings—an opportunity to change direction with my book promotion or step it up, start or finish a project, do some spring cleaning (physically or mentally), etc. When the first comes at the first of the week or, as it does this month, following a holiday weekend, it seems even more significant and meaningful to me. The signaling of a beginning phase, period, cycle, etc. can become a powerful incentive to accomplish or complete something.
For me, the first of the year isn’t the only significant point of motivation or even reflection. I accept and utilize them all throughout the year. How do I make them work for me?
The first of the month or the end of the month might become deadline dates. I sometimes look at Mondays as a good starting point for new client work or one of my own projects. Birthdays or other events often become jump off points, as well. Maybe I’ve been involved in planning for or celebrating a special milestone or preparing for and taking a trip, for example. Once it’s over, the party is put away or I’ve downloaded my vacation photos and unpacked, rather than continue a project, I usually start something new.
I try never to leave anything unfinished before an event or a trip. And I pace myself. I know how unhappy I can become when there just isn’t enough time to accomplish everything I want to. So when I see something coming up on my calendar that is going to distract me—take me away from my work—if possible, I will shift gears. I might set the book I’m writing or revising aside and scurry to complete some client work (which always takes priority with me, anyway). I may spend a busy week promoting one of my books rather than attempting to write amidst distractions. I might submit articles in between tasks outside of the office.
This month, the first is on a Tuesday—but it is the beginning of the work week. What a great opportunity to start something. For me, however, the next two days are filled with distractions, so a new project would get little attention. I am looking at Thursday as my starting off point this week. This is also my birthday month (and it is a big birthday), which will undoubtedly come with added distractions. I am already planning my month to include client work, my book revision work (it’s easy to start and stop) and time spent promoting Catscapades, True Cat Tales. I’ll be teaching a couple of my online courses (join in with us) and, of course, there is the ongoing monthly work—writing the Market Update for the SPAWN site, shipping books, writing my daily blog in hopes of enlightening, informing, educating and entertaining you while, of course, handling those daily inquiries and other challenges that come up in a busy office.
What about you? Is June 1 significant to you this year? Will you chart a new course for yourself or reorganize your workload? Will you start a new project or, perhaps, hire an editor or a publicist? Or is this just another Tuesday to you?