The BRIGHT SPOT Awards: Q2 in Review

V.O.: 

Previously, on The BRIGHT SPOT Awards...

M.W.: 

Hopefully, time begets more time.

Perhaps giving myself the year to finish the challenge will let me be in the world again and opportunities for connection can come to me instead of me having to chase them down.

V.O.:

She thought that less pressure and more hours in which to do the work would yield more work.

She was wrong.

Very wrong.

Setting The Scene

I was caught up with my blog posts.

One temp assignment had ended. I was holding off on taking more on until the condo was finished and I found a new tenant. 

My schedule was my own, and the next portion of my project would come together with great ease.

Ha.

The Pendulum Needs a Push

I gave out 25 awards in 39 days last quarter. I gave out five awards in 68 days this quarter.

"Just letting things happen" turned into "nothing at all happening". Shockingly, people did not approach me in droves, and opportunities for award-giving did not rain down from the sky.

A small contribution of energy is required in order to keep the object swinging.

If Only I Had More...

It's a beguiling concept.

Imagine all the work we could get done if we only didn't have this day job, or these commitments.

My dear wise writer friend Jana summed up the hilarious truth when I mentioned that my vast savannahs of time had not translated into reams of writing:

"That's the biggest lie writers tell themselves! We don't write. We just feel guiltier for not writing because we have more time."

She added that setting aside a block of time to achieve a specific goal can help you stay on track, like taking a weekend away to write 10,000 words. And if a writerly retreat isn't in the cards, 15 minutes a day will do the trick.

The Takeaway

Intentionality is the keyword.

I can intentionally greet people with openness, gratitude, and kindness. BRIGHT SPOTS thrive in that environment.

I can schedule my time with intention so that it doesn't get filled with wasteful activity or whatever random thing grabs my attention in the moment.

Onward and upward.