Colour codes, lists, and what even is reality?
It’s a year in review kinda, but not really? The stuff that worked and didn’t work, whether or not it’s longer or shorter term than a year. It’s a reminder to me, too, so I can look back at it and think “oh ya.”
Oh. Ya.
Oddly enough, 2024 did not do a perfect break from 2023, DESPITE a brand-new agenda. Weird, right? Might have happened to you, too (solidarity). Might happen again with 2025 (more solidarity).
So, all the stuff from 2023 bled into 2024, the most notable of which was mom’s summer of 2023 off-the-cliff tumble into dementia. But, in 2024, she moved to a great home, and she’s actually look forward to Christmas. So now life is less like struggling through molasses, and more like wading through slightly solidified Jell-O.
Which means more brain space, even if a part of my heart is continuously dedicated her way (although, let’s face it, it always was!)
So everything I write here, every bit of wisdom, is really since summer of 2023, since life exploded and bills don’t care lol. And all that wisdom and know-how was built on years of previous experience (much like you, why am I even writing this sentence omg).
Maybe some of this will help you. Maybe it won’t. Take what will, pass it on, leave the rest behind. 💖
Here’s a list of stuff I think I might have maybe learned, or at least I currently feel like I’ve learned:
Lists are amazing. And it’s not just the reason this info is presented in a list! For some reason (I ain’t always the sharpest knife in the drawer, okay?), I always kept all my to-dos in one list. Now I split my lists off into Freelance, Writing, Marketing, and Business. I can go on more about these later and what’s under them, but it’s made a world of difference.
Colour-coded time blocking. Omg. Where has this been all my life? Each of the four “list” categories are represented by a color, and each day, I decide how much time I dedicate to each colour block, and work my way down the list. If something is due now, it takes priority. Otherwise, I dedicate the targeted time and move on. It’s been a game changer. (I love colour coding so much!)
Realistic goals. Okay, who am I? This is the girl who’s sometimes like “hey I’m gonna write a whole ass book this week and BOOM I get it done.” And sometimes I still do that. But I have clients and family and I enjoy breaks. So now I try super hard to be realistic (using my very special definition of realistic).
Realistic? See above. I figured out, and continue to figure out, what is actually realistic for me. “Deep work” tasks take a lot more brain, so get prioritized when my brain is at its best (never the afternoon. My brain usually strikes in the afternoons). Business tasks (invoicing, email, etc.) take less brain, so I’ll often throw on a background show and just let my brain relax (knowing how your brain relaxes helps, too). Then I get loads done without frustrating my brain to breaking point.
Know your breaking points. Kerri often says “the only way out is through!” which is applicable to so much of our lives right now. But we have strong respect for “step away from the ledge,” as well. If you push until you break, recovery takes a lot longer, meaning everything will take longer. Sometimes you can do more, sometimes you can. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to back off when you need to. If you can’t, take care of your mind and body. Small breaks count, too. Not everything has to be done to the max or perfectly. 💖
Not everything has to be done to the max or perfectly. I just wanted to highlight that. Because if you’re bristling at this and you have a hard time getting things done…well, think on it.
Switch it up! I’ve been following my brain rhythms more, so I’m not always banging my head against my keyboard (bad for brain and keyboard), trying to get out words. If I’m having a Not Full Brain Day, then I still write, but I don’t expect miracles.
My brain likes to frolic. Some days I visualize my brain having a lovely time in a flowery field somewhere (it’s not allergic like me, because no nasal passages). I don’t fight it, but I do still sit down to write (all casual-like), and start to poke. Then my brain usually rolls its eyes and joins me.
Butt in chair never gets easier. It doesn’t. I’ve been at this for over a decade. It’s the toughest part. Always will be. No good news there. I leave my phone upstairs, turn off Internet access for my computer (I use Freedom), put on some funky lights, sigh heavily, and get writing. I want to make my full living from my words. So, gotta write. (WTF, right?)
Tomatoes! Pomodoro means tomato in Italian, so now I just scream that all the time. If you still don’t know what I’m talking about, Pomodoro is a productivity technique where you work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. Rinse and repeat. There’s lots of info and a distressing amount of apps out there, but when things are the biggest slogs that ever slogged, this helps me get started, and it usually gets me to the finish line, too.
They don’t just buy your books (WTF). You know what makes money from writing (if you have books out, especially if you have indie titles like I do)? Promotional efforts. And there’s no “one-shot effort, this will work forever” promo out there, to my knowledge. It’s continuous learning and trying. Often, you’ve also gotta spend some (reasonable) money to make money. That’s what I’ve found, but it’s worked (some stuff has worked. Not all stuff). It’s bad news, I know. But, good news: Something usually works for everyone, as long you’re willing to be honest and put in the work.
Money is nice. I’m currently making about 2k a month just in royalties. From just one series (not under my name). Ha. I got there by finding something that worked (Facebook ads), and then stubbornly sticking with it, doing the work (weekly!), and not giving up.
Giving up is so easy. It’s so easy. And skipping a week, a month, even a year, is not giving up, FYI. Deciding never to do it again because it’s not perfect, it’s been too long, it’s too hard…that’s giving up. And it’s all so easy. And, here’s the thing: it’s also okay.
Quitting is okay. I’ve always given myself permission to just walk away from writing if I didn’t enjoy it anymore (not for just a day, or week, or month (writing can be a slog), but for like, I dunno, I’ve never gotten there). But I’ve always known when to leave jobs, so I assume this will be the same thing. Having that permission makes me get the writing done more easily, somehow. It’s not a “I must do this,” but rather “I want to do this.” (I could state “I must do this” and it would be true, but my head balks at things I must do and so it wouldn’t help me. My brain is a rebel.)
Focus. FOCUS! Focus activities, promotional efforts, brain space…instead of trying to do All The Things, try one at a time. Give it the time to bloom and flourish (usually about three months for me), then move on once you’ve tried to do it well. Do. Not. Try. All. The. Things. Then nothing gets done. I’ve always found I’m further along for focusing efforts on doing one thing well, then I am for trying to do all the things (mediocrely) at once.
Finish stuff. I… this one’s important. Adding it here.
My best work is done in my office. I used to write in coffee shops all the time, but they just don’t work for me anymore. I work best in my cozy basement office, with my stuff, all my files, and my desktop and two screens. Unlimited coffee and pretty lights. The more I travel, the more I leave my space, the less I get done. So, you know, note to Future Marie on that.
Goals actually help. I just found this recently—to my surprise, I’d honestly forgotten—that at the end of 2024, my goal for 2025 was to make 2K/month. And here I am, making that much per month (with about 3-400 ad spend per month). Every quarter, I make a list of goals. I keep it flex so I don’t get discouraged when I don’t meet my goals, but at least I have something to target.
You can’t do it alone. I was struggling with Empire Breaker until I went on a week-long writing retreat with a bunch of writers who inspired each other by, you know, writing. Obviously that’s not something that can be done every week (boo!), but it does bring home the point that we can’t do it alone. Online friends, in-person friends, communities that work for us, coaches…they all provide something much needed. Writing is solitary, sure, but doesn’t mean we can’t benefit from others.
You can’t do all the things. I’m just reminding Past Marie? I do a lot. I know I do a lot, and I’m a high energy person (surprise!), so generally it’s okay. But if I want to accomplish my writing goals, something else has to slip. I’m going to personally do fewer volunteer things (I like helping), and focus more on things that mean a lot to me and I get a lot out of (like Can*Con!)
But you should do important things! Writing, sure, but also resting. Eating good foods. Moving. Crafting. Hanging out with loved ones. Keeping your mind sharp(ish). Your body functional(ish). Rested. Alive. Happy. Those are important. I’m crawling up my 40s, and my body is like “ha ha ha you’re not 30 anymore SUCKER.” Which is okay. It’s a good reminder that the body is a super important part of writing, too.
Follow your joy. In writing. In reading. In creating or consuming. Stop saying “I should…” and start saying “I want to…” Follow your joy. Anything else can suck your energy dry.
Okay, I could keep going, and if you made it here, you get a gold star ⭐! I hope some of these are helpful.
Follow your joy, my friends. I’m cheering you on, to 2025 and beyond! 💖🎉
