Okay guys ,you know I said I needed a job like yesterday but the thing is, in a way it has been affecting my writing. The last article was in a bus and so is this one. Did I also mention I live in Lagos? So imagine how uncomfortable it will be... But I just have to try, especially for you guys.
This is the fourth month since I started the job and I'll tell you, I'm still figuring it out. Let me tell you about the job ; it's a facility management company and to be honest, the job is just me (I'm mostly in control of everything that goes on in my apartment and building)... What I mean is, it's my everyday life ;I'm the help desk - I take request from a resident and it's not something that is strange to me even though it's my first time working for a facility company. The thing is, the building (which is also my office) is on the Island and I stay on the mainland - anyone living in Nigeria would know how crazy Lagos traffic can be which means one have to be at the bus-stop as early as possible. But then, Lagos is very rough especially since I'm a lady, don't have a car (salary is not enough to buy one considering I have other responsibilities )yet... The salary is not great but I've been at home for a year plus, I had to get out of the house! In other words, apart from the job fitting me perfectly, every other thing is not so great (I'm trying not to be ungrateful).
Anyways I'm not here to rant about my new job, I'm just trying to discuss with you guys (I'm pretty sure I'm not alone - it's a damn struggle ) so we could figure out how to balance this work and writing thing. I'm supposed to have concluded writing on my dating experience since last year but look at me now. So right now, we not just going to discuss how to balance this but come up with a plan.
Wake up early
Okay now this is very important, it also means early to bed, early to rise (it depends, especially if you don't get enough sleep - quality over quantity) . Have you not noticed when you don't get enough/good sleep ,you feel tired, unfocused and cranky (oh I know I do). So if you get good sleep, you feel energized to face anything; your nine to five and writing.
Discover you best time to right
Some people are their best at night while some are at their best during the day. So pick a time of the day that is appropriate for you to concentrate and write. Since we really talking about a nine to fine job (though some work shifts - this still applies to you) ,I'll tell you what I do -well still trying *smiles* ; like I said earlier in this article, I'm writing this in a bus and in Lagos, due to traffic, one has to leave their home on time so they could get to the office on time. Sometimes I don't get so early so my only option is to write in the bus...for now till I know how to balance it perfectly.
Fix a schedule to publish
While you fix a time to write, you should also fix time to publish. If you have a regular time you publish, your readers will get accustomed to the schedule ;if it's daily, three times a week, on weekends... Just be consistent with it. Like now, this article is taking me days to write due to inconvenience in the bus, work stress, hormone stress (I'm not pregnant but ladies I'm sure you get it) ...But if you have some schedule it helps you plan ahead of time and keeps you motivated.
Get some exercise
This is very important whether you want to be able to balance work and writing or not. It is the best energy boost. Though in the beginning, you might feel sore,depending on the type of exercise you are doing, you'll begin to see the benefits. You don't have to exercise like you are contesting for Mr or Miss Universe, it could be a light jog, long walks, skipping, cycling (like me that usually have knee pain)... Just move, even if it's for 30 minutes every day.
Get enough sleep
I can't overemphasize this, just like exercise, sleep is very important .if I don't get good sleep, I get really cranky and my whole day would just be shitty. Which also applies to early to bed, early to rise... Like imagine going to bed late and maybe you need to pee and wake up earlier than you used to, you'll go back to sleep ...therefore you wake up late than usual which means you have to start rushing to prepare and believe me that can get you disorganised - you won't be able to do your usual writing routine since you will probably be late for work and you'll be trying to catch up.
Don't wait to write the perfect article
This is one of the things I'm struggling with;waiting for the right /perfect article. The truth is, if you don't write anything, there won't be an article to determine if it's perfect or not. Besides,nothing is perfect (is there really a perfect article? - just write!). And for you to land the "perfect" article, you have to keep writing -practice they say, makes perfect. So don't wait, if you have something on your mind that you possibly don't feel like sharing with anyone, put it in writing. If there's is also something you would like to share and feel it could help someone, write about it as well.
Don't waste your time
Time as they say is of the essence, don't joke with your time,make sure you utilise every second . And as they also say "time is money", even though in this part of the world, they barely appreciate time or value people's time - you have to value yourself and keep adding value to yourself, it will take you a long way. And make sure every second you use is taking you closer to your dreams. I also know as writers, we experience "writers block",when you feel like that, spend time doing other important things - if you are at work, focus on giving it your best, if you are at home, spend quality time with your family and friends,listen to music, watch a movie, take a walk, exercise...just don't be idle.
So my friends, though this is how I feel we can balance our work and writing life, I'm sure there are more - feel free to share in the comment section. Though i battle with all these listed above,i believe I'm getting there, I just need to be consistent and more discipline ,I hope you all do the same as well.
Till my next article (only God knows when that will be), stay inspired!
This is the fourth month since I started the job and I'll tell you, I'm still figuring it out. Let me tell you about the job ; it's a facility management company and to be honest, the job is just me (I'm mostly in control of everything that goes on in my apartment and building)... What I mean is, it's my everyday life ;I'm the help desk - I take request from a resident and it's not something that is strange to me even though it's my first time working for a facility company. The thing is, the building (which is also my office) is on the Island and I stay on the mainland - anyone living in Nigeria would know how crazy Lagos traffic can be which means one have to be at the bus-stop as early as possible. But then, Lagos is very rough especially since I'm a lady, don't have a car (salary is not enough to buy one considering I have other responsibilities )yet... The salary is not great but I've been at home for a year plus, I had to get out of the house! In other words, apart from the job fitting me perfectly, every other thing is not so great (I'm trying not to be ungrateful).
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Wake up early
Okay now this is very important, it also means early to bed, early to rise (it depends, especially if you don't get enough sleep - quality over quantity) . Have you not noticed when you don't get enough/good sleep ,you feel tired, unfocused and cranky (oh I know I do). So if you get good sleep, you feel energized to face anything; your nine to five and writing.
Discover you best time to right
Some people are their best at night while some are at their best during the day. So pick a time of the day that is appropriate for you to concentrate and write. Since we really talking about a nine to fine job (though some work shifts - this still applies to you) ,I'll tell you what I do -well still trying *smiles* ; like I said earlier in this article, I'm writing this in a bus and in Lagos, due to traffic, one has to leave their home on time so they could get to the office on time. Sometimes I don't get so early so my only option is to write in the bus...for now till I know how to balance it perfectly.
Fix a schedule to publish
While you fix a time to write, you should also fix time to publish. If you have a regular time you publish, your readers will get accustomed to the schedule ;if it's daily, three times a week, on weekends... Just be consistent with it. Like now, this article is taking me days to write due to inconvenience in the bus, work stress, hormone stress (I'm not pregnant but ladies I'm sure you get it) ...But if you have some schedule it helps you plan ahead of time and keeps you motivated.
Get some exercise
This is very important whether you want to be able to balance work and writing or not. It is the best energy boost. Though in the beginning, you might feel sore,depending on the type of exercise you are doing, you'll begin to see the benefits. You don't have to exercise like you are contesting for Mr or Miss Universe, it could be a light jog, long walks, skipping, cycling (like me that usually have knee pain)... Just move, even if it's for 30 minutes every day.
Get enough sleep
I can't overemphasize this, just like exercise, sleep is very important .if I don't get good sleep, I get really cranky and my whole day would just be shitty. Which also applies to early to bed, early to rise... Like imagine going to bed late and maybe you need to pee and wake up earlier than you used to, you'll go back to sleep ...therefore you wake up late than usual which means you have to start rushing to prepare and believe me that can get you disorganised - you won't be able to do your usual writing routine since you will probably be late for work and you'll be trying to catch up.
Don't wait to write the perfect article
This is one of the things I'm struggling with;waiting for the right /perfect article. The truth is, if you don't write anything, there won't be an article to determine if it's perfect or not. Besides,nothing is perfect (is there really a perfect article? - just write!). And for you to land the "perfect" article, you have to keep writing -practice they say, makes perfect. So don't wait, if you have something on your mind that you possibly don't feel like sharing with anyone, put it in writing. If there's is also something you would like to share and feel it could help someone, write about it as well.
Don't waste your time
Time as they say is of the essence, don't joke with your time,make sure you utilise every second . And as they also say "time is money", even though in this part of the world, they barely appreciate time or value people's time - you have to value yourself and keep adding value to yourself, it will take you a long way. And make sure every second you use is taking you closer to your dreams. I also know as writers, we experience "writers block",when you feel like that, spend time doing other important things - if you are at work, focus on giving it your best, if you are at home, spend quality time with your family and friends,listen to music, watch a movie, take a walk, exercise...just don't be idle.
So my friends, though this is how I feel we can balance our work and writing life, I'm sure there are more - feel free to share in the comment section. Though i battle with all these listed above,i believe I'm getting there, I just need to be consistent and more discipline ,I hope you all do the same as well.
Till my next article (only God knows when that will be), stay inspired!