Mondays present a formidable challenge, but Wednesdays hold the honor for the longest slog of the week. You may call it Hump Day, but for me, it is Work Until You Drop Day. Ok, that title isn’t very succinct, and it certainly isn’t clever. What do you expect from an over-worked, stressed-out brain? Creativity is in short supply on Wednesday. The routine is rigorous and not for the untrained. I hit my desk early, fire up the laptop, strategically position the coffee pot close to my trusty cup, and dive into my day.

I hammer away at spreadsheets, import data, manipulate formulas, sort, analyze and summarize, tie it with a pretty bow, and send it to the project’s distribution list. Lunchtime passes without a break, daylight dims, my colleagues sign off for the day, and I continue to fill in missing pieces. The last task of the day is sending messages for information, confirmations, and clarifications needed to complete the segment and stay on target. It is past my normal bedtime when I decide I am too tired to make even one more decision. My bed calls, and I answer.

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 297 (countable) words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Some days, despite your best efforts, nothing feels like it is going in the right direction. Pushing your team, encouraging them to keep up the outstanding work, and assuring them we will meet our targeted completion date is exhausting. It’s even worse when you doubt your team’s ability to live up to your expectations, but you can’t allow them to see your concern or smell your fear. There are so many variables. Will they cave from the pressure? Can they rise to the challenge? Have you covered all contingencies, properly accessed the unknowns, and mitigated suspected risks? Lists, details, the big picture, the outcome, and the project’s success or failure rests on one person’s shoulders. No pressure here.

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 552 (countable) words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Week 12 of 2021 is off to a busy start. The day started with back-to-back meetings, a barrage of text messages, and an inbox methodically logging incoming emails like a metronome. My manageable list of this week’s expectations suddenly expanded into what now appears to be a Sisyphean task. Here I thought I reserved a spot on a nice relaxing float down a lazy river, but I’ve discovered I’m booked on a hair-raising, scream-inducing whitewater rapids ride, and I have forgotten to pack my water wings.

Time to pivot, regroup, call in the backups, devise an alternative plan, strap in, improvise, and hope for a brilliant solution. The best course of action in these situations is maintaining a sense of humor, relying on your team, and having fun. Yes, fun. Nobody likes a bunch of screaming cry babies whining at the amount of work they need to complete. You could complain, or you can decide to revel in the excitement, savor the adrenaline rush, and appreciate your frantic breakneck speed. I opt for enjoying the madness and letting everyone wonder why they can’t be on my team.

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 450 (countable) words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Yesterday, I nursed a migraine hangover all day. It is unlike me to throw my schedule into the trash heap, ignore my To-Do list, and wing it, but when you are the boss, you can make executive decisions without prior approval. I switched off the alarm clock and laid in bed long past noon. I ignored the shocked faces when I refused to cook, tossed a delivery menu to the family, opened a bottle of wine, and puttered.

They thought I couldn’t hear their whispers. When I entered a room, bodies scattered, and I found myself blissfully alone. I might have napped in my chair as I listened to the birds sing outside my window. The house fairies were very productive. They magically completed tasks without being reminded one thousand and one times. I capped the day with a warm bubble bath and a book in bed. Perhaps I should add a monthly entry for these sorts of activities to my To-Do list.

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 239 (countable) words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Yesterday I woke with the same dull ache that started before I went to bed. I insisted it would not ruin a perfectly gorgeous Spring kickoff. I went for a walk, took my medicine, worked in the garden, steamed through my weekend chore list, and attempted to quiet the jackhammer in my head. By early evening, I realized it was a battle I would not win. Lights blared in my eyes. But wearing sunglasses at night isn’t really a thing. Feeling nauseous and tired, I put myself to bed.

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 448 (countable) words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Friday came too soon, and yet, not fast enough. What do you expect when you have two red-letter days in one week? I love St. Patrick’s Day. We enjoyed fabulous food and a nip of whiskey to keep the chill away from the bones. Doctor’s orders, I swear. On Saturday, Spring arrives with the promise of sunshine and warmer temperatures. I’m sure there is some bit of gardening that needs doing.

I am still working on my class material, plodding along, fitting the work into odd pockets of time, and making slow progress. There is no grade for this course, and nobody expects perfection. If you invest time and money, then it’s best to finish what you start. It is why they created weekends, so we can complete what didn’t get done all week. I can’t wait to finish so I can return to my favorite project. That will happen soon. Go slow to go fast, they say. I’ll let you know if it is true.

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 512 (countable) words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

I am still working on fitting my class into a packed schedule, feeling the pressure from the 9 to 5, and attempting to starve off the horrid tendrils of a migraine that wants to shut everything down. Thankfully, we are sliding into a weekend where the forecast calls for pleasant weather for Springs’s arrival. The countdown calendar ticks away not days but mere hours until we can kick winter to the curb.

Hello Spring. I am ready for rain, blustery gale force winds, signs of life, and warm sunshine. I will soon sleep with my window open to let in the sweet air, filled with inspirations for me to catch as I dream. My garden’s fragrant blooms promise to return to remind me of grand gestures, the first blush of love, and the thousand possibilities waiting on the horizon.

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 384 (countable) words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Daily demands never lessen, and when I need to do something for myself, I often shoehorn it into my schedule. I have been wanting to take a specific online class. But in the past, I didn’t register because I used faulty logic to rationalize my busy life as a valid reason to pass on the opportunity. This time they offered a significant incentive, so I paid the fee and decided I would have to make it work. Learning new skills always comes with a price, and I am paying with sleepless nights and hand cramps.

Unfortunately, some writing is better suited to pen and paper than our high-tech keyboards. This course lends itself to old-school handwritten brain dumps. So far, I have accumulated ten pages of vital information, along with some Word. Docs I haven’t yet completed. I committed to late nights, early mornings, and letting a few tasks slide, but I find myself struggling to stay current with the daily assignments while attempting to sustain my everyday routine. It doesn’t matter. I am loving the class, and I am shoveling countless tips and tricks into my toolbox as fast as I can. Pass the coffee. I’ve got homework to finish.

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 331 (countable) words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Exhaustion and feeling tired are common themes this month. I decided to throw in the towel and go to bed early. But not before I completed my number one priority for the day.

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 477 (countable) words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

I hate the change to Daylight Savings Time. Spring ahead, fall back, get straight, go forward because it’s not too late to go back to bed. Maybe I worked too hard this past week, or perhaps the weather change is affecting me. The temperature dropped twenty degrees overnight. When I ventured out from under my feather comforter, I regretted my choice. We are back to snuggle and sleep weather. Those silly forecasters are calling for 3 to 4 inches of sleet and snow accumulations for Monday.

Whatever the reason, my writing sessions were not productive, and all I wanted was to sleep. The words didn’t come easily. My mind wandered, and I fidgeted in my chair. The chair is uncomfortable. I plan to invest in a pretty ergonomic replacement, but yesterday, I could not sit still. So, I adapted, and  I took more frequent breaks, and when I finished my work, I stopped and found other more exciting activities. We are entitled to a few off days, occasionally. I had hoped to accomplish more at my desk, but I didn’t stress about my lack of focus or my struggles to form coherent sentences. It happens. In honor of the stupid time change, I went to bed early. It can’t hurt.

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 432 (countable) words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer