The Social Freelancer: Media, Music, TV & Film

The thing about obstacles is that they will always be there. Sometimes the obstacle is something lurking in the shadows, sometimes they are smack in front of you in a glaring light. No matter how much money we make or power we gain, for most of us, there is a desire for something “more” or something “new.” As long as that desire exists, there will be someone or something in the way, an obstacle to achievement.

Whether you want a greater understanding of God, a new car or just a new pair of shoes, there’s always an obstacle.

Uh oh... small problem... photo courtesy NCWpics.com

Waking up to a mental list of tasks, agonizing over opportunities missed, juggling work and home life AND time to write consistently for this blog, it all gives me a headache! As an entrepreneur (freelancer) I constantly struggle with “time management”. How do I keep groceries on the table, and pursue tasks that are closer to my own personal visions for the rest of my days? The only ANSWER I know is – Keep working on it. It’s easy to let the multitude of tasks and commitments at hand get the best of us, if we let it.

Wait a minute!

There are many great articles written from a practical business standpoint which address this issue. Most boil down to some simple ideas:
1. Make lists of tasks and then prioritize: Work on the most important things first.
2. Give yourself credit for small things, simple tasks completed. Pat yourself on the back when you reach small milestones. Many people are waiting for the BIG GLORIOUS VICTORY before they give themselves any credit. Sometimes that victory never comes. Don’t worry about it, celebrate small victories as they happen.
3. Schedule specific times for specific tasks. Like this blog, I schedule every Wednesday evening and early Thursday mornings to complete at least one post a week. It’s HARD, amidst everything else in my life, but I get it done because I have it SCHEDULED.

There is an interesting and in depth post this week from Entrepreneur Magazine – Read it here > 10 Time Management Tips that Work

“I am guilty of a dreadful selfish crime. I have robbed myself of all my precious time” – Robert Earl Keen

READ ON – Great Songs and Quotes: TIME Read more…

I did a lot of needless yapping before realizing this simple truth: People don’t pay much attention to what you say, all that matters is What You DO.

Lauren's Flowers, Photo by Tracy Ready

Want to be a writer?
Start writing.
Want to be a painter?
Start painting.
Want to be a photographer?
Start Shooting

Now you are one.
The Rest of the Story >>> Read more…

I had a horrible dream last night.
Riding in the very back seat of a passenger van on a two lane blacktop highway at night, I looked up to see that I was the only one in the van. No driver, no other passengers and the van was starting to veer off of the road. I struggled to unstrap myself from the seat so that I could somehow climb over all the seats, get behind the wheel and save myself from certain disaster. I woke up sweating. When I told my wife about the dream she pointed out how symbolic it was for my life at this time. Strange, I couldn’t even see the symbolism until she pointed it out to me.
The rest of the story >>> Read more…

I like my doctor.
Why? Well he’s a nice guy, plus he’s chubbier than me, so I don’t feel so guilty about my expanding middle aged girth! He’s a realist. He told me once that he wouldn’t tell me to not have a beer or 2, maybe 3? …once in a while. He said if he told me not to I might run into him at the concession stand at the Dallas Mavericks basketball game and see him walk away with a cold beer and some nachos. He’s no hypocrite.

What did the doctor say?

It’s not what you do some of the time that matters, it’s what you do ALL the time.

I said “huh?”
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