From Swimming Log to Writing Log
By Val
@valmnz (17100)
New Zealand
September 28, 2015 4:05pm CST
I've given myself one more year to get my first draft researched and written. I'm well and truly on track at the moment, but need to keep motivated. Sometimes reflection comes up with interesting ideas.
When I was a competitive swimmer, I kept a swimming log book, outlining goals, daily progress and overall achievement. I've decided to transfer this skill to my writing and so have created my writing log book to keep me on track. So far it's working better than I expected.
I've also returned to my blog, Down at the Baths, where I started to track my journey through this project of mine. It's been neglected since May, but hopefully now, by including it in my log book goals each week, the blog will start gathering momentum.
Log books work for me when it comes to goal setting. What works for you? Do you set weekly goals to see you through parts of life that need to be organised?
13 people like this
11 responses
@arthurchappell (45004)
• Preston, England
29 Sep 15
Your swimming history sounds fascinating. I keep diaries and to do lists that serve some of the functions of a log
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@arthurchappell (45004)
• Preston, England
29 Sep 15
@valmnz That helps, if the research is interesting it makes the rest of the work more enjoyable. Researching something that doesn't grab you would be a struggle
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@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
29 Sep 15
@arthurchappell fortunately I've never put myself in the position of writing or researching anything on a large scale that I'm not passionate about.
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@allknowing (130088)
• India
30 Sep 15
I am happy that I just get charged into doing things and for which I have no explanation.
It is interesting how you have transformed your swimming into a story that will soon unfold.
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@besweet (9431)
• Greece
28 Sep 15
If the log book has helped you with your swimming goals and was important in your improvement, it'e something that can work for you in every goal with a little adjustment. When it comes to goal setting, I think that keeping a regular schedule also works for me. If I do the part that I need to do before the deadlines, I will continue my program. If I miss a deadline it is harder for me to find motivation and cover for the lost time.
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@besweet (9431)
• Greece
28 Sep 15
@valmnz Yes, I am a last minute person as well when it comes to deadlines. I prioritize tasks based on my time schedule and if there is something more urgent, I put everything aside and manage the most critical task. When I have time for the deadline, I get lazy and don't complete anything.
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@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
28 Sep 15
Never done that, about the only time anymore I have clear writing goals is in November, I know how much I have to write per day to be done with NANOWRIMO.
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@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
29 Sep 15
@valmnz Going to need it this year, normally I can sneak write at work, to keep up my word count, wont be able to this year I dont think.
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@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
29 Sep 15
@Jessicalynnt when I used to write fiction I often thought I'd have a go. Glad I have an excuse not to now. Guess we won't be seeing much of you in November then.
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@gregario888 (1276)
• Aurangabad, India
29 Sep 15
A superb idea-a writing log! It surely is worth giving a serious try. So far the writing effort has been pretty unfocused. it might help put in some coherence.
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@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
29 Sep 15
Glad to know that the log book helps you. I don't have a particular goal-setting technique, but I usually have a similar routine that I follow everyday. So that pretty much helps me to make sure I complete the tasks that are supposed to be completed.
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