tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-344515420723684505.post6513997415608040434..comments2009-03-15T21:02:35.661-04:00Sandranoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-344515420723684505.post-9517923868550389352009-03-15T21:02:00.000-04:002009-03-15T21:02:00.000-04:00i'm so excited that you are doing so well on the book!! will you sign a copy for me when it comes out?? LOL :) <BR/><BR/>and why not snuggles with griffin too? <BR/><BR/>ps. i miss youKristin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14268288062866316433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-344515420723684505.post-46539373131033951802009-02-17T02:06:00.000-05:002009-02-17T02:06:00.000-05:00I know we are in completely different situations, but I just finished High School and have had a good 5 months to burn over the summer holidays before I begin university, and I have been super disappointed with my own lack of self-motivation. <BR/>I went from being a busy body with never a second to reflect on where the day has gone, to having absolutely nothing urgent that I have to do! <BR/>I made myself a list during my final school exams (what we call in Australia the Higher School Certificate) for what I wanted to accomplish once all the stress was taken away, and I am finding it soooo hard to tick any of them off!<BR/>Simple things like getting fit, writing a consistent blog, writing a story, doing my incredibly annoying vocal therapy exercises while I'm on vocal rest, learn new dialects for my acting- things that with a little persistence can definitely show results in the long term however for some annoying reason I can't be bothered.<BR/>It's so much easier to just sit on the computer and <I>read</I> stories rather than write them, <I>watch</I> amazing singers who inspire me rather than working on fixing my own voice, making excuses about the weather for not going out and jogging around the block!<BR/>Ugh, and it's like a vicious cycle because the more you don't do it, the more you tell yourself you will commit to do it, and yet the more you will also get comfortable with doing what you are not supposed to be doing, and creating a routine around that.<BR/>So your idea to create a strict routine is great!<BR/>Sorry for blabbering so much, I guess procrastination and lack of self-motivation is just so common.<BR/>Knowing that its not so much a personal problem, but one that loads of people experience is an uplifting thing as well. :)<BR/><BR/>I have a tip for writing your book. For me, when I am in an environment that is not so familiar to me like a library, or a location associated with dedicated work such as university in my case, I find that I am much more focused on doing only what i am there for. ie. I pumped out 3 blogs in less than an hour at my brother's house, when if I'm at home I end up on facebook and checking emails and browsing the web and never really finishing what i started.<BR/><BR/>So perhaps if there is somewhere that you know you work well and consistently, that could help, as well as writing when you feel is the best part of the day for you. (annoyingly for me it is late at night when it is absolutely silent!)<BR/><BR/>Ok, definitely going to stop rambling now, but don't feel as if you are alone in your challenges because there are people all over the world fighting the same or similar fight. <BR/>And I hope you never put yourself down for your lack of talent, you have a beautiful voice. :)<BR/><BR/>MaryannMaryannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06013144060860967326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-344515420723684505.post-25778371534619971992009-02-09T22:53:00.000-05:002009-02-09T22:53:00.000-05:00Congrats on your goal progress :) It&#39;s a healthy swing to get into, and I&#39;m glad you&#39;re sharing your story! You were right with helping me ground myself a little more, and my goal of at least having a fabby (fabulous) audition seems a little closer. I missed my vocal lesson last saturday and I felt like crap though, it&#39;s what gets me through the week with (unneeded) drama that goes on at home. I was even more bummed to know that I wouldn&#39;t have a lesson until after valentine&#39;s day weekend (Eugh. I hate that day.) because the studio I study at is putting on a production with the little kids there. Then this morning I left my music bag on the bus. AUGH. &gt;:[ Alas. I&#39;ll wait it out. Best wishes on your journey-- hope it&#39;s going a little smoother than mine at the moment.Kearynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264296646930257232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-344515420723684505.post-21320239593003366152009-02-08T09:53:00.000-05:002009-02-08T09:53:00.000-05:00"Blissipline." Fantastic word. And yay you for finding so much focus and balance!<BR/><BR/>I had a wonderfully recharging holiday season, not because of any plans or set goals but just because I said "I need downtime" and took it! Some fun little bits for a fan fiction gift exchange turned into more writing than I've done in <I>age</I>, we actually put up the big tree for the first time since we moved into the house, and I had a fabulous laid-back time singing at an Italian restaurant a few minutes from my house.<BR/><BR/>At the turn of the year I put my foot down with myself and determined that I'm not going to audition for any more theatre until the website and representation ducks are in a row! It's the only way to get out of the pattern of "I should really get this stuff done-- Whoops, four-month commitment!"<BR/><BR/>Not only is it working -- I've finally stopped procrastinating getting submissions out to agents, and put up <A HREF="http://www.valeriemeachum.com" REL="nofollow">the beginnings of a website I really like</A> -- but it's gone from feeling like I was withholding a reward from myself, to realizing that I'm really starting to enjoy the on-camera side of things (which I've continued to do because the time commitments come in so much more manageable chunks). I never used to take it all that seriously as a career option, but I've finally figured out that I <I>do</I> have a type, and a castable one at that!<BR/><BR/>Which brings me to my primary "blissitude" rule: I'm training myself out of saying "I should have done X years ago!" I've been saying it about moving to Chicago, and about getting into film, but the truth is I should be doing it <I>now</I>, and I am. So obviously I'm doing it right! :-DValerie Meachumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12521352135257689565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-344515420723684505.post-7992877111871165722009-02-08T09:24:00.000-05:002009-02-08T09:24:00.000-05:00Yay! congrats on your goal progress! It sounds like your really getting into the swing of things.I laughed a little when I read what you were saying about your meditation habbits, i can relate all too well! I usually meditate in the evening for about 10-15 minutes but sometimes after 3 I can distract myself get up and do something else and then get frustrated that I didnt last very long. But you right, some is better than none and giving out to<BR/>ones self about it or anything else is not the most productive solution! That's my goal this year, to relax and take it easy on myself a little moreAoifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11786390432466352236noreply@blogger.com