I'm Repeating Myself

“There is nothing more difficult to master than repetition. If you do it badly, it's clumsy, stupid. When it's well done, it's like a little echo, like waves, poetry itself.”

Laurence Cossé, A Novel Bookstore

“Repetition is the mother of perfection.”

Ryan Straten

“If you have discovered a truth, tell it first to a parrot! Every new truth needs an insistent repetition!”

Mehmet Murat ildan

Perhaps I’m repeating myself, but there’s a lot to do today.  I have three appointments that require driving and waiting.  I also want to do the following:

·      Write at least two blogs.

·      Do a radio show.

·      Be on time for my appointments.

·      Read a chapter of The Brothers Karamazov.

·      Read from the Bible.

·      Read a chapter on finance.

·      Read a chapter on writing.

·      Walk for 30 minutes.

·      Make my bed.

·      Shower and shave.

·      Clean up my place.

Because I stayed up late last night, I have less time than I did yesterday, but that’s okay.  I’m kind of excited about trying to complete these tasks.   More important than the tasks, however, are these questions:

·      Is what I’m doing at this very moment moving me closer to my goals?

·      If not, can I eliminate it?

·      If I can’t eliminate it, can I enjoy it?

·      If what I’m doing is moving me closer to my goals, can I do it more effectively?

·      Can I enjoy life and be grateful no matter what is happening?

So far, most of what I’ve written this morning is a repeat of yesterday morning’s blog.  That’s okay.  As Lisa Nichols said, “Repetition is the mother of learning.”

 Zig Ziglar said we have to hear a positive message 37 times, before we start to believe it and apply it.  I have to keep hearing it and saying my own until I’m always doing what I say.  I want to be far more directed with my life than I have been in the past.   Using success as a barometer, I’ve done okay.  I have a job, I’m healthy and I have people who love me.  But what is my barometer of success?   It’s all the things I just mentioned, but it’s also money.  And it’s my house near the beach.  It’s also being spiritually healthy.

Here’s another question:

Will I be able stay focused? 

That, more than anything else, is often my greatest battle.  It’s one I have to fight not only every day, but often every hour of every day.  Still, I’m fighting it.  I’m not watching TV or playing online games.  I’m writing.  All of us have something we struggle with, usually more than one thing.  So I can’t use my ADHD, my schedule, my kids or anything else as an excuse.  There are people with far greater difficulties than me and they get far more accomplished.

One of the tricks to accomplishment is to use my own difficulties as motivators.  For example, how strong can I be against my ADHD?  How focused can I be against my desire to play online games?  Can I defeat my worst impulses and my obstacles, real or imagined?  Can I get things done?  How badly do I want my house near the beach?   Repeating myself may prevent me  from repeating my failures.

It appears that this blog is a combination of a motivational pep talk, a repetition and a reminder.  I’m happy with that.  At least I got it done.  I’m one step closer to my goal.   I’ve put in my morning time and now I can focus on other things.  I’m happy with that, too.  Time is exceedingly short today, and every day.  I want to make the most of it.  I want to Get Started and Keep Going…even if I have to repeat myself.