August 26, 2024 – Focus on Completion

I was listening to a podcast quite awhile ago. I cannot even tell you which podcast and with whom the interview was with. Horrible, I know. But was resonated with me from that podcast was the idea of not focussing on “getting things started” but to focus on “getting things done.” This idea is lingering with me so much so that it seems somewhat difficult to understand until I have completed something. Just a few days ago, I submitted a chapter on behalf of a research team I belong to. We were accepted to the book with minor revisions and it feels great to have made the appropriate changes with the support of my colleagues and submitting it on time. We were acknowledged for handing it on time and I just made a small tweak today in response to one change request in formatting my one of the editors.

You have no idea how that feels. It’s not quite the feeling of a successful doctoral oral defence or submission of my dissertation. That feeling is almost equal to “giving birth” to my bub. I was chatting with a colleague the other day and we made this correlation. I was feeling very validated that afternoon. It’s so true. Writing a book review, manuscript, or chapter is more than getting as assignment done, but rather the conception, development, and birth of an idea that you are willing to share with the world. Writing and research is almost an act of love. I have other successes like completing my course syllabi early for the fall term and making bookings with guest speakers and places. My planning is going very well.

This weekend, I also made a drum. I was focused on being in a “good place” and trusting the process with self-compassion, patience, and love. Ahhh… we are back to that word again. LOVE. And, I just came back from an overnight trip with Koh Learning. We stayed at a farm in Vanderhoof, BC called the “Willow Roots Guest Ranch.” I loved the people who own and run the place. I did forget to buy eggs (I’m a little bummed) but we finished some intensive planning and tonight I finished some online asynchronous website training (of which I procrastinated a year). I spent about 8-hours on the website training. It’s not my type of learning, but I got the task done to the best of my abilities. And that’s it… to the best of my abilities.

That’s all I can ask for. Do my best. Do what I love. And, get it done!! The feeling that comes from completion is like no other and I’m noticing those feelings. What I am also grateful for is, I have plenty of projects to get done and I am engaged in several conversations where I am getting some projects started. I am definitely motivated to sign up for some more courses at the Two Rivers Art Gallery where I had made my drum and other beading projects. I am also motivated to getting more manuscripts, book reviews, and chapters written. I have my research agenda and other projects of interest to work from. I feel very grateful to the work I get to do and I learn a tonne. And sometimes, learning is not easy but it has to be done.