Romancing Your Passion:
Make Time for What Drives You

What are you doing with your time when you’re not at work? Eating and sleeping aside, are you putting as much time into making your passions and your dreams a reality as you are into someone else’s bottom line? I know experts say we should all get our seven to eight hours of sleep, but I’ve found that some of the most successful among us average much less. Are you falling asleep on the job when it comes to your life dream—catching z’s when you should be making g’s? Maybe that’s an exaggeration, but you get the picture.

I’m a new mom, and I’ve found that my “days” don’t usually begin until after 9 or 10 p.m. after the little one’s in bed and I’ve had a chance to eat and wind down from the day of work or play. Within the past six weeks, I’ve taken back my nights and begun to use them as my time for writing, planning and following up on plans. It’s made a major difference in my life as a teacher, writer, mother and wife. And it’s made me feel like I’m grounded again, like I have something to offer the world. It feels good.

I find that I personally go through highs and lows, bouts of drought and creativity, but it takes a real focus and a clear plan to stay refreshed through those dry periods. So, pull out your calendar and notebook and set some goals for the remainder of the year, if you haven’t already. Even writing down and establishing one per day is a start. I have a list of “2006 Writing Goals” hanging on the wall in front of my computer. It includes eight simply written statements of what I’d like to accomplish for the year. I’ve completed one and at least two others are “in the works,” so it can work.

What’s your passion, your dream? Show me yours and I’ll show you mine. Have a productive day (or evening, or night, depending)!