Monthly Archives: December 2010

What if I’m not ready?

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I’ve been begging, pleading, and praying for what may be coming at me. And I’m writing this with Eminem playing in the background, because I’m that much of a drama queen:

Feet fail me not
this may be the only opportunity that I got

In the past month, a few opportunities have come my way, cracking open the “songwriting” door a bit further–the door to getting my songs out there or whatever that means. And, when I sit back and think about these opportunities, my mind reels with what-ifs and how-tos and what-in-the-worlds. And then come the have-I-lost-my-minds? Granted, nothing may happen from any of this. But, something may.

I can’t help but worry that I’m gonna blow it. That I’m not ready, not prepared, and don’t have what it takes. What if I show up for that co-writing session and he starts talking song concepts and phrases and chord progressions and I just embarrass myself with bad ideas? Or what if I email her a few songs and she realizes I’m more talk than talent? Or what if I sit down for that mentoring conversation and she begins to think I’m not worth the investment?

Through all of this, y’all have been a most supportive community. But this time, I need to find a way to cheer myself on… Instead of filling the comment box with disagreements, help me disagree with myself. Tell me this: how in the world I can stop thinking these things? Because I REALLY need to stop thinking these things. The clock is ticking. These doors won’t stay open long. And, come January, I need to be brave enough to place my hand on a handle or two.

The secret to successful New Year’s Resolutions.

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Remember that “I am” post where we filled in the blanks: I am _____. And I should be _______.

Well, this is about the “should be” part of that. A lot of us are already dreaming up a new version of ourselves for 2011. And, while we’re all in that mindset, I thought I’d share with you my secret to successful New Year’s Resolutions.

I’ve been chewing on the whole fail-factor for quite some time, wondering why in the world those wonderful resolutions hardly see the light of Resurrection Sunday (aka: Easter)… I mean, if we say we’re gonna do something, why aren’t we doing it? For the past two years, I’ve set pretty high songwriting goals and in a few weeks I will be able to say that I achieved both of them.

<insert voice of someone trying to sell OxiClean> These two whole years of goals obviously make me an expert on how to have a successful Resolution! So, in all my “expertise” I’ve come up with some factors that have helped me actually achieve in 12 months what I’ve set out to do at the dawn of a new year:

  1. Make it worthwhile. (If you hardly believe in your goal, you won’t waste your time on it.)
  2. Make it memorable. (You’d be surprised at how many people forget just what exactly they’ve said they’re gonna accomplish. Case in point: Can you remember your goal for 2009? Or even 2010?)
  3. Make it simple. (Ornate complicated goals feel like a complete life overhaul. How possible is that?)
  4. Make it achievable. (If we even for a moment think it’s impossible, we will lose momentum… Or worse: we won’t really try.)
  5. Make it practical. (Abstract, undefined concepts like “I want to be a nicer person” don’t get very far. They just don’t. I’m sorry.)
  6. Make it measurable. (If you can’t keep track of progress, you will start to feel like you’re getting nowhere. This is all about maintaining momentum. Think “forward motion.”)
  7. Make it doable. (Mix a little of #5 & #4 together in a blender & you have a pretty good picture of what I’m getting at here.)

“It’s that time of year, when the world falls in love and” sets New Year’s Resolutions! Hopefully, these tips will get you geared up to really do something next year. So, act fast while supplies last! Make a small goal–a small change. But, wait! There’s more! A lot of small changes add up to a big change. What’s yours gonna be?

NOTE: I just found this article listing a few online goal-tracking services. VERY helpful. I’ve used one of them myself before. http://workawesome.com/goals/online-goal-tracking-tools/

Please make checks payable to Amanda C Thompson. Cash and C.O.Ds also accepted. Just kidding. Thanks for reading the fine print!

How to get here from there.

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  1. Clearly, and with as many details as are necessary, identify where “there” is.
  2. Consider where “here” is.
  3. Assess the route, distance, and time needed to get from here to there.
  4. Make note of any directional changes, obstacles, or detours.
  5. Decide what form of transportation is most suitable.
  6. Allot the necessary time needed to make this journey, while considering your desired time of arrival.
  7. Without hesitation, set off on course, and don’t consider turning back.
  8. Frequently review your list of directions, assess your surroundings, and maintain awareness of your constantly updating location.
  9. Maintain forward motion and be patient. It takes time to get from here to there.
  10. When you have arrived, make note of the fact that you have arrived. Announce and/or celebrate your arrival. Cease forward motion. Take your shoes off and rest.

TIPS: With everything in you, avoid any distractions or allurements that may draw you off course. Decide to only commit to any stops or course alterations if they benefit in helping you achieve arrival at “there.” Make these stops and course alterations as needed, while continuing to assess your ever-changing location in reference to “there.”

NOTE: People who set out without prepping or planning usually get lost.

Where’s your “there?” How are you gonna get “there?” Are you facing unnecessary distractions or hindered by obstacles? Ask others to help you. Keep moving.

I am…

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“The unexamined life is not worth living.” ~Socrates

Here’s the thing. If we don’t really assess our lives, we won’t accurately judge how we’re doing as Children of God. Won’t know if we’re living up to our potential… Or if we’re fully functioning in the gifts and talents that He gave us… We also may not recognize what areas of our lives need to be chipped away, as iron sharpens iron…

I think we shy away from talking about our strengths because we don’t want to brag. And I think we shy away from highlighting our weaknesses because, duh, who wants to do that?? But, the thing is, most of us are our own worst critics. If asked, we can quickly come up with a laundry list of things we don’t like about ourselves. Some of us have a harder time honestly recognizing the good within us.

This is not about pride or humility. This is about making an accurate assessment of who we really are (see Romans 12:3). So this is what we’re gonna do. We’re gonna have another anonymous post, but one where we complete the following sentences in the safety of this community, and in the anonymity that this offers at times:

I am __________________.

I should be _____________.

Leave the anonymous info as you’re filling in the boxes (anon@anonymous.com works fine) or you can claim your identity as you comment. Just let it go right here. I already have some ideas for what might come of this confessional.