Running from the clock and deadline; the collection of procrastination and sudden urge to complete chores. It’s running of the mouth and pointless scribbles till it looks like progress. You can even run away with another idea, or fantasy you crave to daydream and research for.

Why did I randomly research about the Maldives? No clue!

But at least it wasn’t the one thing I was determined to complete today.

This goes beyond the “Oh, well let me just get this little blog done before bed and wait for sleep to consume me for more fun adventurous dreams”. We are looking at the overall escapism from the overall project. Let’s be honest, all of us, at some point crave that escapism — heck some of us dream and plan our next three vacations during work!

Yet the escaping is distracting, ultimately undermining your dreams and drive; when will you stop running away.

Better yet, why are you running away?

Charting Your Course

A common reason for running is a general feeling of overwhelm. This could be a result of time management, or increasing life friction. To add the seemingly impossible goal of creating your next masterpiece on top…

Well, don’t let that chorale of negative voices win. This is the Frog and Elephant of it all; one bite at a time, and usually load the most pivitol decisions first to make the most of your days.

Eat the Frog first thing in the morning!

Best way to eat an Elephant is one bite at a time.

There are a lot of resources that can elaborate on how to identify your Frog. When you look into preparing your Elephant, you are essentially breaking down your plan into parts. Before we can even make our map in the direction we want, we need to know what we are looking at.

Right now, I’m looking at a solid first book about ready to head into cutting through the next series of events. I can go there, or review the initial read and edit it beforehand. But none of that will be possible if I don’t finish transferring the handwritten to the screen. So obviously that comes first… even if the anticipation of it is filled with tediousness. As well as the impulse to have something on in the background, which would make it even more of a black hole of time and mind.

My Frog? Typing. My Elephant? Opening the damn computer. Then putting on a CD. Doesn’t matter who or what, just something to keep me company as I then type.

Once in it, I will be fine. I’ll stop dragging my feet. And writing for the length of the album is a set period of time. When I’m done, I’m done! Yes I will want to reread what I finished, but you can only sit for so long. Also, staring at a screen for too long isn’t good for your eyes. Use your best judgement.

Trunk, Toes or Tail next?

After having the whole thing in one place, then I can do the thrilling trip to Staples or Walgreens to have it printed out in one whole bound project. Like the Unnamed Project, the weight of the pages does help get perspective on the flow of the piece.

Another bite.
Read through once for fun.
Bite.
Read through with pencil and stickies.
Yet another bite.
Pull out the Highlighters and Colored Pencils to the side as I review NaNoEdMo notes. ( Will also return with an additional bite with the original site and author name that I studied from.)
Gnaw a bit more on the tail.
Brain dump via drawing. Yes, stick figures are acceptable. If not encouraged! Nothing like indicating a character with a simple top hat or curly hair. You obviously know who it is, let it all be hieroglyphics to others.

At the end of the day, you have to remember to take a breath and get some sleep. You can only do so much in twenty four hours. Your fingers will slip and only gibberish will come out. The best way I can prepare Tomorrow Me, is if I note a few simple things.

• where did I leave off?
• last thought or two I had
• a goal for the next day (tired you will provide more manageable goals than awake you)
• moooood
  

And there you have it! An elephant burger with french frog legs. That will make the next meal easier.

Till next time! Stop running and start mapping.

ProTip: The best maps are the messy, hurried ones on random items. Helps with the treasure hunting experience.