Day 3 is done and I’m starting to notice a recurring pattern: having to adapt to unexpected at first. I’ve never had a problem with a bit of fluidity in my schedule due to obligations or the need to stay adaptable, but Goal 2 “having a clear daily plan and deadline goals to meet,” has put in perspective how often things pop up.
All three days this month didn’t get off to the start I had hoped for due to someone else. Old friend dropping in, my ISP going down, and then today I got a call from the bank about an issue of an employee mistake and I had to come down to settle it. I’m not upset honestly, since part of being a leader at any level from President down to a Burger King manager means having to work around someone else’s lack of foresight or simple human error.
These things happen, and while they definitely make me have to move some scheduling around on the fly this has given me two unexpected benefits of #NoNothingNovember. Namely that I shouldn’t get into the habit of sticking to a to-do list to the letter and that even down to family and friends people rely on me far more than I’ve noticed.
Given the sharp contrast I’ve started recalling some times in the past where out of either a sense of obligation for previous help or generosity or some other notion I have more than once made the choice to help or acquiesce to others when I already had plans. Nothing serious like missing out on the birth of my daughter to play basketball with a friend, but more than once I’ve planned to get some yardwork or reading done and ended up taking a friend out for a beer after a bad breakup.
Some would say the take away from this is that I should get rid of friends who get dumped frequently, but it’s not that it’s always the same person. It’s simply that out of my crew I am the one who has climbed the farthest out of the muck and look like the guy who “has it all figured out” so they come to me for a hand up when in need.
I’ve always enjoyed helping other men and offering my advice or wisdom when it comes to life, how to be a man, or women. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have started Legends of Men, but I am still only one man and with a wide net of people asking for advice I have to ration my free time more selfishly in the future, less I have none to give to more worthy causes. I’ve never been above telling a man to toughen up when he needs it, but I now know I’ll have to make a concerted effort to cut down my “best effort” to a handful of close friends, and give more general advice in the future.
Herakles has a problem of trying to do it for them, folks. I can lay out the plan for them but sometimes it seems like it’s easier to just say “Here, let me do it for you.” even though I can’t be that guardian angel (devil) on his shoulder, or the dick in her. I give them too many details when it comes to the ones I know fuckup frequently or feel need the extra few steps planned out. I do it out of love of course. I want the best for my fellow man if I can help it, but the adverse effect is that it leads me to constantly changing schedule for people who need me.
Old Herk has been neglecting his sense of self. So, without being indulgent, I plan to remedy this by putting myself first no matter what. I always stick to the mission but it takes me a bit longer sometimes because I stop to play Good Samaritan at every fork, ditch, and sign in the road.
Other than the bank and some roadwork holding me up, everything was on schedule. I had allotted myself enough margin at each task where applicable that if I needed an extra minute for a bathroom break or being stuck in traffic, I’d still make it. The only concession I had to make was make my brainstorming for NaNoWriMo during my shower and my exercise, which actually saved me about 15 minutes more than I needed which I then put back into actual writing.
Given that I’m in monk-mode for the month I’ve prioritized writing like Illimitable Man’s DT and the ilk over game advice and find myself absorbing it pretty well. I’ve read the barebones of his writing before, not from lack of interest but knowing that outside of TRP sidebar which was necessary for posting, everything he wrote about would require quite a bit more time and reflection to internalize. I’ve always had a soft spot for theory and delving into the “why” of things, and the internal psychology and “what makes them tick” is something I find interesting. I simply haven’t had the time I knew his writing required to absorb and reflect upon. The implications of Machiavellian actions alone in interpersonal relationships are equal parts unnerving and empowering.
Knowledge is power. However, knowing what they know without letting them know you know? That turns the game of life and relationships from chess into solitaire. Still a bit of chance outside your control, but you hold the cards and know how hands will play.
I made quite a bit of progress with outlining characters for NaNoWriMo. A lot more than any attempt I’ve made in the past month. NoNothingNovember not only got me out of the rut I’ve dug myself, but it made me more productive by a factor of 3, and added two inches of length and girth. Well, 2/3 ain’t bad anyway. I’d tell Strangelove this to his face but it’s impossible without sounding like a kiss-ass.
Blog posts not withstanding.
Again, no porn, no youtube, and I was on twitter about 3 minutes today before I went back to reading RP material. I got caught up, but my refound productivity make it hard to tear myself away from consuming better information instead of Futurama reruns on Netflix. It’s also left me feeling more refreshed and reenergized enough that after I finish this I’ll be going for a late stroll just to burn some energy. So, today’s grades are
1) Foregoing of mindless media consumption. 10/10
2) Having a clear daily plan and deadline goals to meet. 9/10
3) Exercise and write everyday. Period. 10/10
Daily Total: 29/30
Yesterday’s Total: 27.5/30
Total To Date: 83.5/90
Legends of Men 