Transformation in a Second

Photo by Diane M. Dresback

Hoping you all enjoyed some delicious turkey during Thanksgiving. This year we cooked Beer Can Chicken! It was the most moist chicken I have ever had and no beer taste :)

A few days later, I finally released myself from my desktop computer after working on a big project for the last several weeks and jumped back onto my laptop. Yay, freedom! It’s so nice to cut the chains from my desk and go elsewhere to write. As most of you know, I work well in local coffee shops as many people do.

I haven’t had much opportunity to do that over the past 22 months due to living in that tiny south Texas town. 

Over the years I’ve grown to put up with the coffee smell — actually, I can’t stand coffee! As my drink of choice is being prepared (hot non-fat Chai tea), I try to snag one of the few roomy, cushioned seats because it’s going to be at least a 4 to 5 hour stint. I fire up my Mac, log on to Pandora and set up my headphones. By the time that prep is done, my drink is ready and I settle in.

But before I start working, I go through this amazing little transformation. As soon as my headphones are on, suddenly I no longer hear all the chatting, coffee machines and other superfluous hubbub. I still see a large room full of bustling activity, but music instantly changes everything in my world. It’s like being transported into the inside of a movie. I sit listening for a couple songs just observing all that is happening around me while my own private soundtrack is playing. It is surreal! 

Is it just me or do other people experience the same feeling?

After this transformation, I fall into what some call “the zone.” A place of total focus on the task at hand. When you don’t notice how much time has passed until you suddenly look up and realize it’s been way longer than it felt. 

The book I’m currently working on is about getting things done. It has been a good one for me to write because it has reminded me of successful (and not so successful) steps taken in the past for finishing projects. 

So many of us have lists of things we want to accomplish. Some big, some small and many in-between. Things we feel obligated to do or ones that have big “should’s” in front of them. Then there are those that are more passion driven. Regardless of how the project gets into our head, often we experience feeling overwhelmed and fearful. We feel there isn’t enough time and we procrastinate. 

I have felt all of those things myself, more than once. Which is exactly why I wanted to write about them. Have I mastered absolutely all the challenges and excuses? Well no, but I have found some ways to move forward. To not get mired in inactivity. And believe it or not, if you feel stuck, you can work through it as well by getting your mind in the right place, making some small adjustments and taking those all important steps.

As I work through the final edit and put finishing touches on this book — which is yet to be officially titled, I have you all in mind as the New Year approaches. The time when so many people make those resolutions for positive changes, yet find their behavior reverts back to normal by January 10th. 

I’m very excited to share my thoughts on getting things done in the hopes to help some of you to get moving towards your project goals and objectives.

Thank you for reading today and I hope you have a wonderful and stress-free holiday!

If you know others who would enjoy these thoughts, share this Blog with this easy link:  Transformation in a Second

You can stay up on the progress of my novel and filmmaking escapades and receive a free book by subscribing to my Newsletter. 

Find details about my books at dianedresback.com and my filmmaking at mindclover.com.