Are you living your best life?

For about a year now, I’ve narrated short stories for Onyx Publications. This came about after the creator of the online magazine heard me read one of my stories in a writer’s group for critique and published my short story, Just Start. I was also asked me to narrate the other published stories (those the author didn’t want to narrate themselves). I didn’t understand why anyone wanted to hear me read to them, but it seemed like fun, and I accepted. Overall, the experience has been positive. I’ve learned a lot about narrating, and I’ve bought special equipment and turned my walk-in closet into a “recording studio.”

Roughly 3 months ago, at the encouragement of others, I auditioned to narrate an audio-book, a young adult galactic fantasy called INFINITY DRIVE. I was a little hesitant because I don’t read (or even like) fantasy/space stuff. But the small publisher was having a hard time casting the book, so I had a good chance of snagging the role. I told myself this was my way of paying for my writing career, and this would be the jump start I needed. A novel, right out of the gate.

I auditioned. There were a few different voices in the audition, two of which were little creatures with “high-pitched, squeaky voices.” It was a stretch, but I kind of liked the challenge. I submitted the audition material (a sample recording) and got the part!

Over the next few months, my excitement faded. Turns out, there were about 20 different voices in the book, including 3 “creatures,” 2 Native American men, and 2 androids. And I wasn’t prepared for the complete time-suck recording and producing a professional audio-book would be. My anxiety skyrocketed. If the book had been the only thing on my plate, I would’ve been fine, still frustrated because audio is hard with a steep learning curve, but it wouldn’t have been nearly as bad. But I had tons of other things to do. Tons. During the holiday. I shouldn’t have auditioned. I enjoyed aspects of it, and I got attached to a few of the characters, but it was a huge mistake.

Well, I finished it last week. And turning my audio files in felt great.

I do hope the author enjoys my interpretation of his book, as I gave it my all, but I won’t be narrating another audio-book anytime soon.

I want to focus on my own writing. Speaking of, I should have my edits done this week! And I’ll send the book off to my beta readers (those who will read the book just to make sure everything makes sense after adding new scenes and such)!

The sad thing is, my book would be done by now and probably on its way to the agents who are waiting for it if I hadn’t taken on too many projects.

Motivate:

The INFINITY DRIVE experience taught me a severe lesson: be intentional with my time. I took time away from my family and my own projects because I just didn’t plan or even think. I had to tell my child “no” night after night when she asked me to read her Harry Potter (something I’d been doing nearly every night before bed) because I had to save my voice for the audio-book. And I had to rush out of her room to start recording at night when the house was quiet.

I should have thought the whole project through before making the rash decision to take on such a huge project. I should’ve examined the impact it would have on the rest of my life.

To avoid what I did to myself, and as you think about your new year and your own goals, spend some time thinking about what you want to happen in your life and what you want to accomplish.

Make sure your goals are realistic. Decide what’s important to you.

Before you accept a task or add a task/goal to your list, ask yourself:

1.      Is this something I really want to do?

2.      How will I feel if I do this? (Proud of yourself? Frustrated? Angry?)

3.      What do you gain by doing it/what are the benefits of accepting? (Healthier life? Money? Prestige?)

4.      What do you have to give up for it? (Time? Relationships? Money?)

Use your answers to decide whether it’s worth it.

A wonderful friend and writing support recently called me out on splitting my focus. She told me I had taken on too many things, and she was frustrated with me because she believed I was wasting my potential. It was exactly what I needed to hear. And she was exactly right. I knew it, but hearing it out loud, and from someone else, really woke me up and got me thinking about how I use my precious, precious time.  

When you try to do to many things as once, all your things suffer. Living intentionally and focusing on what you can realistically accomplish, might mean letting some things go.

Hard, but necessary.

Medical Moment:

A friend of mine and fellow-writer, Meredith Lyons, recently asked me for medical advice as her mom was experiencing a set of frustrating symptoms that she felt weren’t being properly taken care of by her medical providers. In the end, her mother got the care she needed, but it took way too long, and she suffered unnecessarily, in my opinion. Meredith decided to write her blog about the experience, Agism and our Broken Medical System.

Meredith quoted me in her post, so for today’s medical moment, I’ll direct you to her blog. After you finish this newsletter, hop on over and read: Agism and our Broken Medical System

It’s an interesting read.

Meredith used this picture of me in the OR, back during my first years of Neurosurgery. Makes me miss the OR a little.

As you move into 2022, and you begin thinking about those “resolutions,” don’t set yourself up to fail by listing a million things that can’t possibly happen. Be intentional. What do you really want in life?

Spend time thinking about what will get you there.

One task accomplished will make you feel a whole lot better than a list of failed ones. And it’ll save you a whole lot of stress; take my word for it. (My guess is you’ve already been there.)

I’m taking a deep breath, completing my commitments, and I’m not going to take on anything else until I evaluate exactly what it means for my life.

Next week, I’m going to dive a little deeper into “resolutions” and how you can keep them.   

Happy New Year!

And as always, much glitter,

Melissa

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