Expect the Unexpected
Last week I talked about setting goals and breaking them down into pieces that you can track by time, a count, etc. I also stated that if a goal fell below 75% complete for the week, I would note why. I also add in a buffer knowing life happens.
My unexpected interruptions are a few hours and only a day usually. However, I was already having intermittent computer issues when I posted last week. What I did not expect was that it would take until Friday afternoon to be back to where I was before the issue occurred on the weekend. Other than getting my post up for Monday, I lost the rest of the week. I squeaked in some beta reading using a tablet while waiting for things on the desktop to process.
It turns out an update caused some conflict with the computer, so it locked up and it did not have a proper restoration point. I should know better being ex-IT, but I thought the program did a restore point before you checked for all the updates and optimized. Anyway, I know better now. I did not lose much and what I thought I lost, the important ones had been shared on social media or through emails where I could still access them and download them. I only lost last week’s post out of my Scrivener, but I could copy the text and paste it in.
This leads me to possibly adjusting my writing schedule out a week, but that isn’t all that bad because I gave myself room. We’ll see where I am at the end of the week and adjust from there.
If your life feels suddenly derailed, take a moment to breathe and then tackle the first step to get it back on track again. You may have to stop a few times so you don’t jump into something when your current step is waiting or the problem requires further assessment of what to do. Most of us hate waiting when we want something fixed. I know I do. However, stepping back for a quick breather, even when you know the next step, can help if emotional levels are not in the right place for a calm continuation.
I can thank God for what I’ve learned about my self-control before this ordeal. I still have things to work on. Trials are the best way to self-assess even if you never expected your day or week would be ransacked by one.
I pray you are ready to handle the next unexpected and have the support you need for it. I would love it if I could sincerely pray that you don’t have any for a set time, but I know that won’t be the case. Something will come up. Stay strong and if you find yourself crumbling the same way every time, it may be time to ask God what about ourselves that may need fixing and haven’t dared face yet.