The Down Side to Achievement Part II

What do we do about the self-defeating side of achievement? 

How do we keep ourselves from sliding completely into an abyss of self-loathing, or, worse, becoming so goal-obsessed that we disregard all other things in pursuit of perfection? 

Here are three ways, of course, because bloggers love lists!

Through hardship to the stars, by Tom & Carol who sponsored my leg in the Spinx 1/2 last year.

1) Identify YOUR levels.

Take some time to say, “this is the dream level.” – for me, this is regular 10 mile runs, marathons, seriously crazy runner-freak stuff.

The Down Side of Achievement

The problem with being a continuous-improvement-junky is achievement. I know, that seems counter-intuitive. We want to achieve, right? We want to get better. I do. Every day I do.

Six miles? No problem!

But once I’ve achieved something it becomes a standard. So today, as I huffed and puffed through 4 miles, reminding myself that running is a habit and I’ve been slack in the habit for months, I kept thinking, “I run 6 miles. Minimum.”

Yep.

Like when I swim. I swim 3000 yards. Period. No less.

How does this happen? High jumpers don’t take a month off in December, gorge themselves on Christmas cookies and eggnog and come back to the bar at 6 feet high. So why should I?

Fiction Location

Hi ya! Just wanted some new visitors to know I post my fiction on a different blog:

http://kasiewhitener.naiwe.com

I've just put up a revision of a short story. Take a look if you get a few minutes.

Glad to meet ya! Be sure to leave a note in the comments introducing yourself!

Hey Man, You're an All Star

Get your game on. Go play. This is for the GUTGAA meet & greet.  

Welcome, new friends! Be sure to leave a comment so I know you've been here!

-Where do you write?

At home, Columbia, S.C. in the "little house" which is the apartment we're staying in while our house is being built. I usually sit at the desk but sometimes I sit on the couch. Boring, right? I also write on bar napkins and scraps of paper, in the pages of books I'm reading and in a red leather journal I carry everywhere. 

-Quick. Go to your writing space, sit down and look to your left. What is the first thing you see?

A window. Dirty blinds and a parking lot beyond. Some empty spaces, a few pine trees, my own CRV "Brando" waiting for me to come and take him somewhere.

-Favorite time to write?

Morning. Early.

-Drink of choice while writing?

Coffee. Preferably iced. It's flippin hot in Columbia.

-When writing , do you listen to music or do you need complete silence?

Music. Lyrics are inspiring. But classical helps me focus.

-What was your inspiration for your latest manuscript and where did you find it?

Gleaming the Cube. '80s skater movie with Christian Slater. Seriously. Main character: Brian. Skateboarder. Punk. Trying-to-be-a-grown-up. Best friend commits suicide. a la The Big Chill. Only I didn't get to see that movie until much later.

-What's your most valuable writing tip?

Revise. Revise. Revise. I've had four versions of Brian's story and am working on the 5th. As he grows, I grow. And when he's done with me, I'll know. 

Writers, Check out GUTGAA. Everyone else, bear with me. Contests are contests ;-)

Feel inspired to answer one of the questions? Do it! You're an All Star, too!