But what I'm finally learning after 36 years is that there's always shit to do. There's always something that should take priority. And sometimes, those things really should take priority. But other times, tasks like writing this today, must take precedence because it's important as well. Important not just to me as a creative, but important to me as an aspiring business owner who desires to grow organic reach through the creation of quality and informative content. You see, priority doesn't necessarily mean done for tomorrow, it can be tasks that matter for next week, next month, next year.
So today's priority is writing. And after that it'll be organizing some thoughts. And perhaps even some more writing. But for this day I'm not placing time constraints on myself. Because frankly I can't. It's been a rough week in the Barnes household because my TBI symptoms have been flaring and I've continued pushing, much to Shawna's chagrin. But I also don't want to sit and do nothing because as mentioned, I have tasks to accomplish. Many of them in-fact. Some, like the woodshed and firewood, preferably before snow flies. But it also doesn't do me any good to continually antagonize my brain to the point it forces me to shut down completely.
Another tidbit I've learned and am working to truly understand, is the principle that there's never truly a good time for many of the wants instead of the needs. And this extends to everything from hitting a workout to having children. However, that begs that question of how we properly classify a want vs a need. In the example about, is going to the gym a want or need? That may depend. While I'd contend everyone, including those with otherwise physical jobs, should workout a couple days per week, another may classify that differently. If you're a construction worker or a member of the park service crew who hikes into remote locations to fix trails, going to the gym may classify as a want. If a person works in a cubicle 50 hours per week and spends another 5 traveling back and forth, I'd argue workouts are a physical need. The same today goes for my writing. I could classify doing this as a want. However, as mentioned above, content creation is important not just for my mental health, but for future business endeavors as well. That, in my book, classifies as a need.
Once you've established whether something is a want or need, it's time to understand where it lies on your hierarchy. For me currently, firewood and it's surrounding tasks are near the top. But today, and perhaps only for today, writing is at the top. Because the stronger I am mentally the safer and more efficient I'll be with those tasks. Would I always have taken this approach? No. Frankly, I've often had a fucked up take on what I thought were needs but again, as I've gotten older I've learned a few things.
And with those words, I'm done with this task. And it feels great to be sitting here, having written for the first time in months, a screen full of words that began as unorganized thoughts. And all because I made doing so a priority, even though I had other shit to do.
