The Benefits of Making To-Do Lists

August 8, 2015January 26, 2017 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 2 Comments

I realize it has been more than a week since my last post and I apologize to my readers. An unexpected hospitalization took me out of commission. Although I’m better, I’m not quite back to full speed. So, today’s post is one I wrote a while back in response to a prompt on lists. Enjoy.

For those close to me, they know I love lists. I’ve been a list-maker as long as I can remember. There’s something innately satisfying about striking through or checking off a task.

The types of lists are limitless. Grocery, spring cleaning, Christmas shopping, books to read, stories to write, blog posts, bucket list, and the, ever helpful, pros and cons list.

Shortly after we married (second marriage for both of us), I discovered a pros and cons list my husband had begun when we started dating! Obviously, the pros won out and 23 years later, we often pull it from its place of safekeeping and enjoy a good laugh. There are many benefits to making lists, including finding Mr. or Mrs. Right.

Benefits of List Making

Our world is often a whirlwind of busyness. In the rush to meet everyone’s needs, we often forget important appointments or feel overwhelmed with to-do tasks. Lists help:

Keeps us on track.
Prioritize, and create a plan of action.
Provide accountability.
Establish goals
Reduces Stress

It’s not always about staying on track. Sometimes it’s about clearing the cobwebs of our mind. Stress-relief is one of the major benefits for list making. With each check mark or line crossed through a task, there is an incredible sense of accomplishment and in some cases, relief. Reduced stress means more Zzz’s and a clearer mind. And, trust me, I need all the help I can get in that department.

Want more information on the benefits of list making? Check out The List Producer.

Having a list at our disposal has never been easier. We all have cell phones and there are numerous Apps we can utilize. I’m partial to the Reminder App and Sticky Notes.

Want to explore the best Apps for list making? You can check out, Forbes – The 9 Best To-Do List Apps for 2014.

Are you a list maker? What are your favorite lists?

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story. And as always, you can follow me on Facebook at SheilaMGood and Twitter @cofcmom.

Are Squirrels Interfering With Your Writing Routine?

June 17, 2015October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 3 Comments

Lord have mercy, the squirrels are loose in Lyman! No, I don’t mean the nut-gathering, fluffy-tail kind. I’m talking about the partying kind. And, they’re having the time of their lives running amok in my brain.

Each morning I sit down intending to write on my novel, blog, or make notes on the story idea that came to me in the middle of the night.

Yet, somewhere between my butt hitting the chair and that first keystroke, the band starts playing.

I’ll just scan my emails first; it shouldn’t take long. In the middle of every email, what do I find? Links! They sound so enticing and I might miss something if I don’t click.

Then, I receive notice from Twitter, “You have a new follower; so and so favorited your tweet…” It would be rude not to reply.

Three hours later, I’ve clicked every link included in the first five emails (I still have two and a half pages left to peruse) and checked out my new followers on Twitter. Before I can’t get through Facebook (damn share buttons) my husband walks in, ” Hey, I have an idea; let’s go shopping then head up to the lake.”

Well, who doesn’t like shopping? And well, I could use a little relaxation.

What about you? Are these beautiful, sunny days feeding the squirrels?

How do you stay focused on writing when FUN is calling your name?

Tips for taming the squirrels:

Make a list of writing projects, in order of importance (deadlines, submissions, contests).
Devote your first hour of the day to writing and nothing but writing.
Schedule blog updates and your WIP on alternate days.
Check email, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Contently only after that first hour.
Buy your husband a golf membership or if all else fails, lock him out of the house.

What about you? How do you stay focused during the summer? I’d love to hear from you. Talk to me. Share the tips and be sure to follow me on Twitter or Facebook.

What Are Your Goals?

October 22, 2014October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 8 Comments

Blogging 201: Set Three Goals
First things first: let’s set some goals and plan for success.

I’ve just begun another course from The Daily Post, Blogging 201. Our first assignment is to review our blog with a critical eye and set three goals.

I began blogging in 2009 after the death of my best friend. Friendship of a Lifetime, became a place to journal thoughts and opinions related to friendship and loss. As I began to write, I decided it was a great opportunity for me to share my journey and thus, Cow Pasture Chronicles was created.

At the time, followers were not my focus, but learning and growing in the craft of writing. I shared things I thought would be helpful to other writers, as well as some of my own fiction, essays and opinion pieces. I was thrilled when I began receiving ping backs, mentions, followers and comments. Now I would like to sharpen focus (brand) of Cow Pasture Chronicles. To begin this process I have written three goals:

1) Post weekly. In the past, I haven’t been consistent.

2) Establish a regular feature by the middle of November. Blogging 101 suggested this, but I haven’t decided which feature I want. Right now, it’s between a weekly feature on, Writing (how-to’s), Opinion pieces (based on current affairs), or a Fiction Gallery (Showcasing not only my fiction but others who wish to share).

3) Network and connect more with my followers by reading and commenting. I have been working on this since Blogging 101, but I can do better. I believe successful networking and communication with other bloggers will foster more traffic and additional followers.

I have additional goals, but this is a good start. Have you set new goals?

How to Get Back in The Game

June 27, 2014April 13, 2018 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

Greetings, from the Cow Pasture; It’s been awhile since last hearing from me. To be exact it’s been seven months.

During the time away, the task of writing seemed overwhelming. Many days I’d feared not only my creative muse had been lost, but also the desire to write.

So, I gave myself permission to stop, if only for a time. To stop struggling with time, blank pages, and a blank mind. I continued to read my favorite blogs and books. Reading has always brought me pleasure and gave me much needed food for thought, manna for my soul. My writing, I set aside.

The last two years had taken its toll. I needed time for my body and soul to heal.
At any given moment, you have the power to say…

I’m ready now, but how did I get back into the game of writing?

I realized this wasn’t how I wanted the story of my life to end. Trying to play catch up would be futile. I knew couldn’t. So, I made a to-do-list. “Start slow, take baby steps,” I told myself. It was a beginning

http://www.flickr.com/photos/85608594@N00/10448651626Perhaps, you will find it helpful.

Designate a time to write; daily, weekly, whatever works for you and keep it sacred.
Clean and declutter computer files. The mundane task of reorganizing files can help hands and mind reconnect to writing related tasks.
Evaluate current mailing lists. Eliminate sites rarely used or those offering redundant information. Stop wasting time going through a zillion emails.
Reevaluate social platforms (Blog, Author’s page, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, etc). Narrow the focus and find which social network will work best for you based on where you are and what you hope to accomplish.
Establish ONE goal. The thing you want most to accomplish in the next three, six months or over the next year, outline a schedule and do it. (Publish, revise current works in progress, try a different genre, etc.)
Pick ONE project at a time and see it to completion. The satisfaction of accomplishing your goal, will keep you moving forward.
Persevere and write even if it is one word a day.