Really, it's not a new effort so much as a renewed effort. It stems from #SHINEOnline. Writing Spirit's project is still going strong long after the 11 week expanse of the project.

I fizzled out a while back. But I'm finally hitting my stride and ready to commit to everything once again. I didn't suffer real burn-out because I didn't shy away from writing. I turned my focus to work writing, content and code editing projects, which left the blog writing in the dirt.

My only choice is to get faster at doing the writing I need to do so that I can get to the writing I want to do. And that's what I've been working on. A few mind-set changes, routines busted, and others set up, and I think I'm well on my way...at least I hope so.

I posted on my personal blog today, on my writing blog too, and later I'll see about my poetry blog. The largest chunk of my time is still for work writing (currently articles for Demand Studios). It just seems though that the more I take care of my blogs, the more energy I have to put toward the work writing. And the reverse is true too.

So why is there any question of this in the first place? Balance. Always there must be a balance. I found that I was giving everything to the work writing and coding to the exclusion of EVERYTHING else.

How did I save myself?

I have time limits set for myself. I'm quite undisciplined about my writing. I will do it all day and all night. That was too much. My changes were these:

• Write or research in 3 hour blocks
• Stop at the end of that time, no matter what
• Work on other things to clear my mental palette
• Put in my work hours at whatever time of day works best for me

Some say write every morning. I find that this works well for me, but it's not always work writing that I do first thing in the morning. Sometimes, it's email responses or other writing that gets my attention.

When it's time to write or research for work, I enforce the three hour block is kept to and filled with whatever I need to get the work done.

Flexibility is the Key

So far, it's working well for me. If it fizzles, then I'll change my routine. I've relaxed on forcing myself to write a certain thing at a certain time, for now. But, it's very likely that this will change because I do find that my mind things a certain way at certain times of the day. And I go with that too.

For example, I'm more creative and contemplative first thing in the morning, (which lends to poetry). I get more analytical and concrete as the day progresses, (which lends itself to email replies and copywriting). Still later, I'm reflective about everything, (which lends itself to blogging—for me).

What is working the best in all of this is flexibility. Once again, I've needed my permission to do my thing. Over the past 2 weeks or so, I've given that permission and it has served me well.

I've also had to remind myself that I'm capable.I've done all this work and more in a conventional job setting, so it is old hat. Only the setting is new. And so, here I am.