After dodging the bullet for a couple of years, and being exposed to COVID four times, it finally caught up with me. Although it's not as bad as I thought it would be, it's bad enough to stop me from actually working this week. I tried a few times to write but couldn't keep focused enough. Today is the first day that I felt I could manage some work.
For me, it's all about the muscle, joint, and head aches. I would develop a fever, but it would break within 20 minutes. The headaches were bad enough to keep me from writing, though.
Anyway, I'm feeling much better today and am ready to get this train moving again. At the rate I am healing, I should be pretty close to 100% by Sunday.
Month and Week Goals Are Kaput
Thanks to taking the majority of the week off, my writing and time goals are pretty much a bust for both the week and the month as a whole. I'm not really stressed about it, though. Sometimes, things are just out of your control. And I learned a long time ago that it's better to rest and get well than to try to work while being sick. You're more likely to make mistakes, which can ultimately hurt any chances you have of making money as a writer.
This is why I always suggest having a savings account specifically for "sick days" when you begin a career as a freelancer. Many of us are paid per completed project. If you're not working, you're not getting paid. Having a savings account to help alleviate the times when you are sick can significantly reduce the impact of not having income for a week or two.
At any rate, my goals for next week will pretty much stay the same; having a great week in terms of time management. My goals for the month, however, are pretty much done. With everything I have going on next week, I highly doubt I'll be able to make up time, especially on the weekend.
It's all good. I just need to hunker down on the time I have left. Perhaps July won't look so bad in the end.
Way Behind in Client Work
One of the biggest issues I have with being sick for a week is how far behind I am now with client work. I have a week's worth of editing, images, and writing to do. Sure, my clients are understanding and aren't pressing me too much. But it still makes me feel bad when I can't deliver.
I take a lot of pride and accomplishment in my work.
Because I am awesome (yep, gotta believe in yourself), I should be able to get somewhat caught up over the weekend. There's a reason why people pay me as much as they do. I know that sounds a bit conceited. But in truth, it's more of self-confidence than anything. Clients love working with me because I push as hard as I can to get everything done. At least when I'm not sick, anyway.
Believing in yourself and knowing what you can handle is not the same as being self-centered or egotistical. It's not narcissistic to know what you're capable of doing. It all comes down to your attitude and how you treat others. You can know you're a badass at your job without making others feel inferior...and that's one of the biggest differences.
Traveling Next Week on My Birthday
Part of why I am calling July a wash in terms of goals is because I am traveling to Utah next Friday and coming back that Sunday. So, I am going to be a day short plus anything I could have worked on during that weekend.
Sure, I could probably get a bit of writing done in the hotel room. However, next weekend is special because of the birthdays and seeing Grandma before she leaves to live in California with my aunt. And since she's getting up there in the years, I know I don't have many visits left.
Needless to say, the family will take precedence over workload and personal projects...as they should. At least I'll have several months where I won't have to do much of anything outside of writing once I get back.
Maybe.
Sometimes, Life Happens...
The takeaway from this is that sometimes, things are just out of your control. You could have the best intentions, solid plans for productivity, and feel awesome about what you're going to accomplish. Then, without warning, life says, "Here, have a little COVID." The best thing you can do is just persevere and try again once the dust settles.
Remember, setbacks such as this are simply temporary. It's how you handle things afterward that will determine your success. Learn and grow.