Thinking in Seasons

What will you get done now till the end of the year?

The sun no longer stretches its rays when I wake up to write in the morning. The suffocating heat at the beginning of September has weaned off to a warmish breeze in the mid-afternoon. Our plum tree constantly sheds leaves and the streetlamps are on at night again. Fall has arrived; it’s a new season.

It’s also the last season of the year.

Motion vs. Action

In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear talks about the difference between being in motion and taking action.

I’ve been wavering between these two states for months now, taking some action, but never with enough consistency to get me where I’d like to be. I can show up to the pages fairly regularly, but things aren’t coming out at the desired frequency.

Being in Motion vs. Taking Action - James Clear

“When you’re in motion, you’re planning and strategizing and learning. Those are all good things, but they don’t produce a result. Action, on the other hand, is the type of behavior that will deliver an outcome.” - James Clear

I was excited to get back on track this fall and well—you know—things never happen as planned.

In France, where life slows down noticeably in the summer, la rentrée doesn’t just represent the beginning of the school year, it also embodies the general return to work and life.

I can’t remember the last time September was this hectic, probably before Covid-19. Speaking of the bug, it’s been going around town and has made its way into my home. A reminder to keep the calendar flexible for surprises. The clock is ticking. I have limited time to finish certain writing projects.

Twelve weeks to be exact, if I exclude the last week of the year. There’s no point counting it. My brain is usually useless by the time the holiday season arrives.

I revise all my pending projects, then break them down into what I think are manageable weekly goals in order to finish by December 22.

The problem is, I often overestimate what is manageable, mostly because my definition is flawed. I prioritize what I should do over what is possible at a given time and place.

Honouring your inner commitments

Over lunch this week, a woman at my new coworking space talked about the drawing classes she was taking for her own personal development. “How do you find time to do all these things?” someone asked.

“You don’t,” she said. “You make time. Most of us aren’t taught this skill, so you have to learn it.”

Making time is no easy feat. It means saying no to other things and other people.

Someone recently presented

Gretchen Rubin's Four Tendencies Framework to me. The idea is simple: Understanding how you deal with expectations is key to setting yourself up for success.

According to her online quiz, I’m an Obliger, which doesn’t surprise me.

Obliger: ‘I do what I have to do. I don’t let others down, but I may let myself down…You can count on me; and I’m counting on you to count on me.’

- Understanding the Four Tendencies Framework​ by Gretchen Rubin

I excel in meeting outer expectations, but struggle with fulfilling my own regularly. This is because external accountability motivates Obligers, even for activities they want to do.

Rubin says most people fall into this category. While perhaps tendencies are intrinsic to our personalities, I think our environments also condition and shape them. Social cues push us to say yes, be generous, and prioritize others. We’re told it’s virtuous to do so. But to meet both inner and outer expectations, like the Upholder tendency, not so much. Balancing inner and outer expectations would be healthier for everyone.

In the past, I’ve used several strategies to keep myself accountable:

- Tell everyone I’m doing this thing.

- Make it public.

- Use rewards (and consequences) to entice me.

- Find accountability partners.

These strategies work for a while, but then fizzle out. Maybe this is where the issue lies. My goals are vast and long-lasting. Perhaps they lack focus. My big-picture brain has difficulty zooming in on low-level tasks. Thinking in seasons seems to be the right solution. My mind functions best with 12-16 week periods. Long enough to accomplish things, but short enough to feel the passing of time.

It’s almost October, and I’m relieved to leave a hectic September behind. As we settle into fall and I find my groove again, I want to make my time count. Today is the full moon and Mid-Autumn Festival. It’s the perfect occasion to gather with friends or family, admire the moon, and usher in this new season.

The year ends in less than 100 days. How will you make them count?

A Few Things Worth Sharing

On my nightstand:

• Zadie Smith’s latest novel, The Fraud: Based on a true historical event, it reads like a modern Victorian book, which is quite enjoyable. Some reviews say it’s long, but I can’t tell from the e-book version. The chapters are only three pages long so they’re perfect for bedtime reading, and you can’t go wrong with Smith’s impeccable writing.
• The Renaissance Soul by Margaret Lobenstine: Not my favourite title, but a book I wished I had known about when it came out 10 years ago. If you have many interests, and wonder how to manage a nontraditional career path, I recommend this book to you.
• Shubeik Lubeik by Deena Mohamed: This award-winning graphic novel asks what if wishes could be bought and sold. The translation is from Arabic, which reads from back to front, right to left. If you read mangas, then you’ll already be familiar with this format. It’s a wonderful urban fantasy that addresses modern social issues in Egypt with empathy and light satire.

What I’ve been watching:

• Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop: A Netflix series that pays homage to the women who helped shape hip-hop from the very start. Hip-hop doesn’t need to be your jam to appreciate these stories of courage, empowerment, and resilience in a male-dominated world.

Substack Rec: You know what I love about Substack? The quality and variety of writing with no goddam ads, click-bating, and social metrics luring. It reminds me of a prettier and more organized version of the web circa the early 2000s. I’m always amazed (and admittedly jealous) by the quality of writing and content here.

Mixed Messages by Isabella Silvers is the first space I’ve seen entirely dedicated to the mixed-race experience. I often feel more connected to mixed people with multicultural backgrounds than those who share my exact background because of my mixed origins. The varied experiences are amazing to read. I highly recommend Mixed Messages to anyone who is mixed or has mixed people in their life.

Quote of the day:

Don’t should all over yourself.

(My friend Lisa shared this with me. I’m not sure who’s the original source, but there are numerous versions floating around the Internet. In any case, it’s pretty awesome.)

What's your focus for the rest of the year? How will you stay accountable?

Project boost: NYC Midnight has two writing challenges open right now. This format offers fun experimentation with feedback on your stories. No prior experience is necessary. I had never written a piece of flash fiction when I signed up for the 1000-word Flash Fiction Challenge. I ranked first in my group in the last round and was one point shy from qualifying for the following stage. So you just never know! Honestly, it’s a lot of fun, give it a try! I’ll write about my experiences soon.

Happy writing, happy creating during this new season!

G.G. Law