Have fun - Alexandria Blaelock

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been hearing people say, “have fun.” Which is not the usual thing people say to each other. Or at least, not something I usually hear people say to each other.

Up to this point, the only person I know who says it regularly is my mentor. He always signs his emails “have fun,” because he believes writing is fun. And given some of the other jobs I’ve had over my lifetime, I have to agree.

But, I recently came across an old post by Eric Barker, discussing fun ways to make your life awesome.

Quite timely given we’ve already passed “Quitters Day,” (the second Friday of January), being the day 80% of people give up on their New Year’s Resolutions. So maybe Baker’s suggestions will give you the oomph you need to get going

Level Up

This one is based on video games, where in general, you have to find a reward to get to the next level. Coins, bananas, robot war machines, whatever.

Goals generally require projects for completion. Projects are a set of tasks to be completed within a given time frame. So your goal to lose 5 kg by your class reunion might include the projects of daily walking, replacing refined sugar with coconut sugar, and drinking five glasses of water.

In terms of leveling up to achieve your goals, allocate a number of points to each action, add a sound track if you like, and rack them up.

In case you’re wondering, I track my word count using stickers. Over 500 words is one type of sticker, over 1,000 is another, and over 2,000 is a third kind of sticker. Might not be right for everyone, but I think it’s fun.

Rewards that Reward You Back

So great. You’ve racked up 146 points.

Good on you!

But what’s the point of just racking up points?

Well, you could try to get more points each week…

Or, you could reward yourself with a new pair of sneakers, a new cookbook, or a fancy drink flask that’s going to keep your fruit flavoured water cool for most of the day.

(Absolutely no on the stilettos, fancy Belgian chocolate, or celebratory cocktails.)

As for me, as well as the fun of a sticker filled calendar, when I finish a story, I enter submit them to magazines or contests, where I sometimes get the joy of seeing my stories in someone else’s publication. Not to mention a deposit in my PayPal account.

Secret Identity

Another fun way, is pretending to be your favourite fictional hero.

I’d wager Lara Croft takes care of her body by exercising, eating well and so on. As does the new female 007. And I reckon they’d be honing their respective technical skills as well.

Not to mention that Professor Ellen Langer found pretending you’re younger than you are leads to actual improvements in your physical condition. Go figure.

This is not a particular technique I use, but like most other writer’s I’m endlessly fascinated by how other writer’s work. And where they work. What their special pens and other tools are.

Though I confess I started using Blackwing 602 pencils because I read they were beloved by many of authors and composers. Even though I know they’re owned by a different company which uses different wood and graphite, and are essentially nothing like the Blackwings my heroes used.

Multiplayer Mode

It’s also been established that working with friends leads to better results.

Which is why the suggestion is to go for a walk with a friend. Or the dog. To encourage each other to drink more water and take less sugar.

There’s also the opportunity to compete with each other, or make a bet along the lines of whoever quits first has to give the other a significant reward, such as buy sneakers, or dinner at an expensive restaurant.

For me, this involves:

A Mastermind group of writers where we talk about the challenges of writing and share our progress
A group I meet where we write in timed sprints
And a group where we compete with each other over who’s got the most stories out at magazines

The Heroic Sacrifice

The last of Barker’s suggestions, is to take a leaf from books and movies in which the hero must sacrifice something to win in the final battle.

Usually it’s the girl, who he gets in the end.

And often it’s the sacrifice that gives the hero the extra oomph to join the battle. Battling for the babe.

Barker sites Steve Kamb as volunteering at a children’s hospital once a week, which also gives him the opportunity to be a kid for a while.

No to to mention it’s fairly well documented that volunteering makes you happy.

Finale

So, I hope these hints have offered you some inspiration to keep working on your goals for the rest of the year.

So the final word is from Dan Pink. These dates are particularly good for restarts.

The first day of the month
Mondays
The first day of spring, summer, autumn, and winter
Your country’s annual day
An important religious holiday
Your birthday
A loved one’s birthday
The first day of school, or semester, or term
The first day of a new job
The first day back from vacation
Your wedding anniversary
Another anniversary, such as you started your job, became a citizen, adopted your dog, graduated.

Or in my case, the anniversary of my transplant. Though my transplantiversary is quite late in the year.