If It Works For You, Do It

by Marie Vonow (follow)

Writing (64)      Advice (43)      Creativity (37)      Choice (34)      Information (5)     

So much information, so many opinions, so many variations to consider. There is no blueprint for life that suits everyone, in all situations, every day. So, how does one make a decision of which approach to take and which advice to follow? I don't have the answer except to say if something seems to be working for you at the time, do it and if it isn't working, perhaps try something different.

Whether we are thinking about housework, achieving goals, being creative or self improvement there will be contradictory advice. For example -

I was pleased with myself when I got into the habit of making my bed soon after I got up. It really did make the room look heaps tidier and made me feel I had made a good start to the day. Then I read it may be healthier to leave the bed unmade to air out thoroughly, especially if one has sweated during the night. Currently I usually make my bed soon after rising but I don't get upset if I don't get around to making it.


When I worked in a large open plan office my untidy habits probably irritated the neater workers who sat near me. I tended to leave folders and papers in piles on my desk instead of filing them away and wondered if I should make an effort to put things away more. Then I read about the connection between a messy work station and creativity. I decided to stress less.

Some people advocate making a detailed plan before they get started on any project. Others prefer to just get started and they consider spending lots of time planning to be a form of procrastination. I sometimes take one approach and sometimes the other, depending on the task and my mood.

Establishing a habit can save time and means you don't need to think about the task too much. However, trying a different way can stimulate your brain and helps avoid boredom. You may also discover a way that works better to get a particular chore done more quickly or more efficiently.

I love using my laptop for writing because I can actually read what I have written. Yes, my handwriting tends to be messy and especially after I have been working on something for a while it deteriorates to an illegible scrawl. I am more likely to find what I have written and saved on my laptop than when I commit my thoughts to paper. However, there is some evidence writing by hand stimulates the imagination and makes a writer more creative.

I usually write using my laptop but on occasions I use pen, felt tip pen or lead pencil and paper.


Following the rules shows you were paying attention in English class and have the kind of brain that retains information about those rules. Doing it your own way shows you are imaginative and sometimes helps you connect better to your readers because you seem relaxed.

It also depends on the type of writing you are doing and your audience. You do need to follow the rules when writing an academic essay.

I sometimes find the variety of opinions, the different and conflicting information tiring and overwhelming. Other times I shrug my shoulders and just do what works for me at the time.


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