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How Much Do You Want This?
 Posted by Jeannie Lin Jan 16 2012, 12:01 am in motivation I was walking downstairs to do the laundry and I saw this still stuck on the wall where my desk used to be:
I’m such a goof, I write little inspirational messages to myself and tape them up over my writing desk. This particular question was up when I sold my first manuscript and it seemed to work so well for me that it’s stayed there since. (Hence the coffee stains and creases)
Whenever I didn’t want to roll out of bed at 5am and start writing or whenever a set of revisions seemed particularly daunting, I would just ask myself, “How much do you want this?” Just asking myself that would make me hungry enough to overcome whatever little thing was stopping me from moving forward. Lately the dismantling of my desk has been metaphorical for what has happened to my writing time. With the imminent arrival of our twins and the reshuffling of the household, my husband took over the downstairs space as his office so I wouldn’t need to navigate stairs while recovering. My writing nook was stripped away. My bat cave is gone. For the first time, I have works that were contracted sight unseen, which is a good thing. I know it is. As my Little Sis says, “You’re living the dream.” Yet all during ten weeks of bedrest followed by a C-section, I would ask myself that question and find that the answer was a pouty: “What if I don’t want this that much?” At first, all this downtime from the day job seemed like a perfect time to write. My doctor had warned me against getting depressed and listless while on bedrest, but turns out I was perfectly happy incubating my twins and reading books while my husband waited on me hand and foot. (Yes, I married a good one!) After the babies came early, I felt a bit of desperation set in. You see, I’m a goal oriented person, and I had set it in my mind that I needed to finish this short for Harlequin Historical Undone before the babies came or else it wouldn’t get done. Then I had until summer to pen a novel which right now consists only of a two sentence high-concept pitch that hooked my editor. My Mum was over to take care of me and I had the most expensive baby-sitters in the world (The words of the NICU nurses, not mine). The day job was still on hiatus. I MUST WRITE, I said. Now or never. Then I suddenly developed symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome which took me by surprise. I hadn’t typed hardly anything in months! Now I was getting downright mopey. I could take all the other pregnancy complications, especially now that I knew my babies were safe and in good care, but now I couldn’t grip a pen to write longhand. I couldn’t type for more than an hour at a time without being in pain. Cooking a meal, handling a knife to chop an onion was excruciating. This was the last straw. I’m a new mom. I have things to do for my little ones. Who cares about a stupid novella? My editor will understand if I push the deadline again and I don’t want it THAT much anyway. *pouts* But the thing is I do. I do, I do, I do. I suddenly saw the carpal tunnel as a blessing. I could type for one hour at a time — which was more than I’d been doing for the last months. And now with only one hour to type, I knew not to waste it on spider solitaire or Twitter or blogging. Except for this blog, which I decided was good for my psyche. On top of that, the RSS Winter Writing Fest was coming up. A sign! If every keystroke is precious and time is a commodity, suddenly the writing hour no longer seemed like a chore. It became a gift. I don’t have to write, I get to write. So I’ve been writing and making more progress towards finishing this project than I have in months. Slow and steady progress. One hour a day. Sometimes, I sneak in two. Now or never. What mind games do you play to keep yourself motivated? If you don’t have any, feel free to borrow my sign for the day and start writing! Share:
              
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Your blog almost made me cry. I tell myself that all I have to do is open my file and re-read the last page I wrote. That’s all. Just open the file. That’s a good goal. Then once a few word trickle out, I play other games–just a 100 words, just a few more to 200, just until X o’clock and suddenly I’m *in* rushing to beat the clock. But all I *have* to do is open the file. If all I do is that, I get a gold star (not a point–I’ve got a different set of points going), but ever since last May when I decided that I *do* want this enough, that’s been my daily goal.
I have found #1k1hr to be almost an addictive game. What? There are others waiting to hear how many words I’ve gotten? As someone really motivated by the external, it’s my crack. Other challenges are too. If I have to check in daily, I want a good report. (Not surprisingly, I was a good student who lived for report card day!)
The other game I play is to ask myself if I’d be okay never finishing another MS or waiting until the kids were much older. It’s the flip side of “how much do you want it?”–”Can you bear to give it up?” Prior to mothering I finished 3 manuscripts in 3 years but I was the procrastination queen. I had all the time in the world; now I see a ticking clock everyday.
I hope your babies are home very, very soon. And I hope you get a little wring space back. Mine is the playroom. Sure I miss my office with a door, but the other game I play with myself is “Do you really want to waste this?” If I’m going to let them watch TV or dump out all the blocks and scatter them, I *have* to open the file. It all comes back to that. And don’t be afraid to take that time. There will be days when you feel bad taking the time for a long shower. But it’s okay to ask for 20 minutes. Just 20 minutes. And those 20 minutes will feel like a prize.
Um. Wow. I wrote you a book here. But this is where I am too, and it is so hard, but also so worth it. Remember your kids will get to see you want it, and that’s worth a lot.
I can’t say it enough, my hat goes off to women who are raising a family and still manage to write.
Your motivation self-talk sounds like what I did when I used to be a runner. Key words: Used to be. I stopped when I moved to Missouri from California and learned that for the rest of the country, winter isn’t just a state of mind
I would tell myself just get dressed and get out there. You can just run one lap and come home then, if you still feel this tired. Usually by the time I got my butt up, I might as well run a couple miles.
Confession: #1k1hr intimidates me. It’s the same with Nano. I see a bunch of people jumping in on Twitter and it’s a constant reminder of how everyone’s writing but me. I know that’s just a paranoid delusion, but the pressure just makes me antsy. Glad it works for you though.
Annabeth, I love what you say about letting your kids see you doing work you love.
My mom was in the first wave of professional working women in the 60s (she was a biochemist and medical school professor), and she took constant flack from colleagues and even strangers for working while she had three young kids. (No flack from my dad, thankfully–he was super-supportive, as was HER dad, who made my dad promise when he asked to marry her that he would never stand in the way of her education or her work. My grandfather was WAY ahead of his time!)
I was always so proud of her–and seeing her balance both jobs, as hard as it was for her, made me feel like I had the right to seek out a full life too. And she was a fabulous, loving, wonderful-to-talk-to mom.
Do it for your babies, Jeannie!!! A mama who feels strong and fulfilled in her work actually has *more* to give her kids emotionally. And they’ll learn from you to follow their dreams too.
Agreed. And for a mother who chooses not to work outside of the home, I think it’s vital for her to own that choice, and never make her children feel as though they’re a burden, or something that held her back in any way. Once an adult makes a choice, they need to take responsibility for it, and never shovel it off onto anyone else.
Agreed! I didn’t have a mother like Elisa’s. I had mother who wanted more but had a lot of burdens standing in the way. She finished college the same year I did, and I’m really proud of the career she built once we were adults, but that unfulfilled feeling really affected my childhood. I have a lot of friends who are 100% SAHM and they rock at it. They’re giving their kids a great legacy of dedication to family and all sorts of life skills.
Hurray for your mom for going for college later in life!
And I definitely agree that being a stay-at-home mom is an awesome thing to do **IF** that’s what fulfills you.
I love your reply, Annabeth. I love that you give yourself a gold star simply for opening the document. It keeps that writing goal fresh in your mind. I, too, had to give up my writing office (which I had for exactly one year) when we had an unexpected third pregnancy. He’s a toddler now, and I wouldn’t give mothering up for anything, but writing is important to me too. My office these days tends to be Starbucks once a week and the living room the rest of the time.
Happy writing, everyone!
You go, girl! Putting it off until the kids are grown isn’t an option; take it from one who know. I felt guilty taking the time from my family back in the day, and I had plenty of time, right? I never stopped writing, I just stopped writing fiction. My stories demanded too much time. But I shot myself in the foot. The kids grew, and moved out, but to this day they have no respect for my work. I guess, since I didn’t make it important before, how can it be important now? And life changed, too. All the time I thought I’d have is gobbled up by doctors and other demands since my sweetheart got hurt and became disabled.
So I urge you to take the time for you. Make it important. Make your family see it as important. They will grow and go—that is the nature of the beast—and if they are all you have, you will be left with nothing. Don’t count on tomorrow. Make today matter.
Thanks for all the great replies! I’m also an adjunct professor, so even though I’m home most days with them, my working is simply a fact of life for our family. Last week, I overheard my 4 yo DD telling Grandma that DD’s new clothes were because “Mama had a payday! All that gradin’ got me PANTS!” That made me happy. My salary by no means pays all our bills (thank god for my DH!), but I really like that she sees one of the payoffs of hard work. I didn’t see that connection until I was much older. Demanding extra time for unpaid (as of yet!!!) writing sometimes feels a bit selfish, but I like that I’m giving my kids an unorthodox example of how to follow one’s passions and still meet one’s responsibilities. I’ve made peace with the fact that I’m not cut out to be a Martha Stewart mom. Even if my muse flew away and I didn’t need to teach, the house would still be cluttered, the TV on a bit too much. I can’t change myself into a cleaning & organization machine, but I can give them this.
“All that grading got me pants!” That makes me happy.
What an incredible, inspiring post!
I’ve been down on myself this week because just after setting my WWF goals I got the flu. This weekend I was probably only awake for about five miserable hours, but I spent that time berating myself for not writing (yes, the fever obviously made me delusional).
What you’ve gone through, Jeannie, puts my weekend flu into perspective.
My motto for this week will be: Do you want this as badly as Jeannie does?
And my answer is: Hell yeah!
>>My motto for this week will be: Do you want this as badly as Jeannie does?
>>And my answer is: Hell yeah!
Awesome!
I’ve always said to make it you have to be a little lucky. But to get lucky, you have to be hungry for it. Very, very hungry.
I remember attending a talk with Nora Roberts when someone was asking her how to do it with children and family and she gave her usual answer about “blood and fire” to many laughs. But then she added, very fiercely, you gotta WANT it. That stuck with me.
Wow, Jeannie, I woke this morning already stressed and panicky. After looking at what you’re facing, I need to suck it up. Good for you for being so determined. I often think it’s my pure stubborn nature that keeps me putting my feet to the fire. Not to mention, I really like what I do. Most days. I’ve got a few rough weeks ahead as I try to finish a book that is playing it’s own game with me. I’m backed in a corner and the only way to get out is to get to work.
So thanks for inspiring me this morning. Take care of yourself because you DO have two little angels who are on a whole ‘nother level than work.
Funny thing is I actually thought of you a lot while I was making my goal. Remember when we had lunch at the New England conference? You mentioned that your schedule was so tight that you could only set aside two hours and knew that you had to make those hours count. I tell myself now, look at how much Liz has accomplished. It can be done. *hugs*
It can be done, but it ain’t easy. I love Annabeth’s comment. Just because you become a mom, doesn’t mean you give up being you. It’s super important to teach kids that you are a person with dreams and goals. It’s hard to do nowdays because we’re so child-focused, and women are made to feel guilty if they don’t trim the crusts, watch every activity their children participate in or cater to most every whim. I always tell my kids they better be glad they didn’t grow up with Mim and Pops. Forget your bottled water, you’d be really up close and personal with the water hose. LOL.
Claim it for yourself, Jeannie, and balance will come
[...] For me, it all starts with this question: How Much Do You Want This? [...]
Go, Jeannie! Wonderful attitude, I admire your determination!
And now that this post is up for today, I have to get my writing goal done otherwise it’s all hat and no show–now where did that odd term come from?
Love your post, Jeannie! I’m going to print this out too, and hang it on the printer in front of me. I’ve got to ramp it up–do better. Write more! Write smarter. I’m so happy the WWF is back. You’ve inspired me! Now to head over to a sprint and back up all this pep talk with some action.
Thanks Marian! Enjoy the sprint!
So glad you’re back for the Festival, Marian! Hope to see you in the sprints!
Jeannie,
Welcome back and you brought inspiration with you.
My motto has always been, word by word–line by line–page by page, but if you don’t open the file like Annabeth states nothing is going to happen. You have to want it bad enough to open the file and play the game.
The WWF is a great way to get into that habit and for those to prove you can do this.
Line by line is exactly how this feels right now, but I’m ending every day with a little more to the story written than the day before. Progress, right?
I’m really using the WWF to get myself going. The support and excitement surrounding the festival really keeps me going.
That’s the mantra that kept going through my mind this past couple months when I had edits due and so much other stuff going on in my life…
“one page at a time”… sometimes, “one word at a time”.
Somehow it gets done if you take it step by step.
Love that philosophy, Autumn, and so very true!
*hugs* Jeannie
I always see writing like exercise. The more you do it, the more energy you have to do it (well, up to the point of physical exhaustion). The less you exercise, the more exercise sounds like Work. Hard Work. (I know exercise is the last thing on your mind at 1-month post-c-section, and rightfully so, but bear with me).
Writing is like that. When you’re in the habit of writing regularly, its no big deal. But fall out of the habit and re-building seems really hard. It is, but its also an opportunity for change and growth. Time to break old habits, strengthen new muscles.
I am struggling with re-building my writing habits too, but for a far less noble reason than yours
New office, new space, new environment, new family habits…my brain doesn’t see the open laptop (and smell the brewing coffee) and immediately settle into plot mode like it used to. But it will. (It has to!) The more I stick my butt in that chair and make myself do it, it will.
Just do your best, and prepare to change your habits all over again when the babies come home (and again when they sleep through the night, and again when their nap schedules change….). And don’t forget to enjoy those babies. They don’t stay that little for long.
Kristi, you’re so right! Habit is the mother of productivity. Sometimes I think I’d be better off if I had an employer who demanded I get my butt in the chair by 8:30 every morning and didn’t leave until 5 at night, just like the old days of working for a paycheck. But of course, self-direction is part of a writer’s necessary toolkit, and freedom is one of the rewards. I wouldn’t trade it, but it does take a bit more effort to keep oneself on track!
Writing is also like exercise in that if you do it for long enough each time, you get a little bit high.
I like that analogy — and writing is a bit more pleasant than exercising. At least for me.
Like you, the changing of my habits and office messed with my writing ritual. I know these seem like such small, external things, but those cues are important for reminding me to write.
Wonderful post, Jeannie! I am a little stressed over a deadline right now, little being an understatement of the millennium, so this was nice.
I have a saying posted above my computer that our own Gwynlyn had posted a while back: No field every got plowed turning it over in your mind.
I love that! And I have to remind myself of it often.
Big Ruby Hugs!!!!
We’re cheering you on, Darynda!!!
Nothing to motivate you like big, bad deadlines right? But hopefully you can find a moment to breathe! f
Jeannie,
First Congrats!!!
Second, For years I listened to the people I loved who told me to get my head out of the clouds and get a real job.
Well, reality is, real jobs suck. I am a writer, it’s what I do, what I want to do, it’s what makes me get out of bed in the eve-er-morning, yes, morning.
Real jobs come and go, especially in a bad economy. Loved ones change their minds, often. Yet, writing is my constant, it’s always there for me. Just like Books were an escape as a child from the realities of life (okay, they still are an escape, I admit it.) Writing gives me that brief moment of peace.
Wait, did I just say peace? What am I thinking? It’s a non-stop emotional roller coaster, with twists and turns, and loop the loops, that could easily make a weak stomach sick.
Okay, so I was the girl who would try to get on the roller coaster, panic, and rush right back off of it growing up, and still do. I prefer to have my roller coaster adventure in a different way. After all, It’s my ride, I’ll write it how I want it.
On NaNoWriMo: Several years ago, a friend suggested I check out this program in November. So I did. My laptop died. My desktop went on the fritz. My Grandmother Died. I wrote the entire novel by hand. I finished that November with over 60,000 words, all written by hand, on a novel that I am still revising to this day. It’s a good story, it will be a great story one day. Most of all, I will always be grateful for the experience, and thankful for the wonderful people I met that year, because they helped me stay sane. When I could have lost it, and nearly did, they pushed me, reminding me, “What else do you have to do?”
So, every November, I take those thirty days, and crank out the words, that I work with for months afterwards. Someday, I am sure I will out grow NaNoWriMo, but for now, I enjoy the challenge. I was even a little shocked when 2011′s Novel was 240,000+ Words. I knew I was going to regret my self-imposed challenge, of 3 50,000 word novella’s in 30 days (which was an amazing 5,000 words/day goal) yet, once the words started flowing, I couldn’t seem to stop them, or for that matter make them adhere to the brief outline.
On RSSWWF: One of the friends I met, when I moved to Houston, and did my first NaNoWriMo here, suggested a few weeks ago that I do this. Patti’s an awesome writer, a great friend, and one of the best Motivational people I know. She keeps me on my toes, and so I decided why not. I get to set the goals, and I don’t have to push myself to some crazy extent. In fact, I can even set the goal to revise my NaNo-Novel! It has been wonderful getting to see the many different ways we all go about getting to the finish line.
Whether it’s setting a goal to just open the file, Or putting hands to keyboards for so many hours. We each choose to do this. Every day. While some are published and others hope to be, I have found that the Ladies at the RSSWWF, are genuinely warm, caring, and helpful. For the moment, I am not feeling that it’s every woman for herself, and only the strong survive. Because I have found that sometimes, all you really need, is a little help from someone who’s already been there, and done that.
So here’s my bottom line:
I write because I have so many stories to tell. Usually I try to make realistic daily goals, and stick to them. When I find myself stuck, or lacking a desire to write, I remind myself of a few hard learned lessons.
1) I am the only person who can crush my dreams.
2) I will not succeed if I do not keep trying.
3) If I give this up… What will I give up next?
Wow, I wasn’t planning on writing a mini-novella in response but found the words just wouldn’t stop coming. So I will end this with a few quotes I have found over the years that have been inspiring for me…
“Only amateurs say that they write for their own amusement. Writing is not an amusing occupation. It is a combination of ditch-digging, mountain-climbing, treadmill and childbirth… But amusing? Never.” Anonymous
“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” Rudyard Kipling
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain
“There is no rule on how to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly; sometimes it’s like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges.” Ernest Hemingway
Yes! Just keep at it.
And thanks for the great quotes.
No worries about the mini-novella. It’s not accidental that each one of us has much to say about what keeps us going. Most people say they’ve thought about writing a novel, but so few finish. It takes a lot of mental fortitude (and mind games) to push to that finish line!
You’ve obviously struck a chord today, Jeannie.
Today’s my due date for my first child. I’m feeling OK, after a slightly rough weekend, and we’re ready for this baby, so there’s no prep I should be doing for his arrival. (There’s probably always one more toilet to scrub, right? But in all practicality, we’re ready. He’s not going to be using that toilet.)
I have a WIP that I drafted in 8 weeks (it’s series-length, don’t get too excited), but it’s been sitting on my desk waiting for revisions for at least that long. I find myself utterly butterfly-brained when I sit down to work on it. I stare at the pages upon which my lovely beta readers have written their thoughtful comments, and I can hardly make sense of them. Every thought I have is focused on my abdomen, and whether this or that twinge means anything significant (and off to Google it I go). I assume this is normal for first-time mothers around their due dates, but goodness. There is nothing for me to do! Why can’t I just finish this darned project so I can feel good about taking maternity leave?
I’ll go try. Now. Right this second. As soon as I hit submit. Because I want this.
Oh, Lord, yes, Jamie–your whole body and brain and soul are focused on your baby. I remember that feeling even now.
Your brain will return to normal soon…though of course that lovely baby will be there demanding lots of time.
Sometimes when my son was little, I put him in a baby sling so he could sleep against my chest, and I could write for an hour that way.
A new Ruby baby, any time now…
Before I delivered, I could hardly write a word. I felt like I didn’t have two brain cells to rub together even though I had so much free time. I could lay there and feel my babies kick for an hour in complete contentment — I guess what I’m saying is I totally feel ya Sista.
I could not write while pregnant. Just could not do it. Especially with my first, I tried. I really did. Editing though could happen with much effort. It’s okay to have baby brain & it’s okay to pick a reasonable stretch of time–4, 6, 8, 12 weeks whatever as “maternity leave” when doing new writing would be great, but give yourself permission to just figure out motherhood too. Good luck! I hope he makes his arrival very soon! (And don’t stress if he keeps you waiting–first babies tend to be late! (Mine was 42 weeks!)
This is such a wonderful post, Jeannie! Just look at all the passion in the replies!!
I think it’s so wonderful that you’re looking at that one-hour-a-day limit as EMPOWERING. What a great way to think of it: as an hour you GET to have to write.
Go, Jeannie, go!!!!!
This is the perfect post for me today, Jeannie. Thank you for taking time to write and post it.
As you know, my mother passed away about a week ago. This past week was full of family and rosaries and funeral plans. Yesterday, after everyone had left and the ceremonies were over, I took a deep breath. I felt like it was a new beginning. After months of visiting hospice (which I DON’T begrudge!), my creativity felt smothered. I wasn’t sure I’d know how to jump back into an old manuscript. But a friend urged me to try the WWF writing sprints last night and I did. I thought it would be like pulling teeth, but the words were ready to come out, I guess. I’m sure I’ll have some serious editing to do, but it felt SO good to get back into it. Guess I want it bad after all. LOL
Thanks!
I am so very, very sorry for your loss Anne Marie. I’m sure she would be proud of you for getting back to your WIP. Every little bit counts. Be gentle with yourself.
Thanks, Annabeth. I’m trying to ease back into things, but part of me wants to go, go, go. Baby steps.
Many hugs, Anne Marie!
I’m glad you could take that deep breath and find some creative time. It’s very healing.
Jeannie, thanks for this. It’s just what I needed. I am the queen of excuses. I can find reasons for not getting work done in just about anything. But, there’s so much I want to accomplish this year, and I’ve realized that I’m lying to myself by saying I don’t have the time. I do. I just use it unwisely some times.
So when I start to turn to twitter of facebook or email for the tenth time…I’m going to remember this post and give myself a kick in the right direction.
Excellent post, Jeannie. Congrats again on your beautiful babies. I’m so glad to see you plan to keep writing. That little oasis of “me” time will benefit you in many ways, and I know, if you can do it with two new infants, I can certainly find the time in my rather demanding days. Thanks for kick in the pants, doll.
Jeannie,
Congratulations on your babies. My babies are now old enough to entertain themselves and each other while I write. Unfortunately, they are old enough to read and tend to look over my shoulder at the darndest times (like while I’m writing a love scene.)
My schedule is constantly changing and instead of getting frustrated at not having X straight hours to write, I’ve learned to write in spurts. I’m amazed at how much I can get done while waiting in the car for school pickup or sitting on the bleachers during practice (sometimes I sit in my car then, too.) Shorter spurts means I have to really concentrate. No checking e-mails or Spider Solitare, (unless I’m really stuck and then I play one game while letting my mind wander on the plot.)
Great inspirational post, Jeannie. It sounds like maybe some sort of voice-to-text software would benefit you about now. Save your typing for revisions.
Hmmm? I sent this post at 4:14. Why did it register as sent at 5:15?
So inspirational, Jeannie! I can certainly see where you’d go the opposite direction from what you’re doing. I only hope I can be that disciplined if the need ever arises!
And I love your sign. I put up some of my own, but I still struggle to get out of bed early and write. I’m thinking, if I can figure out a way to remember to ask myself that as I’m hitting snooze, it just might work for me, too! Thank you!!!
Hope your carpal tunnel clears up fast, lady! And can’t wait to see more pictures of those babies!!
Wonderful post, Jeannie. I let so many things distract me from what I SHOULD be doing. It’s too easy to click on Facebook or putter around on Pinterest hunting for new projects. Your words have given me a wake up call to do NOW what I might not be able to do later. Because as much as I procrastinate, I really do love writing.
Sending good thoughts that your carpal tunnel clears up quickly and that you’re soon clicking away on that keyboard (and doing other wrist-related activities) free from pain.
Enjoy those babies! And take care of yourself!
Fantastic post, Jeannie! I can really relate to the CTS. Here’s hoping you recover soon. I had RSI in both wrists. There was a point where I thought I’d never write again, but then I reminded myself just how badly I want to be published. So I did everything I could to get better. Now I’m very much back to my pre-RSI days, only I’m much more careful about taking breaks and exercising.
I’m late to the party, but I just want to say this was a fabulous post. Thank you, Jeannie.
Honestly, I think I wanted it more before I got it, if that makes sense. It’s harder for me to stay motivated when the goal is “Keep on doing” rather than “Do it already!” – so I’ve been trying to reassess my goals. Make them bigger and bolder. Make them challenge me again. It’s a process. And hopefully a way to sharpen my desire to a keener edge so the next time someone asks me how badly I want it, I can say with perfect sincerity that I want it MORE than I ever have before. Hopefully.
Jeannie, congratulations on your beautiful babies. The similar chord I saw run through all these posts is that life is constantly changing and we have to always be adapting to those changes. Thanks for the inspiration!
Jamie, good luck with your upcoming big event, too!