Friday, February 26, 2010

Remuneration


Do you ever feel like your hard work goes unnoticed? I've been struggling with this lately in many areas of my life. The only sanity I find is when I choose not to focus on that because it only generates resentment and in turn makes it hard to stay motivated. Sometimes there are things that I'm working on that require an extra deal of time and effort. I try to manage things in such a way that everything isn't always due at once, but there are times when projects or deadlines overlap and it puts an immense amount of pressure on me. This week was one of them all around. During these times, when I'm working extra hard, some of the little things get tossed to the wayside. Yet aren't these the things that others seem to notice, what you're not doing? I feel like screaming (although I'm not a screamer or even a yeller), "I'm not slacking, in fact, I'm working extra hard, not that anybody is noticing!"

As writers we can be working diligently and become very consumed with our work without anyone seeing any fruit from our labor.  "How is your writing coming along? . . . When are you ever going to get that book published? . . . I don't have time to write for free." The answer is never easy without having to enter a dissertation.  Replying with a word count often meets with dead stares. Trying to explain the publishing process is another matter entirely. It appears though we are writing with an expectation of no remuneration whatsoever. If we are hoping for publication the pay comes later, although the reward can be found in the work itself. Not every one gets that. It's important to resist the compulsion to try to justify ourselves to everyone. It's also important to keep our eyes on the task at hand and remember that we ultimately answer to one authority -  the One who called us and equipped us for our occupation. He notices. Let's stop looking to be remunerated with respect or appreciation, and offer our gratitude instead. That gratitude can be a great motivator.


Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23,24


Your thoughts . .

15 comments:

  1. WOW...I sure hope I am more aware of others than that...I know I can become consumed with writing, but that is over the top.
    andrea

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  2. Awesome advice! It's' so easy to try to defend what we do, isn't it? But I think I've learned that most non-writers really don't understand what the writing life is like, even when I try to explain it! It's often better to just quietly go about my business.

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  3. Wonderful post, Carla! I've often struggled with this myelf. I've found if He's at the heart of our writing, that's enough. Everything else falls into place eventually, even our critics or those who don't get it.
    I've missed you. Glad you're back today!

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  4. Carla, when I heard about this when it happened I thought "how sad...did he not have anyone?" And it brougt home to me even though I get focused on a work I'm doing I need to take time away to stay in touch with what's going on around me. I can get so focused that everything around is blocked out...sounds and all.

    I also understand where you're coming from.. when writing or even my quilting hasn't got immediate results like my 40 hour work week, then it's hard for others so the see the value in the work. It's not until the finished product is in view that the hard word truly shines.

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  5. Isn't that sad Carla? I write more poetry than anything and everyone is always asking, 'when are you going to publish another book?" (not knowing how long it took me to publish the first one) or each time they see me writing, "are you writing poetry?"

    I don't think people are really interested in the process of writing if they're not writers. A finished product is basically what my husband and friends want to see. Telling him that I have a couple poems that I know needs more work etc. doesn't move him at all. He's just interested in the final product.

    Thank God that we can encourage each other no matter what stage each of us find ourselves at.

    Hope you're having a good day.

    Blessings,
    Vickie

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  6. Oh wow. Reminds me of Collateral. What a horrible way to go.

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  7. This is powerful on so many levels, Carla. I feel like I need to read it three or four more times to absorb all of the truths and lessons found in this one post. Wow. Thank you for such a thought-provoking lesson.

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  8. Oh, how sad! I would hate to think that I could overlook someone like that. May the Lord open our eyes to really see those in need around us!!!

    Thanks for a very poingnant post!

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  9. Good post! I can identify with this; have felt this way off and on lately, but then beat it back and work to get a perspective. I think writing is like raising children; you don't always see immediate results, but you will see them in the long run. Thanks for sharing:)
    Blessings and happy weekend,
    Karen

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  10. People often ask me what I'm working on, but don't understand why my book isn't published yet. The entire process is a mystery to them.

    I've learned to discuss the writing life with my writer friends.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  11. I appreciate all of your great comments. I know, isn't that so sad about that man? Then again, I spend so many hours on end at my computer on occasions that ... well, I know I would be missed and am so grateful for that.

    What is so wonderful about the writing community is that we are here to support one another. It's such a blessing. I'm so grateful for each and every one of you!

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  12. Oh so true. I think we all suffer from feeling invisible at times. Sometimes even the little rewards dont come. But God sends the spark again and again. He appreciates us!

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  13. Those who are not writers simply don't understand our obsession with words, and it's hard to explain it to them. I agree with you, it's better if we don't try. Recognition and recompense will always be elusive so it's more rewarding to write for ourselves. I know that I will always write whether or not there is anything other than satisfaction in it for me.

    Carol

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  14. That is heartbreaking. I can't even imagine. And yet I can. We are all so busy, leading busy lives. I wouldn't know it if something happened to a neighbor and nor would they about me. I am used to sitting here alone and working and they are used to me doing it. But that poor, poor man. His family must have been devastated. Someone will probably write a book about that.

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  15. Oh... being a definite "Martha" I can really relate to this.

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