viking fridays – never lift your eyes.
September 12, 2008
Never lift your eyes and look up in battle,
Lest the heroes enchant you,
Who can change warriors
Suddenly into hogs.
- The Hávamál
The message from those crazy Vikings comes through loud and clear this week, especially to me. As if they are talking directly to me.
Never lift your eyes and look up in battle.
I am guilty of that. I know what I want, I know how to get it. And yet, I lift my eyes. Not because of my family, or my work. No, because I have this terribly fertile mind that always comes up with new ideas.
A mind that needs a big Viking boot in the “mind-ass” to keep it focused on the important things. On my goals and dreams.
As the Little League coach says, “Keep your eyes on the ball, son.”
See, I would have been the kid who got hit by the ball, because I’d have been busy chatting with the spider crawling across home plate.
(Hey, spiders are cool, okay?)
Never lift your eyes, lest the heroes enchant you.
The heroes might be real people – could be hucksters, could be well meaning folks, could be jealous folks – family, friends, naysayers. Doesn’t matter.
Never lift your eyes and look up in battle.
I mean really, who wants to be changed into a hog? For what is a hog, but a side for scrambled eggs.
Chatting back and forth yesterday at Writer Dad in the comments, I got to thinking. One thing I really need to do is finish my book.
November is coming. NaNoWriMo. National novel writing month. What a great time to push on my manuscript. To keep my eyes focused on the battle. So I’m toying with the idea of pre-writing my posts for November, and basically taking the month to write.
Sure, I’d check in from time to time to delete the Viagra spam, but otherwise, I’d be writing.
I think that might just be what I need to do.
Maybe some of you are also writing a book. Maybe you’re working on something else.
Why don’t we all focus on the battle? You could join me in November and do it then, or you could start today. Note, I’m not going to put my writing on hold until November – I’m just thinking it might be a time for a real push.
Let’s all charge into battle, and keep our eyes down, focused.
Let’s all be like the Viking in the middle of Friar’s cartoon. Not like the guy on the left. Okay, you can be like the gal on the right if you like, she seems pretty cool. But the guy on the left, not good.
Tomorrow: more tales of zombie horror at the Factory…
@Brett
Reminds me of Foghorn Leghorn teaching the young chick how to play baseball
“You gotta keep your EYE on the BALL, son. Eye. Ball. That’s a JOKE, son, Doncha get it?”
But I digress here.
I agree with focussing on your projects. As much as I LOVE bloggings, it’s sometimes a huge time suck. I might have to do like you, and back off a bit, and focus on my other books.
Not right now, but perhaps a litte later, (NanoWriMo, like you said…)
Friar’s last blog post..The Parking Nazi
Distractions are every writer’s worst nightmare. And they’re everywhere, if you think about it. “Never lift your eyes.” Damn, those vikings give good advice.
Good luck with your decision to go full force in November, Brett. We’ll all be rooting for you.
Friar: Excellent cartoon, as always.
(I don’t want to be like the gal on the right … she looks like she’s gonna get it from viking boy any second now.)
Rebecca Smith’s last blog post..Don’t “lay” down on the job
Brett,
Love the quote as always. Is there more to it, though?
I’m thinking about looking at the “stars” or heroes in your field, feeling unworthy, and letting that feeling get you down and turn you into a hog…
For example, reading Seth’s blog, and thinking I’ll never be that insightful, or Nick Cernis’, thinking I’ll never be that witty, or my friend Jacob Cass’, and thinking I’ll never be that amazing…. I don’t do that, because I’m me, and that’s who I want to be, but I think a lot of folks do let that thinking turn them into hogs. If you do that, you’re reacting instead of being authentic, which will never help you win the vattle.
Or am I wrong in reading that into it?
Oh, I’ll never be as inspirational as you, Brett, no matter what the thing means.
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd Are?
“vattle”? LOL. b-a-t-t-l-e
Always look up long enough for a brief check of spelling, no matter what the Vikings say.
Kelly’s last blog post..Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd Are?
Brett,
The problem I have is WHICH ball do I keep my eye on when I am juggling them all UP IN THE AIR????
sigh.
You make such a good point.
And I know the answer is Pick one. But all the balls seem so important…like frog pots…So some here, some there, and I just try to move each ball forward just a little each day. Its slow, but if I focus on just one all the rest fall down…..
Wendi Kelly’s last blog post..A Letter to the World
Ah, another Lab Rat easily distracted by pretty things. Like the crow in Secret of NIMH. ‘Oooo, sparkly! Can I have it, huh, huh, huh?’ The Lion loses sleep dreaming up brand new projects. Last night, apparently, it was the roof for the outdoor kitchen cooking area, and my sacred space cabana, which btw, is a project for 3 Summers from now.
It’s okay to shift focus from time to time to finish up a project. Pre-write your blogs, or better yet, reduce your blogs for November. We’ll still be here when you get back. We’re a very loyal bunch.
Urban Panther’s last blog post..Food, friends, and life lessons
@Friar,
You know, that’s exactly what was going through my head when I was writing it…
As many of the other folks have said, it’s not a bad idea to refocus and pull back a bit from other things. It’s been working well for people like the Men.
@Rebecca,
I’m usually pretty good at the distraction part (well, sort of) – my brand of distraction seems to be juggling too many things, as Wendi says.
Though sometimes it’s good to have many projects, too – then you can always shift gears when you get stuck. It’s a toss up.
And yeah, you’re probably right about that gal on the right – never take your eyes off a Viking, you never know what they might do next…
@Kelly,
You’ve really hit it on the head here – I didn’t include them in my list of “heroes”, but you’re so on the money.
By all means, be inspired by the “rock stars” – but under no circumstances compare thyself to them and feel a lesser being. For we are not. We all have the potential to be incredible. As I said a long time back, you are perfect, just the way you are.
A vattle is the conflict that occurs when folks are fighting over vittles…
@Wendi,
I don’t know – I’m not very good at juggling, so I’m more likely to lay all the balls out on the table in front of me, and just toss one back and forth in the air!
@Panther,
You know, the more I get to know you and the Lion, the more I think the Lion and I are quite similar (and I think you and Cathryn are also similar in many ways).
And thank you. I certainly wouldn’t totally disappear! This is just too much fun…
Isn’t it true, never lift your eyes, yet there are so many distractions. Like Friar, I enjoy reading blogs, but it does take up time. This will be the last one for the morning. Like Wendi, I often have trouble picking one thing! I am one who is writing a book – now off to write! Thanks for the reminder.
Stacey Shipman’s last blog post..I’m not perfect, I’m human
god, I love the Vikings!! What great advice, from you included!!
When I was in track in high school, my coach always used to say, “Keep your eye on the prize, Steph.’
When I was a kid, my dad had this funny mug that read, “As you go through life, brother, whatever be your goal, keep your eye on the donut, and not on the hole.”
I’ve never forgotten that saying, but I’ve often forgotten its wisdom.
steph’s last blog post..Finding Your Voice – And Sticking with It
Brett,
A super, and bold idea! You have it, write it. Remember: even the best baseball players would rather take a “strike” on a pitch that is his weakest pitch, than create a chance for a double play. Keep your eye on the ball, but DON’T swing until the ball you’re best at hitting comes toward you!
And just a wee bit more zombies, as you say…
Rita
Rita’s last blog post..Casting Call for Authors!
I love the idea of writing posts for a month ahead of time. That would be boss. I wonder if I could get away with commenting a month ahead of time too. That would be like boss squared.
Writer Dad’s last blog post..The Ninth Wonder?
@Stacey,
A warm welcome to you! Thanks for making my blog your last stop this morning. I hope that you’re having a productive “rest of your day” – I’ve popped by your blog as well, and I’ll be back soon (lots of neat stuff there).
@steph,
I know where you’re coming from – I have the knowledge, but have to remember to apply the wisdom. Well, we can keep on trying, right?
Eventually we’ll all get it right – and then we’ll be Vikings.
@Rita,
Very good analogy – I like it. And yes, more zombies are definitely forthcoming – fear not!
@Writer Dad,
I figure I might be able to get away with just the Viking Fridays – they’re fairly easy and fun to do, and I wouldn’t want to let that go… commenting a month ahead, I suppose you could do that too:
“Thanks (insert names of all your regulars) – your latest blog post is also very cool.”
I wonder if that sounds too canned?
Yes, must focus! Stop obsessing over details and start making progress. Ugh, so true and it’s where I’m a little stuck now. I need more accountability. It’s amazing how the day can just whittle away when you have no *real* deadlines.
So true about the online time-suck. I signed up for Twitter (but have done nothing, so don’t search for me). But I’m kind of afraid to get involved for fear of more time suckage! Yes, I’m babbling.
Oh…and I’m afraid of spiders.
Karen JL’s last blog post..Back to School Wisdom and A Few Labeling Tips
Karen JL,
No kidding… I’m getting better at it, though – I still use those “full screen” writing programs and that does help. Sometimes. Because sometimes, the blogs are just too much fun
Spiders? No problemo. You can borrow a Viking axe from me (I have a few spares, I mailed one to Rita).
@Brett and Rita
If they happen to be Viking Spiders, just be careful when you stomp on them.
(The horns on their little helmets are a real bitch on your feet!)
Friar’s last blog post..The Parking Nazi
Friar,
Here’s what you do with Viking spiders. When you see the little longships approaching, set out little kegs of beer, mead, and wine, will little drinking horns.
They won’t be able to resist it, they’ll get really drunk and have a huge brawl… it is quite entertaining, actually
@Brett
HAHAHAH!
Kind of like WWF, but on a smaller scale!
(Oh, the cartoon ideas are spinning in my head now..!)
Friar’s last blog post..The Parking Nazi
@Brett and Friar,
The spiders are yours. I have the helmet. I am BEYOND the spider mirauding and drunkenness days. Plus. I personally find them icky – as opposed to spider WEBS, which are VERY cool.
Rita
Rita’s last blog post..“The Swanning”
@Rita and Brett
After visiting Oz, and seeing some of the MONSTERS they have there, I’ve lost my respect for the wussy little spiders we see here in North America.
Arachnids always bugged me. Kind of like insects..but not quite.
Wish they’d GET OFF THE FENCE, and decide, already.
Friar’s last blog post..The Parking Nazi
@ Friar,
Could you do me a favor please? When the arachnids DO decide to get off the fence, could you please convince them to NOT come to my side?
Thanks,
Rita
Rita’s last blog post..“The Swanning”
@Rita
No probs.
I’ll just sic Basil on them!
Friar’s last blog post..The Parking Nazi
@Rita,
Fear not the Viking spiders. When they’re not getting drunk, they’re off pillaging the part of France known as Normandy… keeping those French spiders in line, ya know!
Hey, Brett -
I’m with you: It’s great to have many projects to work on at once (one of the many benefits of freelancing). I love being able to shift gears when I’m stuck on one job and be able to be productive on another.
@Writer Dad: “boss squared” — love it.
Rebecca Smith’s last blog post..Don’t “lay” down on the job
I’ll be with you on NaNoWriMo Brett – we can be accountability buddies and make sure that we write every damn day. I’m doing lots of prep work now so that all I have to worry about is the writing, not the planning or world-building.
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome’s last blog post..Life’s Not Fair – Get Over It
@Rebecca,
The trick for me is to stay on top of all of them (and make sure my wife doesn’t hate me for being too busy!) – but I’m getting better at that…
@Alex,
I look forward to that – it’s a deal. We can be accountability buddies then. There is a certain power to that, having someone else to check your progress.
Years ago, when I used to work out with a good friend, it was great. One of us always didn’t want to go – but the other did. So it worked well. So it is with everything.
I love the metaphor of battle for our work. Even though my ideal is delightful sometimes you just need to get all fired up and “good mad” determined.
Brett while recovering from the lass of business, home and wife in 1997 I used to go deep into the woods and attack trees with dead limbs like Little John and his staff.
It was very cathartic and empowering. I may have been busted and despondent but I could still beat the hell out of a tree!
Something about this post made me recall those days and I’m glad of it. Thanks!
Tom Volkar / Delightful Work’s last blog post..Finding Your Business Sweet Spot
Tom,
I know what you mean – I’d rather it be pleasant too, though sometimes you need to put head down and CHARGE!!!
I use my kettlebell weights that way. Swinging around a piece of cast iron always works out the bugs…
Thanks for sharing your story – I now have a vision of you as Little John, beating the tar out of trees…
I wish I could find the time to dedicate to writing, but right now I am a bit behind on lots of things, I’m almost 2 weeks late commenting on this one! I think my goal right now is to catch up and get back on track with things, then maybe miraculously there will be more time for writing!
Jenny’s last blog post..Don’t Laugh At…
@Jenny,
Well you know what – you *will* catch up and things will be back as they should be – I believe it.