Well, I suppose I don’t need permission to be excited… and to share some of it. This has been an accomplishment-filled week! I can’t resist sharing a few of those accomplishments.

One may seem premature so think of it as me letting you in on something “everyone” will know by the end of the month. I have another book published, scheduled for release by September 20, 2019. Frankly, it became a real “crunch” project as I wanted to have it available for the Substitute Teacher Workshops I’m conducting this fall. (Check the course calendar for workshop availability in Dover-Foxcroft, Newport, and Pittsfield.)

“This workbook was developed for use in ‘Mr. Boomsma’s Substitute Teacher Workshop’ and, as such may appear to be missing content if viewed without participating. However, there is plenty of standalone information and valuable resources. It should further be noted that some of the information such as the process for fingerprinting and background checks is specific to the State of Maine. Regulations and processes may differ widely among states and school districts. “

Watch for the official “Launch” later this month! If the schedule remains intact, students participating in this fall’s workshop will receive a copy… but it will also be available to all!

But wait, there’s more!

Most know that recognition by colleagues is a great compliment… and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that some advice I’d given to fellow writers was featured in The Indie Author Self-Publishing Quarterly. It was actually a bit of a surprise… I’d finally gotten around to reading my latest issue and there I was on page 23!

I dug into working on yet another book and am committed to releasing it later this fall. Once I assembled everything I found I’m further along than I realized! Since returning from a wonderful vacation, I’m truly amazed at the progress and accomplishments I’ve made, particularly where writing is involved. It’s exciting!

So this post isn’t totally self-serving, I should mention that I’ve been experimenting. My busy teaching season starts next week and I’ve been focused on getting things done and off the list before the season starts. I’ve found two things extremely helpful.

First, and perhaps obvious, there’s huge value in managing work by checklists. This is no great discovery but I’ve found that it does help with the more important technique–a technique that is allowing me to actually “work” fewer hours while accomplishing more.

I’m also indebted to Seth Godin for inspiring me to re-think some of my work habits and achieve that. Seth wrote a daily post a while back about working with intensity and commitment, pointing out that six hours of impassioned work may equal eight to ten hours of “regular work.” It’s a different focus. It includes identifying the things you’re not going to do.

It’s an important lesson for entrepreneurs and self-employed folks to learn. When I started down this road some forty years ago, my admired mentor told me “You won’t have trouble knowing when and where to start. You’ll have trouble knowing when and where to stop.” Jack, if you’re reading this, you’ll perhaps be pleased to learn that I’m finally figuring it out.

“How much” is not about time. “How much” is about commitment, passion, and intensity. Think about it.