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Friday, March 31, 2017

ARE YOU A WATCHER OR A DOER? @CELIAYEARY @REBECCAJVICKERY

I once read an essay titled "Watchers and Doers." The point was that some people watch others, while others perform and succeed.
Society divided into two groups.
In other words, some people sit back and do little, except that which is required to exist, and allow the Doers to...do all the work.

Do we consider ourselves Doers? I do. But am I a Doer all the time? No, not at all. Sometimes I do kick back, pull away, fall out, or stand by...and watch. However, this is only a respite--I have not lost my Doer persona.

As we grow and learn, some humans naturally seek out learning, doing, and succeeding.
Look at some athletes who came from a crime-ridden neighborhood, but when he matured decided on his own to break away and make something of himself.
This sort of scenario happens all the time. I believe some humans are born with a natural attitude of wanting to succeed, and they break away and become successful.
These kinds of people always amaze me. They seem to succeed despite all odds against them. They are natural-born Doers.

If you are like me in any way, you are a Doer. But I wasn't a natural born Doer. I was a little slow getting started, but when the urge did kick in, I desperately wanted to learn new things and succeed in ways I never thought possible.
I did, and I'm not finished yet.

Some days I feel so lazy and weary of writing, editing, promoting. But soon, I've revived and begun once more.

If you need a boost with your Doer persona, here are seven ways to succeed:
  Write about something you care about.
  Take Risks
Plan
  Write every day
  Be prepared to work hard
Be persistent
  Let it go.
I am a Doer.
If you're reading this, I bet you are, too.

Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/celiayeary
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7 comments:

  1. I don't really know how to answer this question. I'm sort of both a doer and a non-doer.
    I have done all the things to be successful in a material sense. I went to college and became a nurse. I took extra studies to become a critical care nurse because that gave me personal fulfillment and helped me feel in some way that I had done something for the sake of my mother who died of rheumatic heart disease. It was physically, emotionally, and mentally hard work.

    I had many other interests like music and writing for which I took classes and paid private tutors to learn. Work is required even for the things I love to do. It wasn't easy learning to play the bagpipes or the violin. And I, too, do not like promoting, editing, and pressing on in a story when I'm not the slightest bit inspired to write. I know in the end I'll get the heart of that story engaged somehow.

    But I do not feel the least bit guilty taking naps, lounging out on the deck enjoying the day, or staring out the window at the clouds rolling by letting my imagination out to play. I don't think I could write a thing without these peaceful, do nothing times.

    I'm also an observer of others. I sort of take in the interplay between other people and watch how they respond to one another. I love to eavesdrop on animated conversations. I'm not doing much of anything, but I'm collecting human interactions for stories just on account of I think these things are interesting.

    I know some people don't actively participate in their own lives. They think all the bad things that are happening in their lives are due to other people and circumstances beyond their control. They may not feel powerful and think they can't do anything to change how things are for them. While I do sympathize for their lack of belief in themselves, I don't want to be like that. I have faith in God and that things will work out somehow, but I also know God expects me to do my part. You can't be hired for a job if you don't fill out an application. When I see someone putting out great effort to get control of their life, I admire them. I want to see them succeed.

    Before I write a dang novel here, I best move on. This was a thought provoking article, Celia. I can't wait to see what others have to say.

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  2. Sarah-you should have written this post..you said it better than I. Being a Doer doesn't mean you work or "do" something all the time. It's that you see something that needs to be done, and you do it, or you're planning on your next move.
    I'm trying to think of an example, to clarify this for myself, as well as you.

    There are two sisters. Both have a family.
    The first sister is always busy--cooking a pot roast for dinner, and preparing all the dishes that go with it. Oops, she's out of milk, so she makes a run to the store, buys milk, and also a few more vegetables. While she's out she gasses up her car.
    Back home, she takes a break with a soft drink, props her feet up to watch the news, but...wait..she forgot the laundry..best get that done first. From the laundry, she tidies up both bathrooms. Next, she calls her daughter to make sure she will bring the grandbaby over to baby sit. (get the picture? this lady never rests.)

    Second sister: She rushes around in the mornings, getting ready for her teaching job, which she has with the two degrees she earned... and making sure her husband and two school age children have enough to eat and enough money for lunch. She kisses everyone goodbye, and off to work.
    Thankfully, she gassed up her car on the weekend..she does not have time for that today. During the school day at lunch, she joins the faculty group that is planning their annual Christmas toy drive to help the fire department meet their goal that every child will have a toy. After school, she grocery shops, buying extra goodies for the family for she already has dinner in the freezer. That night, after tending to the kids and husband, she stays up a bit longer to work in her home office. She's writing a proposal for a grant which would help low income Freshmen get to college. At nine PM, she shuts down the computer, turns off the light, and says to her husband, "Ready for a break? There's a beautiful moon out...okay, I'd love a glass of red wine."

    Which of these women is the real Doer and which is the real Watcher? Both worked all day....at something.

    Goodness gracious, I'm out of control. Now, I will admit I'm sort of using myself and my sister. She married and had kids, too...but why didn't she go to college..Why isn't she doing something for the community, why...etc. She always said to me, sure I could have done all that, too, but I'm too busy taking care of my family.

    Does this make it more clear? I hope so.
    Thanks so much for you comment. I read it twice..and will probably read it again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I choose door #2--that's you, Celia. You may be busy, but you also plan ahead, give some time to help others, take care of the family, and work for a living. She also enjoys her time to relax with her husband. You're a doer with a plan. Sister #1 is a doer without a plan--just rush, rush, rush and kinda disorganized (and that is definitely not you.)
      It's all very clear to me.

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  3. I think I'm a little of both. Sometimes, I'm the go, go, go woman, but then feel exhausted and wishing I had planned things better. lol

    I strive to be somewhat organized so I can juggle everything that needs to be done and still enjoy the family and friends.

    Great post, Celia.

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    Replies
    1. Oh, you're definitely a Doer..big time. I don't know how you do so much! Thanks.

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  4. I enjoyed your post, Celia. I consider myself a doer and have been all of my life. I think most women, especially mothers, are multi-taskers by necessity. But that is different, as you so clearly point out, from accomplishing something. There is a quotation, "Man's reach should exceed his grasp, else what's a heave for." I'm still reaching.

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  5. Ooops, I meant to say "what's a heaven for" not "heave" in the post above. I will never conquer my bad habit of posting, then proofing what I write. Sorry.

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