Finally starting to get my bearings back. To throw away 'motivation', I've come across a more accurate word for what I had been lacking until recently; resolve. I had all of these things I wanted to improve in but, being my generally lazy self, I would be too overwhelmed by how far I had to go to take any steps at all. But that's all one can ever do, take steps. It was an important lesson that I learned when I was off for training; that consistent educated effort pays off, but it doesn't happen overnight. In a situation where I was more or less forced to comply that's all well and good, but it didn't change my slothful nature, and I found myself slipping backward. It was a chance to learn the lesson, and then it became all on me to have the strength to apply it.

This lesson of little by little applies to every endeavor, as much to art as exercise or any skill. I'm doing a better job at keeping this in mind lately, and have been rather productive in both areas. One of the ways to keep this up for me is to write on a calendar the days I have done something toward my goal. To see that I have been doing well recently is motivation to keep going, while seeing I haven't done much in the last few days is a kick to get back on top of things. I get on these surges where I work toward something for a few days, then get bored and start drifting away. Consistency has always been rough for me, and this seems to be working, so I'm hoping it keeps up.