It's Important To Treat. Yo. Self.

For those who don't watch NBC's "Parks and Recreation", here are two clips explaining what the heck the title of this post is referring to.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsABTmT1_M0&w=640&h=360]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBcRjha8VBc&w=640&h=360]

Not having a steady paycheck is of course one of the major downsides of starting your own company and/or being a writer.  Your landlord doesn't care if your latest script is hilarious.  If it doesn't sell, you can't pay your rent.

Another downside is the lack of structure.  I work from home.  My laptop is always around.  I don't take the weekends off.  I feel guilty if I'm not working on novel number two, tweaking the AGD business plan, finishing a rewrite on a spec, working on my TV idea pitches, etc.

The thing is, I'm producing diminishing returns.  I'm fried.

I finally hit the wall last week.  While I do have a slew of pitches coming up, (which I have no control over), I have to get some kind of schedule in place.

I also need to treat myself once in a while.  I have been so severe with my budget, it's insane.  I can account for every single euro I spend.

I have no desire to have credit card debt or to be irresponsible.  But I cannot continue to live the way I'm living.   Something has to change.

So, I'm going to loosen the reins a little.

Treat. Yo. Self. 2012 has begun.