How often do we
grumble about never having the time to accomplish everything on our to-do
lists? Depending on how realistic, optimistic and determined we are, we CAN
find more hours in the day.
It’s all a matter of Time
Management.
Start by making a
list of your average (work) day – spend a few days doing this in real time so
you are accurate. What is taking up chunks of time? Is this time accomplishing necessary
chores and/or earning you real money? What amount of time are you averaging
that does nothing to help you achieve your goals? Be realistic, be critical and
be unemotional – this list is basically for your eyes only.
Next, similar to
making a business plan, list your short and long term goals and make a list of
the things you need to do to reach those goals (things like sending query letters,
blogging, writing “x”-hours per day, etc). What on your list pays off the most
in terms of accomplishment and/or actual money earned? What amount of time on
your list and what things are you doing that have nothing or little to do with
WORK? These non-work activities are especially challenging for work-at-home
writers; we tend to hear our children calling for us, think we can manage to
squeeze in another load of laundry, get distracted by personal telephone calls
and even “get lost” on social media sites. (Doing social media is a necessary
part of networking and promotion BUT it needs to be limited in time.)
Keep a calendar and
to-do list to help keep track of deadlines – this includes assignments, due
dates (even on spec), appointments (work related), and absolutely necessary
personal obligations. (Is it necessary? If you are a boss and an employee comes
to you needing time off, is it something you would grant?) Cross off the items
on your to-do list as you finish them, it will give you a sense of
accomplishment; carry over the tasks you haven’t finished and stay on track. If
you find a particular task continues to be carried over, examine the reason
why, re-evaluate its necessity, and find a new way to approach getting it done.
If your to-do list and working time habitually clash, reassess the way you are
working, the demands you’ve set for yourself, and where you can devote more time
to work. Don’t be shy or bullied, let your family and friends know you are
maintaining a job and they need to both respect and help you out.
Keep yourself
organized. Use a file cabinet, milk crate or on desk sorter to keep file folders
and paperwork in order an easily accessible. Start using electronic reminders
(on line calendars, cell phone reminders, etc) to remind you of important dates
and events just in case you lose track of time. Always make sure to walk away
from your desk periodically, take a coffee break, eat lunch, get some air – limit
your break time but it is necessary to keep your mind fresh and your body
healthy.
Writing exercise: Describe a group of children in a playground setting in a
three to five sentence paragraph. Do NOT use dialogue and do NOT label emotions
(happy, sad, etc ). Use the actions of the children to set the emotional time.
Next describe five random people trapped in an elevator – the same as above, NO
dialogue and NO named emotions. Finally describe a class of med-school students
in a classroom waiting to take an important written test towards their degree.
Writing prompt: Finish these sentences:
(1) I used to go there
often until the night ---
(2) The last time I was
arrested for that, I ---
(3) I was surprised at
their reaction when I told them that I ---
(4) It was the very
last time I had ---
(5) The delicious
dinner reminded me of the time ---
(6) They waited for the
doctor to come in with news of ---
(7) He couldn’t afford
to pay his ---
(8) When they moved in
together, their parents were ---
(9) The meal was
delicious, it was the first time she had ever had ---
(10) The most important
event of my life was ---
