Oct 3, 2012

Insecure Writers - Time Management


Every 1st Wednesday of the month is a time for insecure writers to group together. This month, my mind is obsessed with time. 

I have a bad habit of taking on more projects each day than can possibly be tackled in a 24hr period. My to-do lists grow into epic quests. Some of the projects I'm trying to juggle now are:
  • Organise a launch, distribution and sales points for My Zombie Dog.
  • Finish writing first draft to Undead Kev, sequel to My Zombie Dog.
  • Edit/rewrite DOGNAPPED? My tween girl mystery.
  • Find time to write my love project Warracknabeal Kids, a mystery set in 1939 outback Australia.
  • Edit and submit short stories into competitions.
  • Set myself up to run workshops at schools/libraries for creative writing.
  • Together with my team, organise an Indie Expo for Australia's music, film, art and writing industry.
Each of these projects have many tasks to complete, and I want them all done NOW! I start to feel panicky, like I'm running late (I CAN'T run late EVER). Of course I also need to fit life in around these tasks. 

I am taking steps to manage all these projects:
  • Downloaded Pomodorable from the Mac App store. This uses the method of set time limits per task. You work on one task for twenty minutes, then take a ten minute break (stretch, move about).
  • Morning pages - I write three pages longhand when I wake up. It's not always useful words, but it does push me to keep going.
  • I'll (try to) limit my task numbers on my to-do list. Do you know if you have more than five tasks on your list you're less productive on each one? A to-do list needs to be achievable, otherwise it just becomes a reminder of failure and a form of punishment. I need that reward of ticking boxes.
So what do you do to manage time wisely? If it's time to write you need, you can check out this post:

23 comments:

  1. Lists are always good to create. They keep one on task and on track, I like to use them myself. I wish you luck achieving everything on yours.

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  2. I'm a daily list keeper. The days I work, I limit my MS time to 1 1/2 first thing in the morning or after dinner depending on when I've been scheduled to work. On my days off, I slot out the first 3 hours to my MS, then blogs, then other social media. Doing things in chucks of time is doable for me.

    Hugs and chocolate,
    Shelly

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  3. Putting no more than five things on my to-do list for the day has been a huge help for me. It is important to recognize that no matter how many things I want to get done, I really can't do them all.
    The one thing that helps me the most though are the morning pages. Even though I could be doing other things during those precious minutes, doing nothing but channeling the subconscious seems to put everything back into perspective. I guess it is a form of meditation for us writers.

    Good luck with all your projects! It sounds like an exciting schedule. :)

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  4. These are really good suggestions. I like the app you recommended.

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  5. I definitely have a problem with time management. In the morning I have a 'plan of action' usually involving 3-5 things, and by the end of the day I'm lucky if I've finished one.

    Your top 10 list was very helpful. I'm bookmarking that for future use. Thanks for the suggestions!

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  6. Oh yeah, time management is always a toughie which is why I'm a firm believer in 'the list' =)

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  7. Things that are long term goals (like writing a novel)I break up into smaller chunks. So the goal for a particular day maybe doing one chapter of a rewrite. That way I can still tick it off the list.

    mood
    Moody Writing

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  8. I'm exhausted just looking at your list! 2-3 to dos is taxing for me.

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  9. I just do what I can when I can! It's HARD though... you're so spot on! I'm going to go check out that post! :)

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  10. I make a list in my head of things to do. I'm very busy with my life and the blogosphere is in my distraction so it's nearly impossible to find time to write. I write when I feel like it and when I have time to do so.

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  11. lately I've been hopeless with time management. Wow you sound so busy--and it's all with great stuff too! Go you!!

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  12. I used to be a list-maker, and faithfully crossed each item off. Now? Life changes, and takes me with it.

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  13. My problem with time has more to do with the fact that I don't have nearly enough for the writing I want to do. I'd try writing in the early morning if I could force myself to get up any earlier.

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  14. I have a to-do list and try to knock off 10 things a day. The thing is I tackle easier things first, leaving the harder things for the end of the week.

    I usually catch up with writing goals on weekends.

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  15. Charmaine, you're so like me except you actually did get around to publishing a novel! I feel like I'm on a treadmill, getting nowhere fast, but I'm sort of enjoying the journey so it probably doesn't matter!
    See you Wednesday!

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  16. I keep myself to one project at a time in my writing life, but your to-do-list nightmare sounds like my work life. I have too many things that I need to at least keep sight of, but I try to limit the ones highlighted for attention today so I have a fighting chance of dealing with them. That works, until it gets blown out the water by a new and unexpected demand that is going to take up hours - and the deadline is close of business!

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  17. "A to-do list needs to be achievable, otherwise it just becomes a reminder of failure and a form of punishment."

    That's where I self sabotage too. I put too many things on my plate and then don't get to any of them.

    At my day job I can accomplish small things to feel productive. But writing always feels like a BIG project. No matter what "little" thing I accomplish, it never feels like enough.

    You have a lot of interesting things on your list Charmaine. I'm blown away with your innovation and drive interact with the community at large. To me, this is the sign of a hugely successful writer; one willing to go the extra mile for readers. Kudos to you for your thoughtfulness.

    ......dhole

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  18. Sounds like you're busy, busy.

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  19. Interesting list, Charmaine! Lists are good, it keeps things in perspective.

    All the best!

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  20. Good luck with the juggling of those projects...

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  21. OMG Charmaine, you sound a bit like this girl I know. Her name is Dimity Powell and she's wondering if it would be easier to chuck it all in and run away to the circus...no wait...you need to be a good juggler to cope well there too. D'oh!

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