I am working on so many projects simultaneously, I feel a bit overwhelmed. In order to be as efficient as possible, I'm needing to write "to do" lists and set priorities...but sometimes, when my brain goes into overdrive, it simply freezes...like a deer in the headlights. And then of course, I freeze, and feel like I can't move forward.
My projects are creative ones...lots and lots of writing. Because I am a writer. That's what I do. Some of the stuff I'm working on is actually more creative than other stuff, so I am definitely using two different parts of my brain. But at the end of the day, all I'm doing is dealing with the art of crafting words. Plays, articles, blog posts, course outlines, cover letters...it's all words, words, words. And as much as I love words...instead of having this constant running stream of words flowing through my brain, I sure could use a brief bit of quiet. There's so much noise in my head these days...I need to turn down the volume.
I truly believe that we create our own lives, and I have definitely created my life as a writer. I welcome all the opportunities that are coming my way, but I also treasure the moments when I can put down the dictionary and the thesaurus, close my eyes, and see images rather than words. I am a pretty cerebral gal, and usually think in terms of words and phrases---that in itself is not a good thing or a bad thing, it's just who I am.
But I do wish I thought more in images...I wish my brain were more cinematic...sometimes it is...in my dreams it is...I see movies in my mind from time to time, and that actually helps me a lot when I'm constructing plays or short stories. But mostly I think in terms of ideas and concepts...sounds kinda boring, but actually if you were inside my head, you'd realize it's not boring at all. Trust me on that one!
Wow...I have really gotten off topic here...but I guess it's okay for my mind to wander like this. After all, it's 3AM and I've got the rest of the day to prioritize and utilize my fabulous time management skills. Yes, I'm writing a blog post at 3AM so I can write other stuff later in the day. On a Sunday. Freelancers never have a weekend. I don't mind...I like what I do...but it would be nice to spend a Sunday flitting away the day looking at pretty pictures....
Please tell me--how do you organize your time?
4 comments:
horrible at time management..I wait until the last minute then race madly to finish or do something.
I'm not great at time management either. I have to admit to a little bit of writer envy- wow, how cool to write all day, to have that much to work on! Then again, I can imagine the feeling of being overwhelmed by language. If I could leave a suggestion, maybe take time in your day to daydream. Allow yourself to drift away to some beach or forest in your mind, where no words are necessary, where you can focus on the sensual experience of nature- the smells of the land and the feeling of the breeze- and let your speaking mind rest.
"How do I organize my time?" Poorly, I must admit. I am a bit like Beatnheart. I often leave an important or a very important item to the last minute, and then I either get it done before an external deadline arrives, or unhappily I don't get it done before the deadline. Don't get me wrong -- I do some things on time, like my taxes, which I typically finish by early to late February. But all too often I do procrastinate, and I pay the penalty in stress and/or missed opportunities.
Are all of your tasks that take up your creative time related to your writing? For instance, are you finding yourself running last minute errands because you got caught up in your writing flow and now you need to make it to the store or bank before 5pm? One of the best things to do is outsource those time consuming (and work interrupting) hours so you can focus on what you do best. Concierge Services are all over the country and usually have very reasonable rates to help freelancers and business owners focus on their work - perhaps even allowing for a Sunday to look at pretty pictures :)
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