IS YOUR TO-DO LIST A MILE LONG?If you’re like me, you probably have several projects on the go and you’re feeling a little overwhelmed. I always thought I was a wizard at multitasking, but lately, nothing seems to be getting done at my desk. There are two open files and papers scattered over my desk. There are four pads of paper with notes telling me what needs to be done. Clippings of book reviews remind me that I need to make a trip to the library soon.
I have a long list of To-Do items and some of them I’m looking forward to doing, but I just sit at my desk that’s stacked with folders and lip gloss and nail polish, and procrastinate by refilling my coffee cup and reading the morning paper. Which folder should I start on first?
FOCUS ON ONE THING AT A TIME
It’s so easy to begin one project and put it aside to work on something else, but pretty soon there’s a stack of unfinished work that is demanding your attention. Now you’re wasting time worrying about how and when the work will get done. If the multitasking isn’t working, resort to a more structured method.
If writing is your main means of earning money, and even if it isn’t, make sure your friends and family know that there are certain times you won’t be available to chat or help with homework or bake chocolate chip cookies. Writing is work or should I say hard work?
GET HELP
Outsource some of your non-writing tasks such as housework, shopping, cooking, etc to others. Close your office door, hang up a DO NOT DISTURB sign and let the message machine pick up your calls so you can get to work. But first you need to do a few things. Take a look at your desk. Can you actually see the surface? Remove anything that doesn’t need to be there including the dust. We’ll do it together.
Great, now I have a clean working space in front of me with no distractions. Just the notes that I wrote this morning for this post are in front of me and I will complete this task before I move on to something else.
PLAN IN ADVANCE
Make a To-Do list and start with the most pressing project, the one that has a deadline or will bring in some cash. If there aren’t any deadlines, start with the easiest task and work your way up to the more complicated ones. I don’t like to plan too far ahead so I don’t make monthly schedules. Weekly and daily schedules work better for me. Make sure you keep that list and all the associated files hidden from view while you’re working. They’re just a daunting reminder of the 101 things that need to be done. Concentrate on one thing at a time. It’s called SINGLE HANDLING. If you’ve been writing for a while you’ll know how long each project should take. Allot a specific amount of time for each task on your schedule, but add extra time for glitches.
GROUP SIMILAR TASKS TOGETHER
If you have several posts to write for blogs, or query letters to editors and literary agents, do them one after another. Working on similar tasks will keep you in that frame of mind and the work will flow quickly. If one task is long, like writing a novel, break it down into smaller chunks.
Writing may be the main part of our daily efforts, but there are other facets to writing that are just as important. Editing and marketing take up a great deal of time and need to be on the To-Do list.
Allot a specific amount of time to answer emails, organize or research. Taking a trip into the internet can turn into a maze of clicking from one site to another and, before you know it, the day is over. Use a timer if you usually get distracted. Give yourself enough time to message friends and co-workers, and then get started on the real work.
LEARN TO SAY NO
Are you the one who always gets drafted into helping others? That was me until a few years ago. I didn’t like to disappoint people, but since I’m not the type to ask for help, my favors were rarely reciprocated. If the favor doesn’t compensate you financially and it will eat into your writing time, think before you say yes. One way to stop the good deeds is to charge money for your time. Just say, “I’d love to help you, but if it’s during my working schedule, I charge so much an hour.” My guess is you won’t be asked to do favors anytime soon.
There are three things on my list that I need to do today. The first is to write this blog. I can cross that one off. And next I must critique novel chapters for two writers from my writing circle. Once I track the changes and comments, I’ll send them off, one to Florida where a member spends her winters (lucky lady) and the other locally.
One thing I know for certain is that my To-Do list will never be finished.
So how do you organize your To-Do list?
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