The top stressors in life: marriage, divorce, death, moving, new job, new baby, loss of job… Then there are the small stressors – an April 15th deadline for not one, but four related projects (one rather massive) and relatives appearing the week before and staying for an unstated amount of time. Oh, and let’s just toss in that 1040 and Schedule C while we’re at it.
I have one week in which to interview nine people for various newsletter articles and deliver a nine-page project, plus two press releases. I said the deadline was the 15th, right? More than a week. However, with company coming and staying, I have no idea how much time I’ll have to work on said project. So guess what? We’re doing it now while we have guaranteed time to do it. Did I mention it’s a new client?
Let’s just toss in those taxes, too. I mean, while I’m having so much fun, why not? I’m glad now that I took time this month to rough them out on paper. I need one figure to get them completed. And pay. Oh boy, will I pay.
I have another project due May 1, but I’ve got to arrange four interviews for that between now and then. I have one lined up. That’s less of a priority, but it needs to be done soon. Also, I have an online writing business course I’m developing and that needs to be finished (the details will be posted here soon, I promise).
Tension aversion is possible with organization and prioritization. I have daily deadlines I have to meet. I have one weekly deadline to meet. Those come first – always. Then the nearest deadline is given priority. All related work comes before the project with the longer deadline. It gets worked in after the rest is handled for the day. The course? I write that after everything else is on its way. I have it mapped out, so the work left is the filling in.
In the past, I’ve had projects go horribly wrong when I’ve tried to fit too much business and personal in together. Hence the reason I work harder to get the projects completed ahead of schedule. Not that it’s foolproof – clients could go over the project and have strong objections or major changes that could have me working long hours after company retires. The only process that makes me feel even remotely at ease is to organize, prioritize, and check each thing off the list after giving it ample attention. So this week is a long week.
How do you handle when you’re about to take time off? What’s your method of getting it done without losing five years of your life span?
10 responses to “Averting Tension or Disaster (or both)”
Clear it off my desk as fast as possible. Only way for me. I can't enjoy the personal time with a deadline over my head.
I was supposed to do my taxes this weekend and didn't. Schedules A, C, E all for me, plus my first time doing the quarterlies.
The sad thing is, honestly, I don't give a damn. I'll do them, I'll get them in on time, and if I made a mistake, they'll tell me.
You missed one: teenage daughters 🙂
Wow. I'll be checking it to see how you handle this one. I'm sure you'll triumph.:)
Sadly I haven't taken much time off since I started freelancing, but I'm planning for at least one getaway this year. I'll let a couple of regular clients know I'll be away and probably double up to get their projects done before the big day.
I'm facing tension and disaster right now, and at this point, I can't say I'm going to win. I have a non-negotiable Friday noon deadline for a very large project that I got a late start on. I have a bad head cold and can barely compose a sentence, much less 5000 words of sales copy. My children are on their Easter break and making lots of noise in the house. And my husband on short notice scheduled himself for knee surgery tomorrow and will need my time and attention for at least a full day. I am just plugging away doing what I can and hoping it will be enough.
Oh Eileen, if I had a spare minute, I'd give it to you. Hang in there – I know you'll meet that deadline.
Devon, one thing is certain – the IRS excels at telling you if you've made a mistake. I think I'm on their "preferred fool" list. 😉
I did forget that one, Colin! Wait – mine is 21. The requests become more expensive.
So far today, Kim, things look good. But you never know what tomorrow brings!
I remember to breathe… seriously… when I get tense I tend to stop breathing deeply… breathing deeply really helps… and I don't skip meals because my thinking goes blooey if I'm hungry.
hang in there kiddo
So far so good, Anne. The day went off well. I got more accomplished than I expected. Let's hope for four more days like this!
Hi Lori:
I do it the same way you're doing it–by organizing and churning copy out ahead of client deadlines. That way if I have any unexpected leeway later, I can polish or look at things with fresh eyes.
I'm a morning person so I also cope by sneaking in extra hours early in the morning–this works well when I have guests or my eldest son is home from college.
(When my kids were very young I would set the alarm for 3:30 am and work until 7:00am when they awakened. Very glad those years are over.)
If you don't already, might I suggest you outsource transcriptions of your taped interviews?
I'm sure your excellent work will please your clients–and you won't be sorry you made time for your company.
Thinking of you!
Hi Lorraine!
I have a bit of a reprieve – an extra week before they arrive – so I can get more done in that time. I think the notion of getting up at 3 would just kill me! You must have been so tired at noon!
I could outsource the tapes, but I've got a method of writing down where I scan the tapes after setting up the subheads and pull out the most powerful quotes. I've pretty much stopped transcribing, amen. I have everything digital now, so it's easier to keep my notes verbatim, so to speak. But if the project were large enough, you bet I'd farm those out!
Hmm…I've had four out of the top seven stressors you listed in the past year (everything except baby, divorce and death, thank goodness.) I've dealt with them in a variety of healthy and unhealthy ways, and am still trying to figure out what works best for me. But generally, I've found that the old cliches–calling a friend, getting outside for some exercise, eating right and getting enough sleep–really are the best remedies. Oh yeah, and I've also discovered yoga this year.