Comments on: Time Management for the Unorganized

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 12:16:51 +0000

Wordvixen, I think I will avoid them. :) I have enough electronic distractions in my life. I can't see how adding one more will enhance my life. Rather, I think it would invade on it significantly.

I like how you let your life flow in and out of interests. Sounds much less stressful than trying to get it all done yesterday. :)

Kagem, try scheduling your marketing. Open Outlook or whatever calendar program you use, pop it in as an appointment, and make a commitment to be there for that "meeting" with yourself. :)

By: Kagem

Kagem — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 04:51:10 +0000

I've done a little more marketing on the phone, and it has made me realise that there is a whole world out there outside that I need to contact.

I wish I could be more consistent with marketing.

By: WordVixen

WordVixen — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 21:30:19 +0000

Yes- you should definitely avoid smart phones! I just got an iPhone and there's a Farmville app. Totally enabling. :-)

I'm pretty good at turning off the games, though, if I have something pressing. Since I tend to obsess and lose interest with everything, I've learned to just go with the flow. Sometimes I'll work my tush off on my sites for a few weeks, then I'll do nothing but play FB games for a few weeks, then I'll just knit and crochet for a few weeks, then I'll curl up and read for a few weeks, and so on. Since I still have a day job, it works for me. I can accomplish more on whatever I'm doing when I'm into it than trying to force myself into a schedule. Not that it would work well if I had clients. :-)

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 19:56:02 +0000

Well Paula, we can't have you neglecting Lori's blog! LOL Shoot! Forgot my own laundry. Back in a minute....

Ashley, I'm glad it's a phone app. I don't have a smart phone - just an idiotic one. On purpose. For this very reason. :)

Wade, toot away! And to your question "who am I to say hire me?" You're Wade Finnegan, professional freelance writer, and you're more than ready to exceed expectations!

Gabriella, definitely start with a Web page. :) And I have electronic Sudoku and crossword puzzles on my e-reader thingie I was gifted for my b-day. Since I won't read books on the damned thing, I'll play games instead. LOL

By: Gabriella F.

Gabriella F. — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:27:13 +0000

Oh, I feel your game pain. I don't play any FB or computer games. But I'm a crossword gal, and I just this weekend willed myself to sit down and conquer Sudoku. I was able to break the code on easy puzzles.

Then yesterday, I tried some medium puzzles. I'm cornfuddled again--but friggin addicted!

Anyway, onto marketing. I'm also a binge marketer, and I know I should be more even paced. I mostly do it when I have lulls, and because it works, I have little incentive to change that pattern.

But I know I should be more diligent. No question about it. And with you constantly reminding me, someday, I will. How about I start with a web page?!

By: Wade Finnegan

Wade Finnegan — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:21:34 +0000

Lori, thanks so much for the interview yesterday. I learn so much from you and no worries about the time thing.

I'm too passive with my marketing. I've been feeling like who am I to say hire me. As I stated before I don't like to toot my own horn. Lori reminded me if I don't, then who will? So, I will set time aside each day to put myself out there. I will even try some cold calls next week. I'm not just a writer, I'm a business and I need to treat it as such.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 15:52:51 +0000

Words with Friends is a free scrabble app for your phone. I only play a word every other day or two, so it doesn't take up too much time. My ID is hedgiemomma if you wanna play ;)

And yes, I already know I am a terrible person for mentioning it.

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 15:46:53 +0000

Today's title speaks directly to me. But more for my disorganized office (okay - house) than for time management.

I seldom do any marketing (or anything but write) on a deadline-driven "writing day," but on ordinary work days I usually deal with marketing-related things in the morning. Occasionally in the afternoon, too. Even on the writing days I'll make notes of ideas I want to pitch, but that's about it.

Coincidence or not? The time of day I tend to focus on marketing is about the same time I try to check Lori's blog.

My biggest time waster is probably trying to fit everyday household chores into my workday. I threw in some laundry this morning (and need to start another soon), I need to do dishes, and it's been so dry I need to go water my window boxes, potted plants and mini-garden. Oh, but remember, I'm taking today and tomorrow off. Well semi-off. I've got one set of edits to do and would like to do some marketing.

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 15:43:20 +0000

Devon, you're right. It does take a different mindset.

For me, once I finish a project or take a break, I can switch gears then. I welcome it. But it's really easy to let marketing suck up a ton of time, so I have to limit myself or I get no paid work done. :)

Ashley, do NOT mention another game to me! I'm awful. I get pulled into them too easily.

See, I have the same thing. I have a blog post to write that's ultimately much more fun than what I'm doing. Oh well. Fun comes later. It's like a little reward. :)

By: Ashley

Ashley — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:33:54 +0000

I'm best at cutting out all the time-wasters like Facebook. I can get sucked into reading posts for an hour, so when I turn it off, I find I get a LOT of work done. I've never played the games on there because I just find them silly, but I do play Words with Friends, so that can be a time waster too. It's best if I limit myself significantly on those things if I'm under the gun.

Also, I find that I'll do simple tasks to procrastinate doing important but more complicated tasks. Yesterday was a perfect example. I have a blog post I need to edit for a friend, but I also have two papers due for class tomorrow. I wanted to edit the blog post because it's shorter and easier, but it's unpaid and not on deadline (and therefore less important!) than getting my papers turned in on time. I had to consciously tell myself: Do not edit the blog right now. Do your paper. And guess what ... I did! :)