Comments on: Bookending

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:53:38 +0000

I also bookend other stuff I don't really like doing, like the dishes or the laundry... not all the time, but sometimes. And since I hate calling back and saying I didn't get it done, I usually do.

For me it takes both sides of the bookend.

Oh, and thanks for the link ;)

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:43:04 +0000

Paula, you're right about competition. Sometimes that's as strong a motivation as accountability is!

Damaria, that sounds like a super practice. Maybe I should try that here, too?

By: Damaria Senne

Damaria Senne — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:26:51 +0000

Every morning Monday – Friday I email two friends – one is a writer and the other is small business owner – to tell them what I'm planning to accomplish that day. They also email me their day writing/business-related schedules. Seeing the same objective show up in my list every morning is a stark reminder that I have to get on and do it. And I can't just slack off when want because my accountability partners would want to know why I'm not making progress on certain plans. And yes, they have called me on it when I failed check in with them or some assignment stayed on the list too long.

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:17:31 +0000

I'm an obsessive list maker. I love the feeling of accomplishment I get each time another task is crossed off the list. (It's so bad that if I do something extra I write it down just so I can cross it off. I know - that's silly, and possibly a form of OCD, but I do it.)

Because freelancers work independently it's really important for us to have some form of accountability. A looming deadline is enough to keep most of us on track, but might not be enough for procrastinater who keep blowing deadlines.

Another thing that works for me is competition. A long time ago, a writer friend set a goal for herself of completing one article per week. Even without telling her I had to try to match or beat that. In grade school I played flute in an extracurricular band (most kids signed up just to get out of class a little early). When the band director realized almost no one was practicing at home, he gave us charts to track how much time we practiced, and a parent or guardian had to confirm and sign the sheet. Having to put it down on paper - and be accountable - motivated me to practice, even if it was just 10 minutes here or 15 minutes there. I didn't want to be the kid who wasn't trying.