This spills over into my job as a teacher. Since I teach PE for grades K-8, my weekly lesson plan looks like a spread sheet, with equipment and activities carefully planned so I have time to transition between say, an eighth grade class and kindergarten.
So I've always been okay at time management. Once I decided to start seriously writing again last summer, it wasn't a huge deal for me to set aside a few hours each day and stick to them. I knew that if I didn't, I'd never reach my goal. I don't have a word count goal per say - although I do have an average- but if I don't reach that average, it's not cause for disappointment. Any words are better than none.
I've also found that my enthusiasm for writing is in proportion to how much time I read for fun. Giving myself the reward of curling up with a great book (instead of doing something productive, like organizing the closet) keeps me motivated.
So how do you manage your time? If you struggle with finding time, why?
How do you stay motivated to accomplish whatever goal you've set?
8 comments:
I manage my time by setting goals for myself, and avoiding things that might be potential distractions. It's much easier said than done though!
I'm a list-writer. If I need to get a lot done in a day, I'll write a list which includes really simple stuff, as well as what actually NEEDS to get done. Seeing things gradually disappear from the list really works for me.
I'm okay at setting goals and sticking to them, but I'm a horrible procrastinator. So I get things done each day, but it usually winds up being late at night, at the cost of lost sleep. I like to-do lists though, and I'm pretty good about not leaving work or not going to bed until everything essential is done from my to-do list. I reward myself by watching TV or reading, though I have a couple bigger rewards planned (jewelry and the like) for when I hit major milestones (like sending my WIP to agents).
i think i am pretty good at time management--of course at the end of week there are things, i wish i had gotten to but did not--good post to think about!
Gah. I don't manage time well. Can I hire you to come over and do it for me? I don't watch TV, but I don't seem to have much time to read either. Though I feel like I am constantly going. Sigh. I'll figure it out one day.
Great minds think alike! ;)
I try very hard to manage my time - unfortunately, I tend to cram too much stuff into one day's schedule and then get way behind.
I think once this blog tour's over, I might try to start small with just a couple of blocked off hours per day for chores or writing or something to get on track! I'm crazy about your clock picture up there - it reminds me of the Weasleys!
Wow! You are breathtakingly organized. We keep a timetable of the usual weekly activities scrawled up on a whiteboard int the kitchen, but beyond that every week is different.
As for finding time to write, that comes a poor second (or third, or fourth) to darned nearly everything else going on.
It is a constant battle, and my answer to fixing it changes every day...
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