Where oh where has this month gone? I feel like I’ve been super busy but my “To Do” list is growing LONGER instead of SHORTER. I have done quite a bit of traveling and being out and about. Now that I’m finally feeling better I’m turning into a major social butterfly. I’m an odd combination of introvert and extrovert usually but I’m having a major extrovert moment here.
I’ve also committed to getting healthier so I’ve spent a huge amount of time kayaking and hiking. The leaves are STUNNING this year and my creative/visual brain is totally high on color, shape and texture. Hopefully, that will translate into inspiration when I get time to get back in the studio.
Speaking of time in the studio…I set a goal at the beginning of this year to earn $1,000/month writing. That’s just writing. No design work, sponsored posts etc. I decided I wanted to become a better writer and earn money doing it so I’ve worked hard at it. Besides, when you are experiencing the kind of fatigue that comes after cancer treatment sitting on your butt and writing is about all you can handle.
OMG! It’s simply GORGEOUS out here! #nature #kayaking #fall #neohio A photo posted by Vicki O’Dell (@thecreativegoddess) on
Anyway, I figured that $1,000/month would pay my bills and I’d feel like a “REAL” writer.
The thing I didn’t take into consideration is how much TIME that kind of writing consumes. I write several hours a day – and by write I mean research, gather images, put together text, SEO the heck out of what I’m writing, and then promote what I’ve written. I’m writing for several websites and while I LOVE it, it eats up a lot of time. Meanwhile, I’ve got product that folks would like to see in a review and projects on a big, long TO DO list, my house isn’t as clean as I would like it to be and I’m trying to tell my husband that he can just go BUY new underwear.
Ok, that last part was my Irish exaggeration machine cranking up but you know, there’s shit to do!
I know we all have the same 24 hours in a day and I’ve made writing and being active two major goals that eat up quite a lot of time. I’m happier for the most part and feeling healthier but I have that “woman guilt” thing where I think I should be doing more. You know how that goes, right?
So while it’s been quiet here on the blog I’m still working and I do have some really fun things in the works for the blog. I even created an editorial calendar for November – I’ve NEVER created an editorial calendar but I have so many great ideas that I needed to get them down and commit to working on them so I can share them here.
How do you deal with feeling pressed for time? How do you prioritize what NEEDS to get done with what you WANT to do? I’d love to hear some of your thoughts in the comments.
Pressed for time, hmmmm…
Obviously, commitments to others are completed first. All other tasks are prioritized by deadlines and then [or] time needed for completion. I also refer to checklists throughout the day. They serve two purposes for me: 1) ensure I get things done that need MY attention; 2) shows productivity in spite of my chronic pain and fatigue [a motivator].
As you feel better I “hear” you taking on more and more responsibilities. That’s fantastic! Nothing heals a body faster than feeling needed, useful and valued. You’re an inspiration, at least for me.
Good tips Pamela. Yeah, I am feeling better and I tend to push myself hard. It’s difficult for me to pull back and go at a realistic pace but it’s something that I really need to do for myself. Still working on it. 🙂
Thanks for your love and support! You mean so much to me!! ♥♥♥