Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Time Goes By

Some of you know I'm a high school teacher.  Today is the last day of school.  Yippee!!!  I always set goals for the summer about my writing.  Big plans.  Last year was the first time I came close to meeting those goals.  But I still dream big.

Things do distract me during the summer.  All those cleaning projects, a big yard to take care of, a swimming pool to enjoy and that tempting stack of books to read, combine to steal hours from my writing time.  Well, it's not really stealing since I allow myself to spend those hours so pleasantly. 

Despite all those distractions, I wonder why I accomplish more during my limited hours when school is in session than over the summer months when I don't have to do the day job thing.  Why? Is it because I believe I have tons of time so I put things off?  Does this prove I would struggle to be a full time writer because I can't manage my time?  If true, there's goes my retirement plans.

Well, I have some big plans for this summer and I'm digging in as soon as I get the tanbark spread, sand the deck and .... No this year I'm putting writing closer to the top of the list.  I have one huge project going and two medium ones and a couple of smaller ones.  I'll reveal them as I delve into them. 

I was always the child who wrote their term paper the night before it was due.  I know I do good work under pressure.  What about you? Do you work better when you have nearly unlimited time or are you a 'work under pressure' type? Do you need a deadline to keep you on task?

11 comments:

The Happy Whisk said...

Happy Summer Holiday, to you. Woohoo. Here's to having a great time, getting the work done, and enjoying every minute of it.

Rah.

Luanne G. Smith said...

Yay to the last day of school!

Summer is a big distraction for me too. I love being outside in the garden. Fortunately I'm starting a new project right now. I work in a notebook at that stage, so I can sit outside and write.

I think most people do better under a deadline. If the work has to get done it gets done. Otherwise it's easy to slack off. Work and play is a good mix for summer, though. :)

Bossy Betty said...

Oh, Darling. I just wrote a post about this not too long ago. You are not yet in Stage One of Summer. I hope you have a GREAT vacation! You deserve it!

(Shameless suggestion to read the post here:)

http://bossybetty.blogspot.com/2011/05/its-summer-please-report-to-appropriate.html

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I guess NaNo proved I work well under pressure.
You know, they always say busy people get things done...

Cheryl Klarich said...

Summer goes by too fast!! I always think I'm going to have all this time and... bam... it's gone!

Okay, so I'm believing that this will NOT happen to you!

Blessings and congratulations on completing another school year. I'll bet your students love you!

Ava Quinn said...

As a former teacher (ten year veteran), may I say from the bottom of my heart . . . WOO HOOOO!!!!

Sing with me!!!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

As to your question, I'm a subscriber of the "If it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done" school of thought. I definitely need deadlines.

Have a truly wonderful and relaxing summer vacation. And I can't wait to hear about your new projects!!

Anonymous said...

Enjoy your summer!!!
I definately work better under pressure - if I don't give myself a deadline... I'm off prancing around on facebook and twitter etc. ;)

Jemi Fraser said...

We still have a few more weeks to go before summer starts. I'm looking forward to it!!!

I do find deadlines help keep me on track and focused! It can be so hard to not get distracted :)

Enjoy!

Helen Ginger said...

I think I'm a work under pressure type of writer. I'm less easily distracted when I know I don't have time to drift away from writing.

Paula RC said...

Like you I thought I would get more done with more time to write, but I have found that I get more jobs around the house done instead.

As far as my writing goes, my writing maybe less, but I feel that the quality is much better and stronger, I'm hoping it will mean less editing later on.

One can live in hope:-)

Katie O'Sullivan said...

Happy Summer vacation!

Alex had it right - busy people get more done, or have you heard the saying "if you want something done, ask a busy person."

If you know you're a deadline person, set yourself hard deadlines, with prizes and/or consequences. Or better still, find a crit partner or group and make yourself responsible to someone other than just yourself. I never wrote as much or as consistently as when I was in a weekly writing group.