Deadline Brain

12 months worth of planning

This is what writing looks like. In real life.

This is the state of my desk.

And my office.

Huge deadlines are looming way too fast in my future.

Resources

So the brain is in deadline-mode, with occasionally forays into gone-over-the-edge and into needs-a-vacay zone.

Pray for me!

Here is something that keeps me going. Ahhh.

10 Tips on How to Survive and Meet a Deadline

In the midst of four important deadlines I realized that I use some pretty successful strategies to meet and survive pressing deadlines.

So here, in the middle of the chaos of aching neck muscles, sore back, numb backside, tired eyes, and messy house, I pause to share with you what gets me through to the end. I hope these tips help you as much as they help me.

1. Chunk it. When feeling discouraged and overwhelmed, break the assignment into manageable parts. Like "tonight I will complete the first week of activities" (I write curriculum). You could do one chapter, one topic, one idea, one unit, one scene - just make it a portion of your total work. If you are really pressed, divide sections of work according to how many days you have before the deadline. Do the required amount each day.

2. Spa water. I feel pampered when I add cucumber slices to my water bottle. Lemon, lime, and orange give the same effect. This strategy is two-fold. You drink a lot of water, which is healthy and keeps your mental wheels turning. You drink a lot of water and you have to get out of the chair to visit the restroom. Movement reboots the brain.

3. Say no. This is usually obvious, but I really have a hard time saying no. Especially when it's something I want to do or someone I want to help. I know myself. It's hard, but sometimes the word NO is the most important word you can use. No. There. I feel better. No more added responsibilities while working on this project.

4. Movement breaks. Walk one block, half a mile, three loops, whatever it takes. Put on the crazy music and work up a quick sweat. Stretch, twist, jump, swing around. Yoga could help also, though the last time I did it I severely injured my back (uh, beginner here) and was out of commission for several days' worth of movement. That being said, choose movements your body is used to. Until the deadline is fulfilled. Then try a new activity.

5. Chocolate. Yes. Lots. Of. Chocolate. In a variety of forms. No substitutes.

6. Ask for help. I bet there is someone who would love for you to ask them for help. You help them all the time, right? Return the favor. Let them pick up the kids at school, bring over pizza, throw dishes in the dishwasher, or start a load of laundry. Now is the perfect time for your kids to go on a play date. Somewhere. Anywhere. Not at your house. Nana and Papa would love a sleepover!

7. Reward yourself. Make a coffee date with a special friend for after the deadline. Book a weekend retreat. Promise you will buy that book you've been wanting or a new pair of running shoes. Treat yourself after you meet your deadline.

8. Relax your standards. Who cares if the house is dusty, the fridge is close to empty, and you are wearing clothes for the third time in a row? Everything will eventually get put back to order. Breathe.

9. Take a break. If you find yourself thinking and writing in circles (and that is not the assignment), stop and do something totally unrelated to writing and your project. Watch a movie. Call a friend. Go get ice cream (chocolate, see number 5). Break your brain rut by thinking of something else.

10. Pray. Really, this should be number one. From personal experience, I can say that without prayer, nothing comes together the way it should. Even then I've had to keep praying and sweat things out until the very last minute. God always comes through. He provided the opportunities for a deadline in the first place. He will keep you at it and help you make that date. Try it.

Find any you like? Let me know how they work for you.

Back to the deadlines.

Angie Quantrell works best when she has a deadline. Otherwise, the garden needs weeding, brownies must be baked, rubber stamps need exercise, and that stack of unread books magnetically sucks her in.

Hello!

Spring flowers found up Little Naches side road

Well, hello there!

It has been a long time. Both in number of days and mental overload with lack of availability of actually having time and thoughts to compose a blog post. Or any sane thoughts to compose. Period.

But I'm back! It's time to do some blogging. I have multiple ideas scribbled on scraps of paper around the house. Probably won't find them all - or will find them and will not understand what I was thinking/imagining/planning.

That's OK.

School is out. Only one more week of post-school paperwork, cleaning, and packing. Summer is almost officially here. 3 of 4 writing deadlines have passed. No new kittens yet to distract me (more on that to come, just wait - Monet and Mabel on the way). Garden has already passed my ability to keep up. Dead lavender has been replaced. ??? Why did it die? No idea. Guess? Too much dog pee. Since they sit right next to the road.

And a new adventure. It's the changing of the career. Full-time teaching is out. Full-time writing is in. Well, there will still be some teaching and lots of ministry. But more time for writing. Hurrah!

So let's get this thing going. Missed you.

Nesting

I'm nesting.

Not the kind you are thinking of. But kind of.

As of yesterday, I would have told everyone to run for their lives before they entered my office/sewing/craft/stamping/closet/library room. Hazardous to your health, avoid at all costs, hazmat before entering.

And then the printer died. Our household seems to be enjoying a spate of electronic failures. After an expensive trip to Costco, new printer box in hand, I entered the scary room.

Alas. No way to transfer or organize so much as a tittle. Major hauling out of stuff - school supplies, give away piles, things for grands to do, magazine pile for hospital, haul to the garage stack...

It is nesting. I do nesting best when I am pregnant and about to give birth (I am not by any stretch of the imagination preggers) or when I have a deadline. How about three very big and important deadlines? With school looming in the near future? Writers of all genres say writing a book is similar to giving birth. Those manuscripts are our babies. Less in terms of blood, stitches, breast feeding, diapers, and hospital stays. But sleepless nights, angst, preparation, nurturing, snacking, obsession, swaddling,...

Throughout college, each time there was a final or a paper or a major project due, I had to organize my desk and get the room tidy. Only then I was able to concentrate on details.

One would think my house would be impeccable, with the plethora of due dates. Not true.

But my desk looks fantastic.