How Deadlines Help Me Meet My Goals
Taking Advantage of Parkinson’s Law
I am learning the best tool for meeting my goals. It is in using deadlines. Last week I decided that I would finish editing my book A Coward’s Solace and publish it in a form to give to my first beta reader. That is exactly what I did. Because I had that project to do, I was pressed for time. I wasn’t sure that I would be able to get this blog out. Rather than giving up and making the excuse that I didn’t have time, I decided that I would take advantage of Parkinson’s Law and go ahead and try to see if I could finish the blog after all. I figured that I could at least get started on it. So here I am.
What is Parkinson’s Law?
Parkinson’s Law – work expands to fill the time available for its completion
Creating Deadlines Makes Me Focus on Meeting My Goals
Because I am limiting the time that I have to complete this project by using this deadline, I have to focus on the project. That was why I finished editing my manuscript last week. I decided that I would have it edited and formatted by the time that I went to work Thursday afternoon. That was exactly what I did. I have one major goal off the table thanks to the deadline that I gave it. If I didn’t have the deadline I would probably still be editing.
This week I will have several other deadlines that I intend to complete. For instance, this week January ends so I have to have both this blog and the one for next Thursday finished along with the remaining Bubblews that I want to write. I also am working on an on-line marketing campaign for my book: Simply Vegetable Gardening. Last year I got the book out a little too late for the gardening season, so I want to focus on that market. In addition, I need to do some research for my February Affirmation which will be: I am Energetic, Fit, Strong, and Healthy. More on that subject later. Oh, yes, I also have the covers for A Coward’s Solace to work on. If I can get all that done, I will start working on the next novel that I intend to publish this year: Sailing under the Black Flag
What about you? Do Deadlines Help you meet your goals?
Author Cygnet Brown 
yes…I’ve been working with deadline for over three years now as a freelance writer. One thing I’ve found about being self-employed is that those who make it are the ones who treat their home jobs like a regular job in the business world…regular hours, deadlines, goals and a game plan. 🙂
Exactly, its all about professionalism! This is the difference between a professional writer and an aspiring one.