Comments on: A Freelance Writer’s Secret to Effective Time Management

By: Time Tracker

Time Tracker — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 08:31:41 +0000

In addition to creating lists, I try to follow Merlin Mann’s Inbox zero philosophy, and use a time tracking device to not only track billable hours, but to analyze productivity at weeks end.

By: RD

RD — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:43:56 +0000

I just came across this and though I realize the conversation ended a few months ago, I thought I’d comment anyway. I just wrote to a friend about being a listmaker. It’s the ONLY way I’ve found to be productive, and not just as a writer. If I don’t see it on paper with my own eyes, it gets lost in the blur of my mind and my day–and it won’t ever get done. Like you, I am motivated by seeing the check marks or lines through the to-do items. It makes me feel like I’ve conquered the world! Thanks for sharing your secret and validating mine!

By: Bleeding Espresso » how do you get out of a rut?

Bleeding Espresso » how do you get out of a rut? — Fri, 16 May 2008 03:27:47 +0000

[...] personal way of organization has a lot to do with lists. When I’m making them, it means I’m in a good [...]

By: bleeding espresso

bleeding espresso — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:01:07 +0000

@ Academic Eccentric, thanks for that book recommendation and for taking the time to comment.

I love the concept of the bucket of time, rocks, and pebbles; it’s especially useful to me because I realize that even though many things are pebbles, if there are a lot of them, they can take up a whole lot of room; getting those things done is important as well, little by little.

By: The Academic Eccentric

The Academic Eccentric — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:45:51 +0000

Almost every night before I go to sleep, I write my to-do list for the next day, and I sometimes include my meals and workout plan to make that transition run more smoothly, as well.

I’ve mention this on my blog before, but it’s a concept from the book “7 Habits.” I keep the big rocks in place in my bucket of time first, and then the pebbles fall around them. I tend to be a workaholic and write down every single thing I have to do. So I don’t get swamped, I prioritize, either by order or with asterisks.

-AE

By: bleeding espresso

bleeding espresso — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:30:05 +0000

@ Katrina, I do hope the list helps you stop worrying about what you need to do; for me, seeing it spelled out is half the battle

By: Katrina

Katrina — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:12:39 +0000

I am SO relieved to read this post and its comments. I find myself spending…. hours (it’s terrible!) procrastinating and worrying about how much I need to do instead of DOING IT!

Going to write a list right now and revel in the knowledge that I’m not alone!

By: bleeding espresso

bleeding espresso — Mon, 05 May 2008 05:46:07 +0000

@ Laura, absolutely! Work with your strengths

@ Jen, for me recognizing when my brain just isn’t going to produce something I want it to do has really helped my time management–forcing just makes me miserable and the work product suffer.

@ Becky and Robin, ah, change of scenery. Good on you! I don’t tend to work well anywhere else (although a pen and a notebook have been known to surprise me), but even going for a walk helps me recharge. Excellent tip!

@ Kacey, notebook’s always handy for me too–sometimes I just write the ideas right on the list (which is always handy as well)

@ Phil, I’ve also read that endorphins are released when crossing things off lists; it’s good to know my endorphins are working properly then

And yes, I also include family items–I include absolutely everything from the mundane to big work projects. I figure, hey, they all have to get done, right?

Sunday planning. I suppose I kind of do that, envisioning the week as a whole without saying I’ll do X Monday and Y Tuesday (unless of course there are deadlines early in the week).

Such great time management tips from all of you; thanks so much for the warm welcome over here

By: Phil

Phil — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:59:43 +0000

Kacey,

It’d not “childlishly amused.” According to the Franklin Planner people, crossing something off a list triggers a release of endorphins in most people. Of course, they’re trying to sell their planners.

I fall somewhere between list and non-list. Sometimes when I have a lot of different things on my plate, I find that making a list with a Franklin Planner type prioritization helps with juggling immediate deadlines and longer term deadlines that need early work.

Other times I feel like Devon that the list making is keeping me away from doing those things that should be done.

The Sunday night planning idea is also good. Napoleon Hill mentions it in Think and Grow Rich.

Another suggestion: Include family items on master list/calendar. I know that helps me keep things straight/prioritized.

By: Robin

Robin — Sun, 04 May 2008 20:18:27 +0000

Becky –

I’m with you on the coffee house. On Sat morning I drop my son off at art lessons and I have about 50 minutes so I go to the nearby coffee house. I get a lot done. There are no other distractions.

By: kacey

kacey — Sun, 04 May 2008 19:47:45 +0000

I am such a list maker. I am childishly amused by crossing off something from the list. Oh well, at least it works for me. Except when the list gets way too long.

I keep a notebook by the computer too, incase something catches my eye and I want to blog about it.

By: becky

becky — Sun, 04 May 2008 19:04:01 +0000

Sometimes, going to the coffee shop – where I can’t connect to the internet – helps. I can usually churn out a couple of posts before the baby wakes up (he falls asleep in the stroller as I walk there). And that can be more than at home where email, dishes, and laundry are also calling to me.

By: jen of a2eatwrite

jen of a2eatwrite — Sun, 04 May 2008 15:52:47 +0000

It’s so funny, Michelle, that’s exactly what I set up for myself a few months ago, too. I do things like the post office when my brain is too “full” to do the projects I need to.

By: Laura

Laura — Sun, 04 May 2008 15:02:32 +0000

I find it rather interesting. I mean how do we do it? I put out so much more work in a short period under pressure than if I have a full month to do one article. Oh well, I guess I just need to learn to accept that part of myself and make the best of it…hehe. It really isn’t good for the rest of my family though; I feel really sorry for them.

By: bleeding espresso

bleeding espresso — Sun, 04 May 2008 14:08:37 +0000

@ Laura and Fiona, I tend to work well under pressure too–an ability that definitely comes in handy when last minute assignments come in!

By: Fiona

Fiona — Sun, 04 May 2008 14:04:06 +0000

@Laura
I work better the closer to a deadline I am too. I work better under pressure. I have a deadline coming up on May 13 for a book project that I’ve known about since December. Originally I had it all planned out that I would complete a section each month. Instead, I’ve produced more in the last three weeks than the last three months but that’s how I work my best.

By: Laura

Laura — Sun, 04 May 2008 13:56:14 +0000

@Michelle Great info! I too am very much like you. Well, I really thought you were talking about me...hehe. I will definitely try the list thing. My problem is 'making the list'. I seem to find different reasons why I do not need to make it at this time. I do have ADD, so really, I should be making those lists. I also seem to work well when I have a short amount of time left, why is that? Life: NBCs New Hit TV Show Lipstick Jungle: Coming back to NBC This Fall ABC's Brothers and Sisters

By: bleeding espresso

bleeding espresso — Sun, 04 May 2008 08:12:31 +0000

@ Erika, oh I absolutely agree about knowing where you’ve left off. I don’t have a child running around, but I have dogs, a partner who comes home every day for lunch, laundry (!), so if I can split it up into little tasks, I feel much better *and* get more done.

@ Geoff, I’m glad you enjoyed the post! Getting the ball rolling is always a good thing

@ Judy, I’m guilty too! I put things I’ve already did on the list to cross them off–it’s a great mental boost when I see I’ve gotten things done. Yeah, it’s a little mind game, but if it ain’t broke….

And how about “Replenish fluids/energy level” and “Research competition/Catch up on current events/Research x topic” as those new items on the list?

Check!

Another interesting question is whether you check off, draw a line through, scribble out…hmmm…

I draw lines through the items. Anyone else?

By: judy haley

judy haley — Sat, 03 May 2008 23:11:49 +0000

Lists! I love lists. Lists are my friends. Sometimes I put things on the list that I did hours ago, just so I can cross them off.

And it’s true for me too, everytime I cross something off the list I get a little more inspired to do something else I can cross off the list.

But sometimes I forget about them and five hours later I’ve done nothing but surf the internet and drink coffee. Maybe if I put surf the internet and drink coffee on my list…

By: Geoff

Geoff — Sat, 03 May 2008 20:07:05 +0000

I’m a huge advocate of lists. And I agree that it feels great when you can cross a few things off the list. In fact, I usually get all of the small stuff first. Not only does it feel like I’ve really gotten the ball rolling, it’s the quickest way to make you list shorter and increase your focus on just the few items that remain.

Great post.

By: Erika K

Erika K — Sat, 03 May 2008 18:25:15 +0000

Another reasson I do lists and baby steps is because I have a four yr old running around here. Not much chance for long stretches of unterrupted time, so small “bites” are what I usually work with anyway.

Also, when I do get back to writing after being off-task for some potty adventure or errand, my list helps me to refocus where I had to leave off. Someday, when everyone is in school all day, I hope to avoid some of that. But summmer looms ever closer this month. While I don’t have to get up so early, I have a LOT more distractions. Here comes the LIST!!

By: Erika K

Erika K — Sat, 03 May 2008 18:13:51 +0000

@Devon,

You may be one of those “born organized” folks. I envy that ability to just do it.

Seems like I have to trick myself into being organized Kudos to you for having such discipline and I strive to have a portion of that someday!

By: bleeding espresso

bleeding espresso — Sat, 03 May 2008 18:05:04 +0000

@ Anne, glad you enjoyed!

@ Brooke, I’m big on switching off on things as well; really helps my mind to switch gears. Thanks for the tip!

And Deb, sorry for the double comment above…my perfectionist tendencies got the best of me

By: Brooke

Brooke — Sat, 03 May 2008 17:57:34 +0000

I find it helps to consciously schedule a mixture of different type of work with the same deadline. I’m a freelance editor, and there’s a big difference between doing development on a novel, a line edit on nonfiction, and references formatting on academic work. Although it’s all editing work, one type can feel like a break from another, so I can just switch around until everything gets done.

By: bleeding espresso

bleeding espresso — Sat, 03 May 2008 17:14:07 +0000

Sorry, last line in the first paragraph of the previous comment should have a “be” between to and done, and also forgot to write to you Devon, to each his/her own