Deadlines, To-do Lists and Other Motivators

Deadlines, To-do Lists and Other Motivators
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 by Susan Lyttek

I typed the title for this at 8:30 this morning. It is now after 6. Dinner is almost ready, so my bet is it will be about 9 when I finally post this. Let it be said, let it be known that I need deadlines, to-do lists and any other motivators I come across. I need them, because on my own I tend to procrastinate. On my own, I tend towards laziness. On my own, I will do only the easy and necessary things and leave all the worthwhile undone.

Thus, I love deadlines.

I have found externally imposed deadlines work best on me. Some personal deadlines, like this blog post for instance, have gotten easier to obey over time, but I still thumb my nose at it sometimes. After all, it doesn’t “matter”. But an external deadline, even one given for all instead of for me personally, is likely to get me writing. The external deadlines work for other things, too. Knowing the OCC shoeboxes only accept donations until a certain date will get me shopping and assembling. Knowing that if I don’t send my Christmas presents by a certain time that they won’t reach their destination until after Christmas will encourage me to get to the post office—even if I have to wait in a long line.

To-do lists help me on two levels.

The first type of to-do list I compile daily. This is what must get accomplished today and when. This is especially helpful when tutoring because my hours, depending on the day, can be anything as early as 9 AM and as late as 8 PM. I also try to include any daily tasks that need doing: laundry, shopping, dishes, etc. They are horrid and deserve the personal recognition of the check mark that says: finished! Lastly, I put in small, bite sized pieces from my other to-do list.

That other to-do list is about major projects. Here I have books in progress, ideas I want to flesh out, occasionally crafts (like the cross stitch I just bought) or anything that takes a long time. Long time here can be relative. Sometimes, I will sign up for a course that takes a month. Or it can be adding a bit to a book that I’ve been working on for years. Part of this major list is any book that has at least ten pages written and/or research and/or character sketches. If it has enough time invested, it makes this list.

For many, money is a motivator. It isn’t for me, much to the chagrin of my dear hubby who says I undervalue myself. Do I like to get paid for my work? Sure. Do I like to get paid appropriately for my work? Sure. But I write what I want to read. I would write it even (shh, don’t tell anyone) I was paid absolutely nothing. That the stories are shared and the tales are told urges me to finish more than the possibility of a royalty check. It might explain some of why I know all the principles of marketing and technically how to do it, but I’m horrid at it. I don’t love the result enough.

Praise, though, does motivate me. One comment from someone who likes a story or a poem or whatever will keep me writing for days. Unfortunately, the converse is true. One insult or harsh criticism will shut me down for as long or longer. One well-meaning famous author once imparted wisdom that shut my books down for years. I invest way too much of my value as a writer in the opinion of others.

I am working on that with God’s help. I keep reminding myself, that he is, in truth, my employer and the only critic of lasting impact.

All I achieve of worth in this world is thanks to Him, after all. And that should be my true motivator!

(Oh… Look at that. It’s 7:38 PM. With His help, the words just flowed.)

Share This Blog: