Today was busy. Besides my usual writing, I laid out an article and graphics for a magazine and then wrote up a business spotlight for another magazine. I’m not doing it for the bylines or freelance fees (though I appreciate both). I’m doing it for the deadlines.
Working from home it’s too easy to let life crowd in and steal my writing time. I need to start working at 8 a.m. Yesterday I had a phone conversation that lasted until 8:46 before I noticed the time. I said I was late for work and excused myself.
I can crowd a lot of activity in an hour, and it’s one of my biggest flaws. To stay disciplined, and focused, I need to treat my writing with a corporate mindset. I have a schedule, a lunch hour and a break. If there are dishes in my sink, they stay there until after 5.
I hope doing some freelance work on the side will help me stay in that deadlines mindset. All week I had the magazine layout worrying at me. I had to download and learn a new software program. I haven’t laid out anything but a few books since I stopped publishing the Panhandle Focus. I was nervous.
And it worked wonders. All week I’ve worked my schedule. I had to make a plan to fit my deadlines. I stayed on track, except for the 46 minutes when I was distracted on the phone. Don’t tell my boss!
