The ugly side of beauty
A few nights ago, I was messaging with an editor on getting a piece professionally done early next year, and it gave me a little bit of anxiety. The conversation went really well. She was really nice and really professional. However, the thought of putting more work out into the world had me spiraling had me spiraling on my work being for public consumption. Then the ticking time bomb of the end of the year coming up and all of the projects that I am already working on finishing their current draft state hit me so not only am I trying to finish new projects but now I have given myself a new deadline of getting developmental edits done before mid January. Instead of continuing to think about it, I decided to make myself a little weekly tracker of all the things I need to get done with breakdowns what the actual projects are needing. I’m almost never happy with planners. I buy to help me stay on schedule, and this helped me visualize everything while also giving me the freedom of how to prioritize my lists.
How are you hitting your goals before the end of the year? What is keeping you on task?
#goaltracker #planningsession #writersoflemon8 #authorsoflemon8
Many creators and professionals face the challenge of managing multiple deadlines, especially as the end of the year approaches. It’s common to feel overwhelmed by the pressure of finalizing current projects while preparing new ones, which can lead to increased anxiety and a sense of spiraling out of control. A practical approach to combat this is using a detailed weekly goal tracker. This tool not only helps visualize all ongoing projects but also breaks down each task into manageable steps. For instance, tracking developmental edits with clear deadlines by mid-January ensures steady progression without last-minute stress. This method gives you freedom to prioritize, adjust, and focus on urgent or important tasks as needed. While many planners exist, sometimes they don’t fit the unique workflow of a creative person. Designing a custom tracker tailored to your projects can improve satisfaction and effectiveness. Incorporating hashtags like #goaltracker, #planningsession, and communities such as #writersoflemon8 fosters motivation and connection with others pursuing similar goals. Additionally, reflecting on what keeps you on task is valuable. It might be accountability partners, setting small rewards, or simply structuring your day into focused segments. The key is creating a system that balances structure with flexibility, reducing anxiety about public-facing work while boosting confidence in your progress. By taking control through visualization and prioritization, you turn the ticking time bomb of looming deadlines into achievable milestones. This mindset not only enhances productivity but supports mental well-being, empowering creators to share their work with confidence.