This blog’s been quiet these past few weeks as I’ve been giving most of my time and energy to writing for clients, as well as doing some offline projects.
After voluntarily departing cubicle land in 2007, my life/career as a freelancer, like most anything else worth doing, has had its share of ups and downs.
The good times are when deals are won and my creative side can get to work.
The bad times, if I can call them that, are where sometimes client expectations aren’t properly understood.
Or where relentless marketing doesn’t show much in the way of results. (Although I’m learning a lot about how important ‘positioning and expectation’ is in a crowded marketplace. It’s all feedback.)
Looking at my ‘Do-To’ list, I see that there are a bunch of information products I’ve mentioned in this blog still on the proverbial digital drawing board. That means it’s time to allocate some “product creation days” over the next few weeks and get these info puppies out into the marketplace.
Because while desire’s arrows may aim at “do what you love”, wouldn’t it be nice to be on the right train and enjoying the view? You just never know when you might fall in the drink!
Tickets, please!
- Mark McClure
Tags Life Procrastination
3 Comments
Mark I know just what you mean about dedicating the time. It’s real tough for me. I’ve churned a few projects out to completion, but there are many which are part-completed or still on the drawing board. I also find it easier to write another blog post rather than get on with the tougher work – so it’s fair to say I procrastinate too.
Recently I’ve become more organized and stricter with myself, and it is paying off. It takes discipline! It’s tough going, but I am getting the balance more right than wrong.
I hope you can find that magic formula – just like I seek!
[Simon,
I suspect that "magic formula" you speak of is related to the fact that (if things go right) we, in the developed world, might live on average for about 660,000 hours - of which 30% or so is spent sleeping, another x % spent taking a shower, watching TV etc... You get my drift, partner?
Funny thing is - I did a telephone interview with author and coach, Al Secunda, last year all about dealing with procrastination and getting stuff started. So, while it's not a magic bullet, I've experimented with using that approach and had some success. Maybe, I need to write yet another personal development book and include "McClure's law of Motivation" etc? haha! That reminds me - the "best of mmt 2008" is one of those pending projects I mentioned.
You can find that interview at http://www.markmccluretoday.com/fifteen-and-forgiveness.html and see why I wrote "getting stuff started" rather than "getting stuff done". Yes, David Allen's material is great too but I particularly like how Al's tackled the subject.
Mark]
Thanks for the link Mark. I hope everyone else finds it useful too!
Mark, your post is spot on! It’s so tough for us to do our own homework, isn’t it?
If you figure out which train we’re supposed to be on, please let me know. I’m ready to buy a ticket.
[Hi Beth,
Yikes! This post's emerged into the sunlight again! Get back in the crypt of denial, ya hear!
I know this much - when I go running I don't have a care in the world 'cept getting lapped by pretty young things half my age; or some octogenarian sees me do 10 chins and replied with 15!! There are a bunch of fit and tough oldies in this 'ere park.
Mark]