Willpower... It's Time to Make it Work For You!

Uncover a special tried-and-true way to ensure that you're making forward progress on your projects and goals... and in the shortest amount of time possible. 

Make Your Willpower Work For You!

By: Kel Amstutz

We have been chatting about chunking, about timers, about blocking out distractions to get stuff done. It's great and all... but, I need to be truthful here. I have saved the absolute best for last!

Today, I am going to show you how to make forward progress quickly- and the secret... well, it actually lies within...

 

OK.... let me explain. Every morning you wake up and have a certain amount of willpower. I'll be honest... today I woke up with very little. But, in doing some research something stood out to me. Chris Bailey, who is at A Year of Productivity, says that your maximum willpower moment is first thing in the morning. 

To get the most out of your "peak willpower" state, you need to begin your day with your toughest task. And... unfortunately, getting out of bed is not what we mean here!

To elaborate further, this might be a task that is pretty challenging, and that is okay. Because study after study has shown that when you first wake up, your brain is it's sharpest, regardless of your caffeine intake. 

It might even be a task that you are just plain avoiding, but this boost of willpower first thing will help you push through the task and onto the next level.  These good-for-you-but-dreaded tasks are sometimes referred to as "frogs." 

I came across a book that I highly recommend reading, as I felt it has played a huge role in my own productivity. It's called Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time, by Brian Tracy, who is a productivity expert in his own right.

But, with this being said, I should mention something else that you really need to know about these tasks and your brain...

Psychologists talk a lot about "positive feedback loops" and personal behavior. Basically, when you do something that makes you feel happy, more confident in yourself, it creates a positive sensation that you would like to experience again... and again.... So, you will work harder, longer hours, or just in a more focused way, all because you have that "positive rush." 

I mean, think about it, starting each day with a positive rush- that kind of feeling that says, "Yes, I'm a person who works on my goals and finishes things!" 

It would dramatically increase your productivity for the rest of the day. Plus, at the end of the week, you would look at how much you have tackled and it would show five of your biggest challenges or priorities and that would leave you feeling all kinds of good!

So, with one small shift- doing the toughest thing first things in the morning, when you are most capable of doing it- you can improve your output level, your mental state, and your likelihood of staying productive.

Give it a try! Rise and shine. Set a timer for 25 minutes- pick a "frog" from your to-do list. Work without stopping until that timer dings.

And... don't forget to share your results in the comments. 

• What did you pick to work on, and how did it feel to make that forward progress on that task?  

 

I'm looking forward to hearing your answers. After all, it really is amazing how little things- just some small changes in task organization or work order- can make a huge impact on your productivity and long-term success.

 

Happy Writing!

 

Want to check out my Writing BLOG - visit: www.kdbrinegar.com

HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL WORK-AT-HOME DAY

IF YOU DREAM ABOUT WORKING AT HOME, MAKE SURE YOU KNOW ABOUT ALL THE TOOLS AND TRICKS TO MAKE FOR A SUCCESSFUL WORK-AT-HOME DAY.

How To Have A Successful Work-At-Home Day

By: Kel Amstutz


Working at home. It’s the American dream. I mean there are literally so many benefits …

• You can earn a good living without the daily commute …
• You can work in your pajamas and bare feet if you want …
• When that movie comes out in the theater that you've been dying to see, you can go and possibly even avoid the crowds ... 
• You can turn your music up loud and dance like nobody's watching, if that’s what gets your creative juices flowing …
• You can be there when your kids get home from school … catch up with your friends over coffee in the middle of the day … and never get behind on the laundry again.

Working at home can be everything you have ever wanted it to be …

• Until you realize working at home means you have your kids under foot, household chores that are never “out of sight, out of mind,” friends and family who don’t quite “get it” that you actually have work to do. 
• Oh … and no boss or coworkers whose very presence helps to keep you on track.

But there is a little-known way you can do all of these things while still getting your work done.

The secret is discipline.

Fortunately, developing discipline isn’t as hard as you might think. 

Even better, you can trick yourself into being disciplined by developing a few helpful, positive habits.

Before we get to the habits, though, let’s talk about your work environment.

Set Up a Designated Workspace

With today’s technology, you can work from anywhere. 

• You can work out on your deck … 
• in the breakfast nook … 
• in front of the fireplace … 
• at the library … 
• or at the local coffee shop. 

 And, if you don’t need access to the Internet, you have even more options.
You’re not tied to your desk, and that’s a great thing. 

But you should still have a workspace. 

And I recommend you start out each day working from that space.

When you do, two things will happen. 

1. Sitting down to your workspace will become a trigger. 
2. It will quickly get you into the mindset of, “Now is the time to work.” It will also get your family used to the notion that you have work to do, and when you’re in your workspace, that’s what you’re doing.

This doesn’t mean you can’t spend time working in all those other wonderful spaces. It just means you’ll have a go-to space you can retreat to, if you need it … and your mindset will be primed for productivity when you get there.

Post Your Work Hours

Think about your average day. 

• What are the hours when you do your best work? 
• What are your other commitments during the day? 

Based on the answers, establish a daily work schedule, and then post your hours above your desk. If your schedule or commitments change week to week, you can update your posted hours weekly or even daily.
This is another trick that serves a dual purpose. Your family can see your working hours, and they’ll realize they should hold their interruptions until a better time. And, it serves as a reminder to you when you’re working and when you’re not working (which is just as important!).

Have a Do-Not-Disturb Signal

I have a blue piece of paper I put up outside of my office door when I really want to get into the writing zone and when interruptions would likely be extra-annoying.

If the blue "sign" is up, it signals my kids to either wait, or take questions to their dad instead of me. And it let's my hubby know to hold off on starting a new conversation with me.

Just make sure you’re not always in do-not-disturb mode, otherwise the signal loses its impact.

Okay, so you’ve got a go-to workspace ,and you’ve done what you can to cut down on interruptions … at least from your family.

The next step toward doing great work at home is to develop a few easy habits that will put you in a prime headspace for both creativity and productivity.

Easy Habit #1: Put the House in Order BEFORE you start your work-day

We all like to have a home that’s clean and inviting. When you work outside your home, you can put it in order and come home to a clean house. That’s less true when you work at home, because you’re actively living in your home all the time. Which means more opportunity to make little messes.

The second you’re working on a project and you hit a moment of resistance or uncertainty, all those little messes will become easy distractions. After all, you feel productive when you’re cleaning up, and you find it hard to focus when you know there are dishes on the counter …or in the sink …

This avoidance-by-cleaning phenomenon is something I’ve heard about from more writers than I can count. 

So, eliminate the temptation.

In the morning, I get up a little earlier than my day begins, before my family is up and moving just to spend 20 to 30 minutes cleaning up the house. I make sure the dishes are clean and/or put away, dust or sweep the floor or rotate the laundry … whatever you need to do to put your house in a state that won’t pull you away from your work for the day. You can do this in the evening, after dinner, and even enlist the whole family to tidy up together.

Then throughout the day, when you take a break to make yourself a snack or work out, take five minutes to tidy up when you’re done. Do this consistently and you won’t be able to turn to cleaning when you want to avoid work, because things will already be neat and tidy.

 Easy Habit #2: Get Dressed for Work … Most Days

Yes, one of the fun things about working from home is being able to work in your pajamas.  But as a writer, you want to present yourself as a professional. And that starts with looking like a professional in your own eyes.

So, most days, get dressed for work. You don’t have to be fancy, just presentable. Imagine you have a Zoom call scheduled, and make sure you look ready for that, and you’ll be good to go.

If you really feel like you’re missing out, not working in your pjs, make your casual Friday into a pajama day and enjoy the best of both worlds.

 

Easy Habit #3: Take Breaks

When you work full-time for someone else, you get at least two 10-minute breaks and a half-hour for lunch. Treat yourself at least that well when you work at home.

It’s even better if you base your breaks on your ideal focus time — that’s how long you can really focus before you start to get antsy or your eyes start to glaze over. (For me, it’s 40 minutes.) Work for that amount of time and then take a quick five-minute break to do something physical, creative, or fun.

You could do a quick Tabata workout. You could sit and breathe deeply for five minutes. You could dance or read a few pages of your book, or catch up on Facebook. Whatever. Just do something that refreshes you — and keep it to just five minutes.

Then work for another block of time. And repeat.

Easy Habit #4: Develop a Morning Routine That Primes You for Work

It’s tempting — so tempting — when you work from home to grab a mug of coffee as soon as you wake up and head straight to your desk. After all, you have things to do, so you might as well get started.

I’ve found my day goes much better in terms of productivity and creativity if I take some time with my family and to myself in the morning. I chat with my girls as I help them get ready for school and then I spend some time cleaning up before I get into my workday. When I do this, I’m really awake and at my best when I start writing.

 

Easy Habit #5: Have a Close-of-Day Routine

Just like you want to prime yourself for work time, you also want to give yourself clear signals that work is done for the day and you can relax and have a little fun without work worries cluttering your mind.

A close-of-day routine can be simple. 

• Look through your email one last time. 
• Close out the programs on your computer (this is especially important if you use your computer for leisure activities, too). 
• Tidy up your desk. 
• And finish up by making your to-do list for the next day.

One of the biggest frustrations writers have, once they have goals set, is that they’re always busy with work.

The reason you want to be a freelancer, in part, is because it gives you more time to focus on the things you love. 

It’s important not to lose sight of that. 

Be sure to schedule time for fun things during each day.

Make time to do things with friends and family. 

And, when you take days off — whether that’s on the weekend or during the week — make sure you indulge in whatever relaxes or excites you.

Follow these five habits and you’ll find it really is possible to work from home without giving up your work-life balance.

MEET YOUR WRITING GOALS BY KEEPING PROMISES TO YOURSELF

KEEPING THE PROMISES YOU MAKE TO YOURSELF IS A POWERFUL TOOL TO HELP YOU REACH YOUR WRITING GOALS AND BOOST YOUR SELF-WORTH. 

Meet Your Writing Goals by Keeping Promises to Yourself

By: Kel Amstutz

Promises.

They are easy to make... but harder to keep. Especially when they are to yourself.

I mean... it doesn't sound that hard... right?  You make a promise to yourself... and you keep it. Is there really anything more to it than that?

Well... for anyone who has made a promise or promises to themselves and NOT kept them....then you know what kind of struggle you can face.  And more often than not, the things that really trip you up and halt your overall success are not even that obvious.

But, keeping the promises you make to yourself is a really POWERFUL tool that helps you reach your writing goals and boosts your self-worth.

As we continue to go at light speed towards the second half of our year, right now is the perfect time to learn the SECRET RECIPE to help you keep the most important promises of all - the ones to yourself.

When you are armed with this knowledge, you can review your goals and use your promises to stay on task and on track with what you want in your writer's life.

Why are the promises you make to yourself so important?

When life's demands come along, the promises you have made to yourself are often the first ones to fall by the wayside.  You make one excuse... then another... or even worse, you just pretend they aren't even important.

But, this shouldn't be the case at all. A promise to yourself is just as important as any of the others that you make. 

Making and keeping promises is a test of your integrity.

Integrity is doing the right thing in all circumstances, even when no one is watching. In that light, promises to yourself are the ultimate test of your integrity.  They're a measure of the value that you place on your word and your commitments.

The easiest and best way to understand WHY your promises are essential is to think about how you feel when someone breaks a promise they made to you.

You feel disappointed... hurt... betrayed, right. You probably had to process a painful message- that you weren't important enough to keep a promise to.

You send that same powerful and painful message every time you don't keep a commitment to yourself.

By not keeping a promise to yourself, you:

Go against your values of being honest and acting with integrity. Compromise your trust in yourself to keep your word and follow through. Diminish your self-worth and importance.

I know.. it's a lot, right.

You Can Reverse The Negative Toll of Broken Promises

But, you can reverse the negative toll of unkempt promises when you keep the commitments that you make to yourself.

Knowing that you can rely on yourself again to keep these promises to yourself feels great. And, when you start keeping these promises, that is when you will start to see big changes in your progress toward your overall goals.

You will begin to create a self-perpetuating cycle of success.  Keeping your promises to yourself leads to accomplishments, which helps to encourage you to keep more of your promises to yourself. The possibilities are endless in this cycle.

Instead of going against your values and integrity, you are creating a perfect alignment between your words, intentions, and actions. This lets you work with strength and persistence.

You will also find it easier to identify potential problems and weaknesses within yourself and your situations. In turn, it becomes easier to overcome things like resistance and procrastination.

Developing integrity toward yourself also spreads to the world around you. As you trust yourself more, others will begin to trust in you, and you will create positive conditions that support you in achieving your goals.

Making your own promises a priority helps you decide what is important. Your productivity increases, because it is easier to eliminate distractions and improve your focus.

Instead of distrusting yourself, you build up your faith and confidence.  You become a happier person, as you know that you have the power and the ability to make your life better.

Why Do You Break Your Promises?

There is a very surprising reason why we don't keep our own promises... besides not valuing ourselves.

You may think that telling others about your commitment will benefit you in helping you keep your promises to yourself. It's really counter-intuitive though, but turns out that this is often where the problem lies.

By telling others about your intention to do something... it makes you feel as good as when you actually handle the intention... which reduces your motivation to take action and may be why you are not getting things done...and breaking promises to yourself.

In researching this theory, I came acrossed the Self-Completion Theory (Robert Wicklund and Richard Gollwitzer, 1982) and they explain this peculiarity of human behavior in depth. When people have goals relating to their identities and how they perceive themselves, they take part in activities to prove that they are what and who they believe they are. For example, a good parent, an artist, or a writer...

Research shows that our sense of identity completeness - proving who we say we are - increases when we have an audience. Just stating that you intention helps fulfill this sense of identity. And often, that's enough to leave you feeling satisfied... at least temporarily.

So you goals fall to the wayside and you stop before you actually start.

How Do You Guarantee You'll Become a Promise Keeper? 

Now we go back to the Secret Sauce. If you read the blog often... you know that I always find the secret sauce in things! 

The secret sauce recipe for you to succeed requires three (3) things:

1. Realize promises to yourself are IMPORTANT and WORTHY.
2. Make your promises for the RIGHT REASONS.
3. Have a plan when you make your promise and be PURPOSEFUL in your accountability.

When you don't make your promises for the right reasons you become the victim of self-completion's pitfalls.  Make promises to yourself because you find them valuable and you can see how following through will transform your life and make it better.  Don't make promises just because you feel like you should. 

Here's an Example:

Let's say you want to write every day.  Ask yourself what your reasons are for wanting to do this. Is it because this is what other writers do?  Does that mean you should think it's the right thing to do?  Or, do you just genuinely want to use this method to improve your writing and your skills?  If your answer is the second one, you are much more likely to keep your commitments.

Now, I want you to get very specific about how you want this commitment to help you. What aspect of your writing do you want to improve on... Headlines? Storytelling? Grammar?  This step helps you refine your focus.

Once you understand your promise's value and what you specifically hope to gain from it, you can start to develop an action plan and decide how and when you will go about it.

Make sure that you are clear on what the payoff is and how it contributes to your overall goals.


Next I want you to put this RECIPE INTO ACTION. 

Use the steps below as a ROADMAP to help you move forward:

• Make your promises for the RIGHT REASONS.
• Write each promise down. If you don't, it's easy to convince yourself you never really made the promise in the first place. Writing it down seals your commitment.
• Use your promise to take small, but meaningful steps.
• Plan how you will fulfill this promise. Schedule time to work on it, make sure you have the resources you need, set reminders, and know what you you'll do in each session.
• Make it clear and measurable. Know what you're committing to and how it will help you reach your goals and change your life.
• Revisit your promise regularly. You can use a tracking sheet to chart your progress or write about it regularly in your journal. When you do, you can anticipate and work out problems quickly, so you stay on track. 

Accountability. 

After learning about how self-completion sabotages your promise keeping, it's normal to think the best way to keep your promise is to avoid telling anyone about it.

If you are wondering whether you should tell others, the answer is still YES. Choose people that you can trust. Share your commitment and the details of your plans with them, and then ask them to check your progress regularly and keep you accountable for what you've promised.

Enjoy and repeat.  Once you've fulfilled your promise, bask in the satisfaction of having kept it, and repeat these same steps. Before long, you will find our that you are knocking out your goals, changing your life, and creating a cycle of success.

It is amazingly rewarding to change your behavior in ways that also improve your life. It feels even better to know that you can rely on yourself to be your own promise keeper.



There's just a little over half a year left to get going and complete the goals that you set for 2020. But it's not too late. Decide to start with small, but meaningful actions that you can take that will help you begin to reach your goals. Promise yourself (in a meaningful way) that you will stick with them.  When you do, the life and career you have dreamed of and planned for will become a reality.




What strategies do you use to help you keep your promises? 

How do these strategies help you?

Share them in the comments section below.  I would love to hear from you!

TIME FOR RECESS: SUPERCHARGE YOUR WRITING CAREER BY TAKING TIME TO PLAY

PLAY IS NOT JUST FOR KIDS.  WE ALL NEED IT.  TAKING THE TIME TO PLAY REFRESHES CREATIVITY, REPLENISHES ENERGY, AND CAN GIVE A BIG BOOST FOR YOUR WRITING CAREER. 

Time for Recess: Supercharge Your Writing Career by Taking Time by Play 

By: Kel Amstutz
Monday, May 18, 2020

Ok... so... Let's begin with a little quiz...

Do you know who wrote this?

"Oh, it was heaven! Nothing like it. Nothing like that rushing through the water at what seemed to you a speed of about 200 miles an hour; all the way in from the far distant raft, until you arrived, gently slowing down, on the beach, and foundered among the soft flowing waves."

Any guesses? 

Any suggestions?

C'mon. This is for fun, after all...

Well... in 1922, a pioneer of surfing wrote this about the FUN and EXHILARATION of learning to surf.  Or ride the waves as the surfers say! 

I know you are probably wondering how in the world this is relevant... right?  Well... the plot thickens.... This surfer was a pioneer of writing, too... becoming the BEST-SELLING novelist and playwright.... whose very books and characters are still loved today. 

This writer also had a love for swimming, roller skating and dancing.

I will tell you exactly who this person is and HOW famous they are shortly. But, what is important now is this:  This person was a prolific writer in part because... they knew how to PLAY. 

How Does Taking Time to Play Help You As a Writer?

I know you are asking yourself this very question.  You see, play has so many benefits for writers. For all, really.  It's unfortunate that we tend to forget how important play really is, as we settle into the dreadful adulthood.  As you continue reading, you will discover how each benefit of play supercharges your writer's life... with so many positive effects.  

Creativity and Your "Triple F Factor"

 

I am a person who is really big on Creativity. I mean, creativity is VITAL for writers. It's like the BLOOD running through your veins. 

Anxiously waiting and hoping creativity will just show up  - when and if it feels like it  - is NOT an option for you... as a Writer.  You need it flowing constantly... ON DEMAND. 

When you realize the importance of play and you finally action on it, you can boost THREE (3) Vital Elements that you need as a writer...

• Creativity
• Imagination
• Problem-Solving Skills

I like to call this turbocharging your mind with the "Triple F Factor": Fuel your creativity, Free your imagination and Fix your problems. 

So, here is what happens to your writer's brain when you play... you have fun... you relax...

Free your Imagination

 

When you play, your mind feels free and safe.  Your inner critics, your analytical mind, your routine and your logic all take a much needed break. 

Your imagination wakes up, stretches and realizes that it has permission to fun wild and freely.  It's not at all worried about doing something wrong, because there is no one to censor your thoughts or ideas. 

Now, your mind finally has the opportunity to explore the unknown, imagine endless possibilities without any inhibitions and try new things.  And it's perfectly safe, because it's okay to fail. 

Fuel your Creativity

As your mind explores all of these new and exciting ideas, your creativity no longer hides behind a wall of fear and uncertainty. Guess what happens? Fresh ideas begin to tumble out. 

Fix your Problems

The nerve pathways in your brain start to relax and you are able to gather insights and make connections that your analytical brain would never even begin to think of.  Creative insights are easier to spot, and you can use them to solve complex problems or find innovative solutions in order to make your ideas work. 

The effect of play on your mind is like this...

 

Think of a route that you drive daily... maybe it's going to work or taking the kids to school.  Your focus is on getting to your destination in the quickest, easiest way.  You know the route so well, it's as if you are on autopilot.  You're practically asleep, charging down the course with blinkers on, and you don't even slow down or take note of what is what along the way. 


A play break let's your busy mind slow down and change gears. 

Now, instead of driving a pre-determined route, you find yourself in a beautiful forest where several paths meet.  You can wander down any of the paths before you and discover what is there. Because these paths are all new, your senses are heightened... you're much more observant of your immediate surroundings, taking them in and making sense of what is around you. You can go down one path... then take a new path and discover even more, completely different surroundings. 

 This is imagination... it allows you to dream up new possibilities. From there you use your creativity and problem-solving skills to find new paths, new solutions, new methods.  

Your success at work doesn't depend on the amount of time you work, but rather the quality of your work. 

 I know how tempting it is to think that the best way to cope with an ever-increasing work load is to work longer and harder.  But, without recreational time, it's more likely that your work will suffer.  You will deplete your creativity, become overwhelmed and exhausted, and eventually you will burn out. 

Play and recreation help you produce better quality work and they give you a greater satisfaction and enjoyment of your job. 

When your next project hits an obstacle, rather than working harder and becoming overwhelmed... or worse... stressed out... take a recess and have some light-hearted fun. You will replenish yourself and actually be able to tackle those problems with greater innovation and creativity. 

Mind, Body and Emotions All Feel Better

 

Play helps you reap health benefits in all areas. You will feel mentally, emotionally and physically better for having spent time having fun. 

One of the scary parts of being a freelance writer... or a Solopreneur is thinking about what happens if you get sick. When you are not working... work stops and so does your income. 

Working long and hard without a break depletes your health on all fronts. Your perseverance wanes, joy fades, and everything becomes a struggle. 

Play helps your health in these three (3) areas:

1. Mentally : Play improves your brain function by helping you stay sharp and keep your memory and thinking skills fine-tuned. Play will supercharge your learning, fuel fun and joy and when you try new things, these two (2) ingredients become catalysts to help you absorb knowledge naturally and easily.  Play relaxes and refreshes your mind. 
2. Emotionally: Play nurtures positive emotions as it relieves stress.  Play helps to ward off depression and anxiety- especially when you make time for fun with family and friends. 
3. Physically:  Play releases endorphins, or your body's feel-good hormones.  Endorphins help you relax and promote a sense of well-being and vitality.  Play increases your energy, boosts your immune system, and prevents burnout.

 

Play Enhances Human Connections

By sharing fun and playing with others it does more than just help you connect with them. It fosters understanding, empathy, and compassion. 

These are POWERFUL TOOLS for writers. As a copywriter, you need to master the understanding of your prospect, so that you can get "inside their shoes," empathize with your prospect, and experience life and problems as they do. 

When you do this, you write copy that speaks directly to your prospect, makes them feel like you understand them. and engages with them both mentally and emotionally.  

Having a playful nature around others also helps you loosen up when put in stressful situations.  So, the next time you are dreading that networking event, remember that a playful attitude will actually help you break the ice with strangers, make some new friends, and build new business relationships. 

What Defines Play for Adults?

Play is an important aspect of our lives, in both adolescents and adulthood.  Play is something that we do for our own sake. We do it voluntarily for the pleasure of it and we get a sense of engagement back from playing. Play itself is so much more important than the outcomes we receive.  
 
It boils down to  the simple fact that the activity you are engaging in doesn't have to have a point, beyond having fun and enjoying yourself. You need to focus on the experience and not on the goal. 

Play is all around us, all the time and comes in so many forms. The attitude you take with you can also determine how enjoyable and recreational the activity you participate in will be. You may be working, but you can choose to have a playful attitude. As you pay through your day, your playfulness will become contagious.  

Simple put... Play is finding amusement, joy, and wonder in everyday life. 

Words to live by, right!

So, are you ready to get serious about incorporating play into your schedule? 

If you have been neglecting this necessary activity in your daily life, these eight (8) tips will get your PLAYING again...

1. Change the way you think about play.  - It's not careless and frivolous. It has so many positive benefits for not only your career but your daily life that it is essential to your well-being as a Person and a Writer.
2. Set a goal to play more.  - Goals aren't ONLY for the serious things in our lives. The benefits of play are so significant, it is just as important to set a goal to play more if you've been neglecting it in your life.
3. Decide what FUN means to you. - Often, we get so caught up in adulting with all its commitments... and responsibilities that we forget what fun even is. If this is you, take some time and think about what you did as a kid that really excited you or gave you a good laugh.  Use these clues to find out how to recreate those activities today.  Play is a unique to you as your own personality, so there is not a "right answer" here. What is fun and recreational for me may be something that you absolutely hate. Because of this, the list of play activities is truly endless.
4. Put it in your Schedule. - When you were at school, remember when breaks, lunch and recess were scheduled into your day. Remember when you could not wait for the bell to ring so you could race to the playground?  Important activities like those meetings, deadlines and goals are put right into your schedule... so it's just as important to schedule time for play too. You can even use it as an incentive. Once you've completed a difficult task, you have the reward of looking forward to something fun just ahead.  It will help you curb your procrastination. Plus, you will be ready to take on the next task with revived creativity and energy. That's a huge plus! So, set aside some time daily, weekly and monthly for play.  Even short breaks give you great benefits. Longer breaks, like vacations (cause YES this is PLAY after all!), should have at least one (1) or two (2) weeks that are dedicated JUST to fun, playful activities.
5. Have a play date with someone special. -I mean when we were kids, finding out our parents had organized a play date with our bestie was so exciting. There is absolutely no reason why you can't do the same thing now.. and share the magic of play with someone else. 
6. Spend time with a playful person. -Refuel your soul by being with a person with a playful attitude, or having a playful activity makes play even more enjoyable. It rubs off on you in most cases, too. It helps you relax, improves your mood and makes your much more positive. 
7. Play with kids. -I mean if we could bottle all that playfulness.... right?  And energy.  Coloring, racing case, building with legos... even building forts with blankets - kids are the masters of play. They will remind you how to have fun, give you a different perspective on the world and show you how to be present in these playful moments. 
8. Turn off your devices and step away from the screen. -Having a short break to play a game of solitaire or build your Fort Night world is find... but screen time should NOT make up the bulk of your play activities.  As a writer, you spend a lot of time working on a device. To gain the real benefits of play and to rejuvenate yourself, it is better to enjoy activities where screens and tech are not involved.  

Play is not for kids and pet alone- we all need it, regardless of our age. It's not a frivolous activity you indulge in occasionally either... Taking the time to replenish yourself through play is one of the best ways to boost your career. 

It's truly an investment that you make in yourself and your writing business. Together, the benefits offer a substantial return on the investment. 

The Mystery Revealed...

So... who is our surfer and novelist who loved to play? 

You didn't forget did you?

Known as the "Queen of Mystery," she wrote mystery and romance novels and plays. 

She is one of the most famous and best-selling novelists of all time, and her works have sold over four billion copies. They have also been translated into more languages than any other individual writer. 

Yes... author envy here.


Dame Agatha Christie.  She was one of the first Britons to learn to surf and to do so standing up, which was one remarkable feat for Europeans at that time.  And of course, she was one of the earliest surfing correspondents, also. 

Your Turn...

Now, I want you to take a moment... step away from your computer and GO OUT THERE AND PLAY!!!! 

Come back and let me know what you did and how it helped you. 


I am going to ride our Four-Wheeler and let the wind rip through my face and hair. (It's a bit cold in Ohio today though... but if nothing else... it will be refreshing!)

6 (ALMOST) FOOLPROOF STRATEGIES FOR MEETING DEADLINES

MEETING DEADLINES IS A KEY PART OF RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS.  IF YOU STRUGGLE WITH COMPLETING PROJECTS ON TIME, THESE SIX (6) STRATEGIES ARE SURE TO HELP YOU ON YOUR WAY!

6 (almost) Foolproof Strategies for Meeting Deadlines
By: Kel Amstutz
Monday, May 11, 2020



Sometimes I have to remind myself of a quote from a LEGEND of Productivity and Personal Leadership when I have a project with a deadline.  Napoleon Hill said, 

"A goal is a dream with a deadline."

  
I think of this quote anytime anyone says anything about a deadline... and my inner procrastinator's instinct starts to kick in to rebel or negotiate a later deadline... even before I begin on the said project.  

But... due in part to the fact that I watch entirely too much T.V. the filter between brain and mouth reminds me about deadlines attributed to Robert Herjavec, from ABC's Shark Tank.  He said, 

"A goal without a deadline is just a dream."

Two quotes... about dreams and deadlines... and the kind of do work together...

These words seem to shift me productivity into GO-MODE and remind me that while deadlines can be stressful (I mean, that does go without saying... right?), I can achieve a lot more with deadlines than without them. 

There is a reason why deadlines are IMPORTANT:

• Deadlines help our minds focus. Without them, it would be entirely too easy to lose track of time, give in to distractions and wander down the myriad of rabbit holds offered by the endless internet before us. 

Over the years, I have found six awesome strategies that have helped me keep on task and meet my deadlines...
  

STEP 1:  Set REALISTIC Deadlines

I know what you are thinking... really?  It seems too obvious. But, you would be surprised at how often people will set a deadline without thinking through how long it will really take for them to complete the project... and don't get me started on reviewing things that are already on the table to get done. 



It is well-documented that we (both individuals and groups) predictably underestimate the time necessary to complete projects when we are setting our deadlines. 

So... what do we do about this?

To combat this tendency, follow these steps:

1.  Consider past projects that are of a similar nature and scope.  How long did they take you?  The answer to this question will give you a general idea of what you can expect.
2. Break down the project into the logical steps that you will go through and assign a time to each of those steps. You will most likely come up with a time frame that is similar to what you did in step 1, but now you will have some milestones to keep you on track. 
3. Consider what you will need from others. Have you worked with these people before? How quickly do they usually deliver? Make sure that you are factoring in these small details into your timeline.
4. And finally, take the numbers you come up with and multiply them by at least two (2).  Do this for one of two reasons. First, unexpected things WILL come up. And second, it is very likely that your memory of past projects is not perfect, so this extra time will insulate you.

Going through these four steps will help you obtain a pretty accurate idea of how long a project should take you... but you still HAVE TO STAY ON TRACK!  

This brings me to my second strategy... 

STEP 2: Have a Written Plan to Meet your Deadline

If you start to think of coming to the end of a project like a journey... your very first step should be to pick your destination. 

This is the DEADLINE.

The next step is to plan you route. 

By designing your written plan, you get your brain thinking about the series of tasks that you need to take to complete the project and to ultimately meet your deadline.  Now, your brain secretly DOES NOT like to leave anything unfinished, so this step really gets your brain set on completing those tasks, even before you start to carry them out. 

In other words, writing out your project plan prepares your mind for the tasks required to complete it and meet the deadline.

Additionally, writing down your plan (and deadline) forces YOU to look at the specifics and to make concrete decisions on each of the steps necessary and know when you can tackle each of them. 

This strategy of having a written plan for completing a project is the  
SECRET SAUCE of meeting deadlines. 

I have taken a few coaching courses along my own journey and committing to the plans (or goals) in your writing is so very important.... because it:

• Motivates you.
• Forces YOU to filter other opportunities and obligations.
• Provides clarity.
• Forces you to see - and celebrate - progress.
• Helps you focus on the goal (rather than the push back). 

But, don't mistake PLANNING for DOING.  You need to QUICKLY move from the planning stages into actually working on your project(s).

This strategy is largely about PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY.  Having a set plan with internal deadlines WILL help you to AVOID the dreaded procrastination. 

That being said, it will also help you be accountable to the outside forces when you are working on a deadline.  Many times this is built-in, because the deadline is set by an editor, copy chief, or anyone who is higher up on the pay scale. But, being held accountable by someone else definitely keeps us on a deadlines... right?

So, moving on to the next strategy...

STEP 3: Share with Your Team

Accountability works way better when others are involved. I mean, most of the people that I know... if they are being honest... are NOT the best at holding themselves to a task...

But, most people I know do not like to look like they are scatterbrained... or a slacker... in front of people that they care about. 

When possible, tell other people about your deadline. And not just the BIG ONE at the end, but the significant milestones you hit along the way. 


Within your personal life, you could tell your partner/spouse, roommate or a close friend. Ask them to check in with you periodically to see how your project is going. Your desire to be able to answer them in a way that makes you look good will help keep you motivated and on task. 

Professionally, share those milestones that you have set with your client. And then, send them a weekly email to update them on your progress. Believe me, this one goes a long way... and after you have sent one "nothing to report" message, you will get back on task real quick!

What about Mastermind or Accountability groups?  I personally love this format, letting other like-minded people come together to lift one another up.  They are so great for holding your accountable. 

A really big aspect of accountability is building rewards and detriments...

If you hit a milestone, have a specific celebration in mind. It could be small- like an afternoon movie... or, when you complete a major project, it might be bigger.  A few of my bigger rewards have been buying an expensive item... or going out to dinner at a fancy restaurant. 

A quick example of a personal accountability stick - or a detriment- that I have set for not achieving a goal is donating a set amount of money to a local charity.  If you want to make this effective, donate to a political candidate... you will NEVER stop getting mail.  

However, the simple fact remains... the most IMPORTANT accountability and reward tool for meeting deadlines is...

Y O U .

If you don't set deadlines.... or take deadlines seriously... (and this is across the board... deadlines set by YOU... set by an editor... copy chief... or supervisor), then NO AMOUNT of internal or external accountability - or planning- will matter. 

To make that happen, you have to...

STEP 4: Do The Work.

Obviously... right.  But, as world-class procrastinators will attest, this is sometimes the hardest part. 

You can draw out a deadline and set an ideal deadline... you can design a perfectly written plan to meet that deadline... you can get the right resources and support... but, if you don't start the work, you are NOT going to meet the deadline.

Don't wait for tomorrow or next week.... Don't wait for later today... Nope... 

START NOW

Even though you are not going to finish today, you just need to START.

By "today," I mean whatever day you're given the project. You've set the deadline, designed your plan to achieve it, and even set up your accountability network...

So, DIG IN!  Start doing the actual project. Aim to complete at least your first small task. Your brain is tuned in to your project and its deadline.... so now is the perfect time.  

But... doing the WORK also means AVOIDING distractions during the time you have set aside to work on this project. 

I get it. Distractions happen.  The competition for your time and attention is fierce and it comes from MANY different sources.  You have to take a hard stance against them and maintain complete focus on the task at hand. 

So, close your browser... this will allow you to avoid internet surfing.... Close the office door so you have peace and quiet.  Set your phone to "Do Not Disturb," so you aren't tempted to answer texts or check in on your notifications. 

It's really that simple - but, putting it all into action might not be.  Focus can take practice, and the best time to start developing your ability to focus is RIGHT NOW.

Now, you might be wondering what else I could say.  These four strategies might be enough to meet your deadline... and sure, they might be.... BUT, I have found two additional strategies that are also very helpful...

STEP 5: Don't Add Extra Work to the Deadline

OK.... Projects and Requirements change... I totally get that. 

However, avoid adding to your work when you already have an assigned and defined project, especially if a negotiated deadline has already been established and set.  If your client needs you to do extra work, well, OK, but you will need to adjust the deadline. 

I always make it clear with the clients I am under a deadline with: 

• If the project requirements change - expanding - and those changes must be incorporated into the current project and its deadline - the deadline will require adjustment in order to account for the additional work. 

And... one final bonus strategy....

STEP 6: Don't Be Afraid to Ship in "Beta"

This strategy comes from the land of software development.  Software is built and tested internally with a development team, who try to test and grab all the bugs in the "alpha" phase of the project.

In regards to copywriting, I compare this to a first complete draft of a piece. You have worked  through the entire blog post, editorial article, e-newsletter, email series, landing page, video sales letter, or long-form sales letter.  You've outlined the entire piece, you have all the research compiled and organized, and you have a rough draft of all the necessary pieces laid out in the correct order.

Then... "beta" is the NEXT PHASE.

In the software development world, this means the software is complete and has all the features.  This is the version that companies often use in public demonstrations, and sometimes it's released to a limited group for real-world testing. It's complete, but ... it's likely to still have some bugs. 

In copywriting, this means you have ensured all the major components of this piece of copy or content are present... you have given it the once over and ensured that style and voice are used correctly.  It has survived your internal process of beating it up. 

Your next step is to get some further input. And, it does not have to be "perfect" to take this next step. That need for perfection is where so many writers get HUNG UP. 

I have no idea who said it first, but I have heard the saying "Done is better than perfect." 

This is a hard one to swallow, especially for me... O.C.D. and all. 

But, getting it out the door by the deadline is better than perfect. 

If you don't get the project done on time, you are risking so much... missed opportunities... even missing the opportunity to make the copy better. 

Let me explain this a little further...
 
You can do personal review and tweak your work ... forever... and you still might never get it "just right".  Why?  Well, you need editor feedback to make it better.

See... we need people who AREN'T US, who don't have our set of assumptions, who don't have our worldviews, who don't have our bias towards the copy or content.... to actually review it and give us a sense of what's working... and what isn't.  

You can not be a proofreader and editor at the same time. These are just simple facts.

Remember, as a copywriter or a content developer, you are responsible for RESULTS.  You can NOT be afraid to put yourself on the hook. You can deliver. You need to deliver. 

Embrace your deadlines; they are not your enemy... I swear. 

Instead... they are really the BEST FRIEND a writer can have. Deadlines create a sense of urgency within us. They make sure that we FINISH what we start and that we continue to move forward and grow... and... drum-roll please.... because this is the KICKER.. 

They ultimately help us build the life we want... The Writer's Life.... 






Don't take my word for it. Use these six strategies for yourself. Don't forge to share your experiences or tips that work for you in your journey.  We love feedback!