I'm sure this doesn't apply to anyone we know, **wink** but when it comes to getting things done, some people run out of hours in the day and days in the week. So today, Tina Radcliffe shares some things she's learned from "the school of sinking fast." -- Sandy
Tina: Busy is a relative term. We’re all busy, and at times we
all get to that place where panic begins to set in and despite peddling faster,
we’re sinking…fast.
I’m a graduate of the school of sinking fast, and yet, a
complete optimist. Having weathered many overwhelming days
in my personal and professional life, I have learned that the same game plan
still works.
1. Eat
elephants
Stop. Take a deep breath. Now, what’s the single most important task at hand?
One foot in front of the other. Do the task and then take
a deep breath and do the next one.
I have Brian Tracy’s Eat That Frog in
audio, video, e-book and print book. The single most life changing thing I have
learned from his book is this: How do you eat an elephant? One step at a time.
That seems very simplistic, but your success in life is based on your ability to determine what’s most
important.
Eating elephants time is also a signal to cling to
Scripture. The LORD is my
strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps
for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7
2.
Plan for the worst
Create deadlines and sub-deadlines for yourself. Know
your limitations inside and out. Then plan for the worst-those times when
circumstances are not in your control.
During those times your life preserver will be the simple
fact that you thoroughly know your limitations. It’s the only way you can
realistically create a plan B.
How many hours of sleep can you survive on? How many
pages could you write per day if you had to? How much time do you need to get
the job done? At minimum you should know how fast you can write a synopsis, a
chapter, a book, when the pressure is on.
This is one of the
best reasons to enter writing contests if you are an unpublished author. It
forces you to meet deadlines. Deadlines to enter and deadlines to finish the
manuscript if you are a finalist.
3.
Develop a routine.
Routines may seem inconsequential and boring but they can
save your buns more times than not. If you ALWAYS put your car keys on the
hook, they will ALWAYS be there. If you ALWAYS put your security badge for work
in the middle pocket of your purse, it will ALWAYS be there.
And if you ALWAYS write one thousand words before you get
to check email you will ALWAYS have thirty thousand words at the end of any
given month.
Your routine should include avoiding the tendency to
please people by saying yes instead of ‘let me get back to you.’ Don’t over
promise either. Better to under promise
and then over deliver.
That’s it! A simple, three step plan to get you peddling, and back on track. What’s your plan for when life becomes overwhelming?
~~~~~
The Doctor and the Cowboy
Stranded at single father Dan
Gallagher's ranch during a Colorado blizzard, Dr. Beth Rogers is counting the
days till the roads are clear. She can't wait to leave for her exciting new
life in New York. But suddenly the big-city doctor is delivering babies in log
cabins, helping to feed newborn calves and teaching Dan's little girl to play
hymns on the piano. No-nonsense Beth even throws a snowball or two at the
handsome, love-shy cowboy. She thought she had her heart set on leaving, so why
does she dream of Dan asking her to stay forever?
Tina
Radcliffe writes fun, inspirational romance for Love Inspired. She is a 2014 ACFW
Mentor of the Year finalist and a 2014 ACFW Carol Award finalist in the short
novel category, with her first Paradise book, Mending
the Doctor’s Heart. Her latest Paradise
book, Stranded
with the Rancher is a September release. She’s also teaching Self-Editing for Beginners in October
in Seekerville’s Night Classes.
