On the clock

There are times when we have to get something done by a certain time, a ‘deadline’ if you will. These are common at work, school, playing sport, performing, writing books, catching flights, and many other activities too. What we have to work out is the best way for us to meet these deadlines. For some people, constantly being reminded of when something is due and checking up on progress, actually slows progress. For others this is a good way to encourage them by showing interest in their hard work.

With all the changes in the world, many people are working from home. While it can be disappointing not seeing colleagues and friends in person, travel time is reduced, allowing for the possibility to spend time on projects outside of work. For me this means diving headfirst into writing short stories for competitions, and knuckling down on editing my first book manuscript. It has been a busy time, but very productive.

Towards the end of last year New Zealand came out of lockdown and people slowly returned to working at work. Many businesses and organisations learned working from home was viable, and in some cases preferable, at least a few days a week. If work that needs to get done is getting done, and people doing that work are happy with it, it works. Other organisations have fallen back into the habit of wanting people to work in their office, even when it’s not necessary to get the work done. I am not qualified to offer advice on which is better in what situation, but I know the best way to figure it out is through assertive communication with everyone involved.

Some jobs require you to be in a specific place to work: pilots, professional athletes, doctors and other front line care workers, delivery drivers, taxi and ride-share drivers. For these jobs, there is necessity to be at their place of work for a designated length of time.

My job is mostly reconciling donations, accomplished at a computer. Much of this can be done wherever I have my work computer and access to the internet. I enjoy the company of my colleagues and working through different problems that arise, but I am happy being by myself where I can get stuck in and get my work done too. Again, I’m not qualified to say whether it’s best that we are in the office as often as we can be, but I know some are happier being able to work from home or outside ‘work hours’ for one day a week so they can spend more time with kids or get other important things done between the hours of 9 to 5.

All I’m suggesting is a little common sense from everyone involved, most definitely including me.

One thing I’ve realised over the past few months is I need to be accountable for the writing and editing I’m doing. I have a goal of getting books published. This requires me finishing writing and editing these books, and working with others who know more about the publishing process than I do. When I work consistently I make progress. When I spend excess amounts of time watching football, or Critical Role, or even learning Danish on the Duolingo app, I choose to take time away from working towards that goal. Rest plays a vital role, but when I set aside time to work on my writing, I must do the work, because no one else is going to do it for me.

Is there anything in your life you really want to get done? What is stopping you right now? Now, be honest with yourself and answer those questions again.

We will all experience legitimate obstacles that take time to overcome, but we will also experience apathy and self doubt. Both are surmountable.

You can do it. Peace.

Cover photo by abdullah . from Pexels.