Okay, so I've been keeping a secret from all of you. I've taken on a new job that I can't quite tell you about yet. My contract is signed and delivered, but I'm waiting for the official announcement to tell you all what it is.
What I can say is that I've become insanely busy! My writing desk looks like a case of Post-It notes threw up on it. Seriously, I'm talking those big Post-It pads with lines on them stuck EVERYWHERE! My desk has three shelves on it, and they are serving as places to stick my notes. Not to mention the notes covering the actual desk portion where I work.
So what I've realized is that my organization has turned into clutter. If you saw my desk (and no, I'm not going to subject you to pictures of my chaos), you'd think I was the messiest writer ever. But…it works for me because I love crossing things off my notes and then ultimately crumpling them up and tossing them when I've accomplished everything on the notes. That's a good feeling.
I guess in a way, the Post-It notes make me feel like I'm somewhat in control and they give me a sense of accomplishment when I can toss them in the trash.
How do you handle being busier than busy? Do you have an avalanche of Post-Its, too?
DH always says that really busy people who are working hard never have neat and tidy work spaces. From his POV-- an uncluttered desk means you're not doing much. I think it's safe to say you are industrious, and your desk covered with post-its affirms it. Congratulations on your new secret job!
ReplyDeleteYeah, a clean desk would mean no work, and that wouldn't make me happy.
DeleteSharing my office space with the rest of the family (and it's also the dining room), I can't leave much out so I use my phone immensely (reminders, deadlines, notes) and my laptop too. Busier times mean a lot of pre planning and late nights.
ReplyDeleteI used to work in the dining room too, so I know exactly what you mean.
DeleteCongrats on your secret job!
ReplyDeleteI don't feel so bad now about my desk being a mess.
No, don't feel bad about it. :)
DeleteI tried finding my post-it notes yesterday and couldn't. Now I'm totally lost. Can't wait to hear the news!
ReplyDeleteOh no! Everyone needs Post-Its!!!! Hope you find them soon.
DeleteHey, someone has to keep the post-it company in business. ;) It's funny how being organized can look like the opposite. When I was a teen, I'd spread all my pictures, writing snippets etc in a circle, sit in the middle and write. It looked like a total mess to my mom, but it was the BEST.
ReplyDeleteI love the circle method! I've totally done that. And thank you for justifying my Post-It addiction. ;)
DeleteOur house just went on the market so I had to clear out all my clutter/organization. Now I have no idea what's going on. :)
ReplyDeleteOh wow! Good luck! Moving is always a crazy time.
DeleteI don't really have a writing desk, but my laptop screen works very well as a post-it-note holder.
ReplyDeleteI've been there. Lol
DeleteCongrats on the new gig? 007? I know that feeling of being overly busy. That is 2015 for me. I don't find post its very effective. If you MS outlook, that is good for using email to track to-dos, AEON timeline is super helpful to project management your writing.. a personal favorite is OneNote. But... as with everything we writers do, it tends to be a personal thing and generally a mixture of stuff.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Not quite 007. ;)
DeleteYes, it's all an individual thing.
Good for you! Just try to get your rest while keeping busy.
ReplyDeleteSo far I'm still sleeping at night, but I've been known to give that up if necessary.
DeleteI think I get to a point where I'm overwhelmed enough to become an avoider, which I am right now. So, I just stare at the things I have to do and get up and start a load of laundry. I consider which project to tackle next and go pull weeds. So in other words, I get nothing accomplished. I haven't even blogged. But, I know it will unclog soon enough and I'll get back to being my normal high producing self. (This is funny - the dryer just ended. Looks like I'm avoiding again ;) )
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new job.
I never choose housework over writing or editing. No thank you. Lol
DeleteProcrastinate!
ReplyDeleteI can't. Lol I get obsessive instead.
DeleteI'm still trying to work out handling being busier than ever. I do have a dry erase board. It is satisfying erasing things from that board.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm sure it is. :)
DeleteMy plan is foolproof-ish. I have an awful lot of notebooks, and also printed in large letters on my writing room door, that if anyone even dreams about coming in they should wake up and apologise.
ReplyDeleteLol I like that. ;)
DeleteI have an agenda with my weekly to-do list. I love crossing things off. My desk is messy because I have too many supplies on it, but I've tried to pare down.
ReplyDeleteI love my agenda. Crossing things off is very satisfying.
DeleteAh, I love crumpling and tossing! And I truly should do it more often... but then folks might think I have more free time (from working and writing) than I care to share!:-)
ReplyDeleteCongrats, I think, on your latest spate of busyness! Hope it's well worth the effort you put into everything you do!
Thanks, Diedre!
DeleteI don't use Post-its that much but I use notepads. I always have a few (5?) on the desk, and then books, and papers, and palettes and brushes, and rags, and yea my desk needs clearing every night.
ReplyDeleteI love the Post-It notepads.
Deleteoh man, I'm so awful with organization. The sad thing is I used to be AMAZING at it. Now my desk is a disaster and my MSs are too lol
ReplyDeleteI think that's normal for a writer. ;)
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