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I Just Can't Get A Project Done

I Just Can't Get A Project Done2013-08-15T07:23:36+00:00

The Forums Forums The Workplace Strategies for Work I Just Can't Get A Project Done

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  • #121242

    jojosephine
    Member
    Post count: 62

    I cannot for the life of me get back to working on a project. I am doing a freelance animation video. I way underestimated the delivery date and the time to work on the project so I have now have a to tell them that the project is going to take 5x as long and I am making about $0.05 /hr. I am a multimedia designer and I love, LOVE what I do. It is a creative outlet for me. I can get “lost’ in projects all day. but I can’t because I am a stay at home mom with a multimedia freelance business on the side. Which is my other huge problem. I cannot side down here and there with distractions in between (all tasks of being a homemaker and mom). It is hard to focus and get back to the project. as soon as the kids go to bed, I have to crawl in bed.  I am soooo exhausted by 8pm there is no way I could do work at nights. and on weekends I want to be with my husband and family. Tons of stay at home moms have side businesses that are successful.

    I am just frozen with this task and just cant push forward with it.

    I am waiting for treatment and I have no idea how long it will take.

    Will the medication help? What can I do in the meantime to get motivated to do this. I think I am going to lose this job and EVEN WORSE this big client.

    Please Help.

     

     

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    #121243

    seabassd
    Member
    Post count: 119

    @jojosephine,

    I’ve got so much to say in response to your post. Oddly enough I have a morning deadline for a creative, so I’ll reply later today or tomorrow.

    Just let your client know about the extended deadline. Long-term clients are usually understanding. After talking to them you will be able to relax a bit more. Let your family know whats up and see if they can make some short term adjustments while you move through the project.

    Talk more later…

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    #121245

    dithl
    Participant
    Post count: 158

    @jojosephine:

    Oh, gosh, the memories of being a stay at home mom…your children and all the household chores nagging at you are expert distraction machines. Yes, “Tons of stay at home moms have side businesses that are successful.” If I could count the number of times I said similar things…why do we do that to ourselves? Don’t worry about all of those other moms. Assuming you have a diagnosis, you are dealing with an entirely different kettle of fish than they are. Look for the large and small victories in your day — e.g., child(ren) fed? SCORE. Bonus points for each and every cuddle, even if it takes you away from what you “should” be doing.

    As for your dilemma:

    Time Management:
    “I way underestimated the delivery date and the time to work on the project so I have now have a to tell them that the project is going to take 5x as long and I am making about $0.05 /hr.”
    — pencil that under the category “professional development”. (Hands-on training in time management). Let this one go, time management will probably be something you will work on a lot. Meantime, a quick tool that may be helpful — pomodoro technique, helps you work through big projects in 25 minute spurts of activity. Here’s a link to their free downloadable “cheat sheet” and to-do checklists. http://www.pomodorotechnique.com/goodies/

    Negative Thinking, A.K.A. Dread
    You are attaching a lot of negative thinking to this project. Reasons why you can’t progress with it, what will happen if you don’t finish it, how failing at it would really impact you. That’s normal…but unfortunately, it gets in the way of accomplishing things. Try (? wish I could say how…I do this too) to acknowledge those thoughts, then put them on the shelf and….

    Pick One Thing.
    …choose just one task to get you going. Anything. If you are mentally fried, make it something physical, even cleaning up your workspace. It might seem to be a trivial part of the overall picture, but the important thing is, picking one thing gets you over the inertia and can help you un-freeze.

    Alone Time
    Is it possible to get that somehow during the day? Personally, my mommy brain doesn’t turn off when family is around. Everyone is different, but it can be very hard to switch to a different track. Can anyone mind your children for an hour or 2 even one day a week? Can you work easily in the home, or would it be worth it to set up in a coffee shop or a library? If home is the only option, then you need to carve out time when you are mentally alert to work on your project. Really hard to do to take that time. But it’s not taking time *from* your family — you are a better mom if you are engaged in your creative work too. Write it in Sharpie on the wall if you need to – e.g., “1:00-2:00 is MOM time. Do NOT disturb unless something or someone is on fire.” After they are in bed — yep, way too late.

    Will medication help?
    Probably. Everyone is different, and it can take time to figure out what works for you. For me, it helps by 1. Allowing me to block out distractions 2. Think and plan more effectively 3. Not feel absolutely exhausted all the time — before, I would also be just a zonked noodle once the children were in bed. Now, I can actually choose to do work in the evening.

    In the meantime…
    Keep connected. This is an awesome place to go for cheers, hurrahs and commiseration. Keep us updated on your progress! Having someone friendly to report to can be great for accountability 🙂

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    #121247

    Wgreen
    Participant
    Post count: 445

    This is a wonderful illustration of why ADD is a big deal. Lord knows, I’ve been there, done that. If there were some strategy, any strategy, Jo could use (apart from meds or somebody constantly standing over her shoulder) to get her project moving before CRUSHING pressure forces her to do it, ADD wouldn’t be a serious disorder. It would just be a bothersome life problem a little behavio(u)r modification could iron out.

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    #121286

    trashman
    Member
    Post count: 546

    Be of good cheer! you have to take the time and choose what is important to you . Is it the home life of the career ? some people can have both , but some of us will have to choose what we really want in life!!

    do not compare you life and things you get done , to things others accomplish . true happiness is about your happiness that you want, and take hold of. then choose to live that life!  THEN BE  HAPPY!!! YOU ARE WORTH IT !!!!!!!

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    #121289

    Fabulous
    Member
    Post count: 173

    Awesome post, @dithl. I feel like printing this out and framing it.

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