My Mean Boss

Window overlooks blurred sunshine. Laptop and coffee cup sit on a desk. My Mean Boss #timemanagement and JillKemerer.com/blog are written on the graphic.

My Mean Boss As I write this, we're having the most glorious weather. It's in the low seventies with full sunshine. Trees are blooming everywhere. Little yellow daffodils wave hello as you drive or walk past them. And you know what? I really want to be outside. But noooo... I'm…

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The 3 Ps of Time Management

Psychology of Time Management. 3 Ps of time management. JillKemerer.com, Jill Kemerer Blog

We all want to manage our time wisely, and I don’t know a single writer who thinks they’ve nailed time management. It’s hard when everywhere we look we’re bombarded with other people’s success. From Facebook to Instagram to Twitter and beyond, we’re tricked into thinking everyone has their life together…except us.

Let’s look at the psychology of time management–what specifically hinders us or helps us?

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The Secret to Getting Started

The Secret to Getting Started by Jill Kemerer author

As I write this, it’s Monday. I woke up in a crum-diddly mood, and that’s not a good thing. I can’t point to one specific reason. There were many reasons, and they all sound stupid. Regardless, I was not motivated to do anything–not one single thing–on my schedule.

Every weekday morning, after my Bible reading and coffee time, I exercise. But today? Wasn’t feeling it. In fact, my thoughts went to danger-zone territory.

  • I’m too tired.
  • It’s overcast and depressing outside.
  • Everyone else has a national holiday from work, why don’t I take one too?
  • The workout is forty-five minutes long. What kind of person ever wants to exercise for that long? Not this kind of person, that’s for sure.
  • I have other things to do. Better things. (I didn’t.)

At that point, I knew I’d be mad at myself if I chucked my entire schedule. However, I also knew today wasn’t going to light the world on fire as far as my productivity, so I decided to take a nap–with the firm agreement I would work out as soon as I woke up.

Then I’d get started on my day.

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Building a Cushion into Deadlines

Building a Cushion Into Deadlines by Jill Kemerer

You’re crushing your goals, on track to meeting your deadline when disaster strikes. A week later all you can think is well, that didn’t go as planned.

I lived this last week. On Sunday, I woke up with a killer migraine, and I didn’t feel better until Friday. A five-day migraine might be a record for me (and not one I particularly wanted!). Anyway, I had to throw my goals for the week out the window. I do not like missing my goals. I really don’t like missing them AND being sick.

Meeting Deadlines

It wasn’t catastrophic for me. I try very hard to work ahead, and I always build a cushion into my deadlines. Migraines can hit me out of the blue so, in order to meet my deadlines, I have to be smart. I cannot wait to the last minute to finish a book, especially since that last minute might be spent on the couch with a cold cloth over my eyes.

Meeting deadlines is easier if we plan for the unexpected.

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Organizing the Writing Life: Business

Organizing the Writing Life: Business. Jill Kemerer

It’s been over a decade since I submitted my first proposal to an editor who’d requested it. Back then I wrote in our living room, where I had a small folding chair and a tiny table for a desk. I didn’t care! I was so excited to finally be taking the plunge and sending out my work.

Over the years, everything got more complicated. Between digital drafts, contracts, author copies of my books, income/expense reports and all the other million and one items I need to be able to access easily, there was no way a tiny table was going to cut it. I had to come up with a system.

Thankfully, I adore systems!

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