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Posts Tagged ‘meet deadlines’

Here’s a Smart Tip for all writers, editors, and professors:  Over the past year I have enjoyed a monthly e-newsletter called Ease in Writing: Writing Tips from Full Circle Communications. I think you’d like it, too.

It’s smart, focused, and free.

Paula Tarnapol Whitacre is a professional editor/writer, whose clients have sent her around the US and the world to attend meetings, gather research, and write or edit. Each month her newsletter is to-the-point, clever, and timely.
 
In one issue called “May I Quote You?” she raises the question, “How can you use those great quotes you dutifully wrote down?”  Her answer, “Sparingly.”

She does add a bit more on quotes, and, as always, it’s in her style of giving you essential info . . . sparingly.

In another newsletter (“How Long Will It Take to Edit?”), Paula gives us the answers that she gained when she asked several professional editors how long it takes them to edit a project and how they figure their estimates. Just as importantly, she describes different levels of editing.

Ease in Writing is a great model for a newsletter, and Paula is a marvelous example for writers.  She describes herself as a “creative, deadline-adhering writer and editor.”  Not only does she honor deadlines for work she does for pay, but she also meets her monthly deadline for sending out her free newsletter. 

If you’re not subscribed to Paula’s Ease in Writing newsletter, go ahead.  Try it.

Email Paula Tarnapol Whitacre at or go to her website (http://www.fullcircle.org) and sign up there. 

How are you doing with your deadlines this month? I hope you are having ease in your writing.

Nancy

Nancy Whichard, Ph.D., PCC
Your International Dissertation Coach and Academic Career Coach

www.nancywhichard.com
www.dissertationbootcamp.net
www.usingyourstrengths.com

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Want to feel calm, even fulfilled, while increasing your productivity?  And meet a dissertation deadline?  Read on.

Recently, I blogged about how a client achieved greater productivity in her writing. 

She and I had collaborated over what steps would most likely yield success.  Sticking to her plan gave her the success she wanted–she met her deadline by increasing her productivity. 

The 4- step plan that she followed could also help you achieve greater productivity and meet a deadline:
1. Write each morning– maximize the morning time
2. Regulate breaks–stick to the schedule
3. Exercise at the end of the day
4. Each evening, journal about the day’s wins and clarify the goals for the following day.

And there’s more!

My client discovered two huge, unexpected added benefits to following through on the plan. 

1.  One terrific benefit was that she felt fulfilled at the end of each day. 

Each morning, she knew what she wanted to accomplish that day.  Each evening, she could tick off what she had accomplished, and surprise, surprise—she felt fulfilled.  No remorse or guilt.  She had done the work she said she would do.  She felt content and happy at the end of the day. Fulfilled.

2.  A second terrific bonus was that even though she was writing to meet a deadline—typically, a high-anxiety time for her– her stress levels were very low. In fact, she felt a great sense of calm

She says, “I was putting in the hours. And I’d think, ‘Oh, I’m not stressed’ and the next day it would occur to me again, ‘I’m not stressed’.”

She had written toward deadlines before and had not expected that this time would be so different. The lack of stress, the feeling of calm while she was writing, and the fulfillment she felt at the end of the day were wonderful gifts. 

But well-deserved gifts.  There was no wishful or magical thinking.  She had a realistic plan, and she followed through each day.

And she is closer to getting on with her life.  Hurray!

I’d love to hear from you—what plan have you put in place that is giving you the success you want plus added benefits?

This week, as a special gift for signing up for my Smart Tips e-newsletter and to underline my hopes that you will soon be getting on with your life, I will give you a 30-minute call. Go to my website (www.nwcoaching.com) and sign up for my Smart Tips e-newsletter.

Cheers!

Nancy
Your International Dissertation Coach
www.nancywhichard.com

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