Tuesday 23 July 2013

Working under pressure


Do you know, I've decided that I definitely work better under pressure. When I was studying for all those years I systematically sat myself down for three hours every afternoon during the week to read my books, make notes and write essays. That being so I arranged my life around this - shopping, housework, washing, ironing - you know all the mundane but important things we do to keep a nice home, plus meet up with friends for coffee or lunch, browse around the odd charity shop or two, go to the gym, bake cakes and more importantly write my blog.

So - why is it that now I no longer have this chain around my neck, do I not have the time to fit these things into my daily life? I constantly start one job only to find I end up doing another. The gym, well that's been a  definite no-no!


Do you remember me telling you I was looking forward to reading normal books again? - hasn't happened.



and as for charity shops - haven't been in one for months. 




As for gardening - well the weather didn't help - too wet for months and now too hot and dry (not complaining of course) - must get out there soon




Baking - well it's simply not happening



I was looking forward to starting on some new crafting projects too - loads in the magazines I'd been buying. Have I? No.

As for my blog, this was the one thing I knew that I would definitely make the time for as I so enjoy writing but in fact I'm only putting out about one a week on average at the moment, and I miss it.

If I could organise my life during my Uni years then there is no reason why I shouldn't be able to fit these things into my life now. I kept to a strict routine. So - I have planned out a new weekly routine, give or take the odd spontaneous-something-different-to-do-kind-of-days and I'm all set for a change.

Is this going to happen I wonder? I've often heard people say when they're particularly busy "life simply gets in the way of life" - is this so? Am I being too rigid or should I just take life as it comes and do what I want, when I want.  I think maybe secretly I'm awaiting the results of my degree (fourteen days and counting) before I get back to normal living again. Well that's my excuse anyway...

I'd love to know if you work better under pressure?



22 comments:

  1. I was just the same for me. It was such a relief to finish that my 'time table' went completely and my days turned into a kind of a fog.I tried to fight against it, even made the mistake for signing up for a Masters (left after 1 year when I realised I didn't really want to do it any more!). Gradually, life returned to a more normal balance - don't lead such an exciting one as you by the look of it:) Now, I just do what I want, when I want and have finally accepted that yes, it is okay to live like that!

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  2. Patricia, this was the main thrust of my 're-organising posts' earlier this year. I felt I was on a conveyor belt but getting nowhere. Since retiring we have both become very active in other ways and so my routine is all shot. I keep reigning myself in and writing lists, making plans, but realistically they don't last very long. Ah well, we must be doing SOMETHING we enjoy! And don't worry - I think a blog a week is pretty good, I try for one every 5-6 days or so but often go over. To be honest I couldn't manage much on a daily basis and I can't keep up with some bloggers even though I enjoy their posts. Just don't let it become a burden or...what's the point? Do as Dc above says, live life for yourself (normal commitments taken for granted!) Lxx

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  3. My first visit to your blog and I have enjoyed reading through past posts. I love a bit of routine and I have a mantra at the moment and it is 'I make something everyday' even if it is a birthday card, a nice evening meal or a few rows knitting on a big project. Think small chunks and big things will happen... Will be visiting again soon to see how you get on. For a little bit of inspiration visit my blog ... if you have time of course!!

    http://joeveryday19.blogspot.co.uk

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  4. I think I agree with you on this one Patricia. Somehow when you know you have do make time you do, but when you think you have plenty of time, somehow you just keep putting things off. Regarding the blog posts, I sometimes do one a week, other times two or three,but I find myself stuck for something to say sometimes.

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  5. Ive heard it said that if you want any help - ask a busy woman. The less time I have, the more I seem to fit in. When I have loads of time, I accomplish nothing! xx

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  6. It is so hot Patricia that I think everybody has put their jobs on hold. Just relax and make the most of it, there will be plenty of cold gloomy months to fill in the winter months.
    Such excitement awaiting your degree results that must be using up a lot of your nervous energy too - keeping my fingers crossed for you.

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  7. That's exactly how I felt when I first stopped working, so I know how you feel - but just take it a day at a time. Some days will be more productive than others, but just give yourself a chance to adjust and before you know it, you'll be filling your days doing all the things you love (except the housework, of course!)
    Hugs xx

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  8. There's nothing like pressure to get one motivated. It's amazing where the time goes when you don't have to fit so much in, it's not just you!

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  9. I completely agree about the pressure...
    I work best on a schedule, if I'm left to a full day on my own, I get to 5pm and wonder where my day went. If you're set on changing your time schedule and want to get more done, if you truly want it... you'll do it! You just have to get in the habit of a schedule, once its a habit it will be 2nd nature! You deserve time to yourself to get these things done... these fun things! Its all about the journey...

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  10. I'm like you the busy the days are the time I have to do things.

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  11. Very best wishes for the results of your degree - you really have that hanging over you right now. You are not alone in not doing all those things you list - it happened to me also. In fact, I have never gotten back to the level of reading for pleasure I had in the past. Somehow the speed and scanning reading I did while studying actually started me on poor reading habits. Still working on that one. You may find once the results are out, you become more focussed but meantime - enjoy life, whatever way you fancy! xx

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  12. I completely agree! Wasnt there an old saying along the lines of "If you want something doing, ask a busy person"? I'm great with a tight schedule and hopeless when there's no pressure. Jx

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  13. I can relate to this post! So many times I have looked forward to days where I didn't have a single thing scheduled, and nothing pressing to do at home, only to find at the end of the day I hadn't done anything of the things I had been looking forward to doing. Somehow the day just got frittered away.

    Finding the balance between structure and chaos is tricky. With my writing it helped a lot when I made a schedule of going out to a coffee shop three mornings a week to write. There had been so many days I had the best of intentions, but somehow the day got away from me and no writing happened. Once I had that small bit of routine established I felt better, and got way more done. So I say go for some routine, but don't make it too structured. A little pressure shapes, a lot of pressure suffocates. :-)

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  14. Life can be very strange and I think routine does make things fall into place but boy can it be difficult to do routine sometimes. I think probably you do have this thing at the back of your mind and it's hard to settle doing things. So yes, a little routine and a little of whatever else may be good for you. x

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  15. I'm sure that the day you receive your result is at the back of your mind all the time at the moment. I feel happier keeping to a basic routine and I try to do some writing and maybe some reading every day. There's nothing like having guests to stay to get me doing household chores and this is the season for having family around so it's difficult to completely please myself and follow my own interests.

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  16. Hi Patricia, believe it or not I am in the very same place, and I'm hating it. Ever since finishing the boat, I have been having trouble getting my life back. I've finally got caught up on all the household jobs that were put on hold, but now that I have time for myself, I seem to not have any gusto to get moving. I've always been great at helping and doing for others and not for myself. Now, I have the time to do so many things and I just can't get with it. I work best on a schedule and retirement doesn't give that structure.

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  17. Patricia, when I work under the pressure I nervous. And live in chaos as well. I hope you finish your Uni years and all will be on their places. I love your cake and especially your bread- yummy!

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  18. Oh I had to smile when I read this- I can relate to this so much- I was once told at uni- that I would never get any better at organising my time- I would just get better in doing things in the time I have! I have an analogy for this - it's like imagining parking a car into a very tight space- if there was only one space in a car park- i'd be able to squeeze myself in and with a bit of jostling park the car in the smallest space possible- But if there were loads of spaces- I would still end up driving around for ages, trying to decide on which space to take- and then end up parking astride the lines!- So here's hoping that things work out for you:)

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  19. Oh Patricia , I loved reading this post. and yes I recognize it very much...
    Enjoy the weather and have a wonderful weekend.
    Hugs Erna

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  20. As they say, "If you want something done, ask the busiest person". I think it's true that we go through phases of activity and then not doing so much. I blame the weather at the moment, it's too hot to concentrate on anything!

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  21. This hot weather has brought me to a standstill. But generally I hate pressure, although when I was writing for NaNoWriMo last year and had a deadline to meet I worked on my novel every afternoon without fail - so maybe I can do it when I need to.

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  22. Like everyone else I can identify very strongly with what you write here, Patricia. I think when we come to the end of a huge project like studying for a degree, once the pressure is off we're like a spring that's come unwound. Give yourself a break and time to recover from several years' concentrated work and once you've got your results and summer is over, I'm sure you'll find yourself getting into a 'new normal'.

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