A Deluge of Deadlines

I have a problem. I’ve grown completely resentful of deadlines.

And, I’m hoping someone can relate?! Aren’t deadlines supposed to be helpful? Aren’t they supposed to be tools for planning and helping maintain our sanity? For moving us forward not setting us into tailspins? They are just dates on a calendar, right? Work proposal deadlines, college decision deadlines, taxes deadlines....they seem so objective and benign! So why are they messing with my capacity to focus, rushing my creativity, teasing me with that “you have up until” part like they are giving me all the time in the world, even buzzing around in my dreams? I’ve followed the recommendations on how to handle upcoming deadlines. They are written down on my calendar. They are chunked out into small bits to tackle to make them manageable and to generate the feeling of progress. But, it hasn’t seemed to help me like them any better. It’s not that I’m not grateful for them. I mean, trust me when I say, our entire household is going to be very relieved on May 1 when my son’s college decision making process is over. It’s just that there are so many deadlines, and they seem so in charge of my life. So, I’ve come up with a plan. I am hereby renaming my deadlines “precursors to fun” and am attaching a mandatory celebration to each one on my calendar. Maybe it’s a toast with a friend, a family game of Yahtzee, a short ride on my spin bike, a trip to the nail salon, or a funny podcast I get to look forward to. Who knows?! All I know is I just got way more motivated and a whole lot less stressed. My dreaded deluge of deadlines just became an opportunity for ongoing awesomeness. Ahhh. I feel better already! I’m sure you’re relieved :-) Love, Molly