Off the Clock – Well, That Didn’t Go As Planned..

missed deadlineHuh.  It’s October 31st, and while I had pledged to write every day in the month of October (to be clear, that would have been 31 posts on this topic) … I posted eight (well, nine – if you count today) times.   Reflecting on the month, and how swiftly it went by -I am not disappointed by my accomplishments however.  I did write every day -I wrote the workbook for the Off the Clock class that was a HUGE hit (so much so, we are holding it again on November 12th), I wrote several coaching summaries for my clients, and I wrote my new marketing plan, updated my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as often as I could.

Missed deadlines and goals are a part of the game when working full time for someone else and running your own business, after all, a big chunk of our time is commissioned to someone else.  While I missed my personal goal of posting a blog every day – I was pretty near successful in every goal (and my boss required me to hit) this month.  But, there is still a part of me that want’s to freak out a little about pushing my own stuff back.

What you do when your boundaries get pushed,  and your work takes the back seat causing you to miss a deadline?

DON’T HAVE A FREAK OUT – A lot of time gets wasted ruminating about what never was.  Panic also squashes creativity.  Instead, take a deep breath, go for a walk, and decide what you can do to pick up the pieces.  Can you make a new deadline? Create a smaller version of the larger project?  Hold the project for another launch date?  Think of the work you did and how to reuse it – don’t scrap everything!

KEEP GOING – Most of the time, deadlines are self-imposed.  For instance, I can still write 31 posts regarding the topic of working full time and having a side-business – and I probably will.  I may even turn my series into an ebook (won’t that be fun?) … and there I go again, creating another project, with another deadline.   Your creations will be ready when they are ready – and just like cookies from the oven, your audience is anticipating them, and will gobble them up when you present them.

MOVE ON – This is a little harder, because it requires forgiveness – believe me, forgiving myself is one of my weak points. But it’s necessary to let things go.  If you spend so much time lamenting about your last missed deadline – you might miss the next one.  Remember -you are creating something good! Your life is supporting your dream!  It might take a little longer to reach the summit because you have a longer trail to hike – but the view is worth it!  Now, get moving – Your Mountain is Waiting!

 

In the meantime – hit the heights and be excellent!
Priscilla Hansen Mahoney
Blazing Trails Coaching
The Natural Business Leadership Guide

 

This article is part of the #write31days challenge for October 2015. To catch up on the whole series – click HERE.

 

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Business Leadership Guide and Founder of Blazing Trails Coaching I help business owners and leaders grow healthy, sustainable, and resilient organizations. I help you train your leaders, manage your resources, and create time saving workflows that help you become the efficient, productive leader you were meant to be, and your business and family deserves.

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