We all do it. Make demands of ourselves that drive us ahead. Sometimes we think it is expected of us by others. Sometimes we are driven by latent emotions or feelings of inadequacy. Of course, sometimes self-imposed goals or deadlines are good for us.
I have imposed a deadline upon myself for the last two plus years. Write and publish a post each Saturday. I felt committed to writing to process my grief. It helped me continuously move ahead. This way, I kept my recent past at bay.
It worked. Of course, writing is just a part of the process. Many other factors contributed to my well being. I find myself busy with many past times now. I have a new social network. New relationships and locations keep me hopping. So much so that I didn’t write.
I’ve been thinking that writing my blog posts has become expected of me by my readers. Yet for the several weeks of What Javia darkness, no one asked my why I was not posting. That’s when I realized that my deadline is self-imposed.
If it’s not this, then it is something else. Empty some boxes. Put stuff away. Do the laundry and clean the house. Okay. Those are needed tasks. But how often do I press upon myself to do the chores on certain days? How often do you?!
I use Recurring Tasks to remind me of my deadlines. Water the plants on Monday. Take out the garbage each Wednesday (that one is necessary). Finish my blog post by 3 pm each Friday. Obviously, there are required tasks that reminders keep me apprised of. Some people still use paper. I use the computer, or my phone.
As usual, I write as though the topic matter is unique to me. I do know better. I am sure that you share at least some traits of self imposition. Think about it. How many self imposed deadlines or tasks are really important? What would happen if you let them slide? Which ones are necessary?
Yet here I am on a Friday afternoon scrambling to spew out my thoughts. With 20 minutes to go until 3 pm. I am still driven to give you something in your inbox, published at 12 pm each Saturday.
But now I think I can give myself a break if I don’t make it from time to time. After all, it is better to have something worthwhile to say. Topic matter more meaningful than just putting something out there for you to ponder – like self-imposed deadlines.