Deadlines
As I hit the send key at 1:00 AM this morning to send my document to the client, I came to the conclusion that whoever thought up the name "deadline" for the due date for projects had the right idea. Either you kill yourself meeting the deadline that is usually set far too close to the initial assignment, or you get killed by your boss/your client if you miss it. Either way, you're dead!
I've been dealing with deadlines left and right since I got back from vacation in mid-August. The company that I do technical writing for was awarded a huge contract to develop 11 training courses between mid-September 2007 and mid-January 2008. This was of course over and above the training sessions that were already schedule with a variety of other customers. Since we are a very small company, and I can only assign small portions of course development to colleagues, I was left with the bulk of the development. This all translates to working 40+ hours a week since early September instead of my usual 25 hours. Mix this with the start of a new school year, followed soon afterwards by preparation by two of my kids for Black belt exams in karate and rehearsals for the annual Senior High School fashion show by my oldest, and the deadlines become lethal!
Though I am more exhausted than I have ever been -- even when the kids were waking me through the night -- I am happy to say that I have met all of my work deadlines on time (Only three more to go before Christmas and one more after that based on the current planning schedule). I am also proud to say that I am the mom to two Black belt karatekas, aged 10 and 13 (they passed their rigourous 3-hour exam last Friday night), and my oldest has her debut on the catwalk tonight for the first of three shows. We all made it!
Well, I've got to go. My kids have a "Teacher Training Day" today so they are all home and one of my remaining dealines is today at 4:00 for a 3-day training session on Quality Assurance and Management. I still need to proofread all my stuff and make time to take the kids to the dentist at 1:00 before I drive Sabrina to school for preparation for the fashion show. Hmmm...I wonder if I can get the kids to help with the proofreading??
Lucie Bouchard Antoniazzi, Regular Columnist, All in a Mom-day's Work
I know what you mean about deadlines. My problem is that I set my own deadlines, for various tasks, and I kill myself. LOL.
I'm glad you've almost completed all of those deadlines, with not much farther to go, timewise. I don't think anyone could continue on that way until another August vacation! Phew!
Congratulations to your kids!!!
Posted by: Sue Donckels | November 29, 2007 at 12:30 PM