Last week I worked on a spread-sized illustration assignment for a magazine that was very detailed and complex. (I'll post it after the issue comes out.) I had only a few days to complete the final art. Hunching over my drawing table all week was not great for my eyes, wrist, back or brain-- but I was pleased with the finished piece, and the sense of satisfaction when I shipped it out on Friday felt great. (Not to mention leaving the house for the first time all week. Who knew grocery shopping could be so much fun??) This I have learned: I am much more productive when I have a deadline.
When I'm not busy I set deadlines for my own writing and illustration projects. For some reason it's easier to focus when I have a lot of things on my to-do list. I take these self-imposed deadlines as seriously as a paying assignment-- they help quell that gnawing anxiety about not having created enough.
So, how about you-- do you set your own deadlines? Do you work better with them or with wide-open spaces of time?
Deadlines make things happen for me. I try to make my own, but then if I break them who'd know? So I find real ones work better. Whether it's signing up for a workshop, or meeting with a critique group, I have to get it done! I tend to work better under pressure. (Although sometimes that's not near as much fun.)
ReplyDeleteI find deadlines work to get things done great in other areas of life too. Want to finish that home improvement project or have a clean house, just invite company over. Now you have a deadline and you get it done! :)
Interesting topic!
gail
You are SO right about planning a party as motivation to fix up the house... we've done that many times! :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, workshops and critique groups are great, too. Keeps your "head in the game!"