Kerch's posts Kerch on 17 Dec 2006 04:12 pm
A deadline instead of a goal
Goals seem terribly elusive to me. I set a goal for myself but if I don’t reach it, what happens? Nothing. So what’s the big deal?
It’s probably a problem for many, if not most, women. When there is someone else involved in the project, then whatever gets done right on time… or maybe just a little late. But when it’s just for me, then it’s a big giant WHATEVER!
So I may have a goal to get my house and my stuff in order for Christmas. But the goal isn’t nearly as final as the deadline. My entire family is coming on Christmas eve. Some of them I haven’t seen in years. And although they are nieces and nephews I just KNOW they will be judging me wanting in the house keeping arena.
So there’s the deadline. I can make a list of everything that must be done between now and next week. I can figure out how to fit all the stuff that must be done into the schedule. And I can figure out what to chuck when the time grows short.
I have a client whose Christmas deadline has passed. If it wasn’t bought, put up or managed by December 12, it’s off the list! I can only bow to her determination. But she’s the one who told me that it’s not a goal to be ready, it’s a deadline.
People with ADHD like deadlines. The adrenaline rush that kicks in near the end that gives us the focus to do the thing. I think that may be what helped me get my list of exercise tunes posted — not the goal of it, but the deadline. I said I’d do it by Friday and I did.
So I’ll see how I do with what must be done by next week and then look for the next deadline.
Happy days to all!
