Deadlines are my friend

Over the last month and a half, I have learned a valuable lesson. Deadlines work.

I am a procrastinator by nature. If I don't have a solid deadline for something, it takes me forever to finish. If I have a long deadline, I still put it off until the last second. The last few weeks have been very busy for me. I have been working on several illustrations for a children's book, finishing some commissioned sculptures, while trying to get ready for the Doll and Teddy Expo, beginning a new picture book project, AND getting ready for the SCBWI LA conference (portfolio review, show, etc). About two weeks ago, I started to freak out. I couldn't see anyway that I was going to get everything done.

But here it is, and 90% of everything is done. The sculptures out the door, the illustrations completed, the picture book sketches done. My dolls for expo are 90% complete, and I suddenly I realize that I actually have 9 days to polish up my portfolio for SCBWI instead of a day or two as I feared.

The reason I was able to get everything done, is because I have some very serious deadlines, that were constantly on my mind. So, for the last seven weeks, I've been working my butt off, every evening, and on the weekends when I could. It was the fear of disappointing paying clients that put my procrastinating monster in her place. It was very tempting to watch marathons of CSI and Project Runaway in the evening... but those darn deadlines wouldn't let me.

I've also learned how important it is to set mini-deadlines. I might have several weeks to accomplish something, but if I tell my client that I will have this portion done by this day, and this by this day (and get paid at each point) that keeps me from putting things off until the last minute.
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Tomorrow is my last day of "work." Monday morning, I begin freelancing full time. I am very excited, and terrified. But I have faith that I can do it, and that God always provides.