A Deadline Is . . .

A deadline is a beautiful thing.
Maira Kalman

Anyone who does creative work, or any work that is comprised of a lot of pieces, knows the wisdom of that statement! I am in the midst of packing up my house for a major move. Although a lot of planning has gone into this adventure, there was a certain resistance to beginning the packing process.

• I didn’t want to have boxes sitting around,
• I didn’t want to make some of the tough decisions I needed to make, and
• I didn’t know what those tough decisions were, so I really, couldn’t make them!

But now the deadline is almost upon me, and there is nothing to do but press ahead and make decisions and adjustments as I go. Always when I’m in the depths of deadline overwhelm it is really helpful to consider what I’ve gotten done, not what lies ahead. I apply the same principles to meeting knitting deadlines!

Deadline Dones

• I have sold two barrel chairs, a credenza, a desk, three Elfa file frames and drawers, two ottomans, and a sofa bed.
• I sold a knitting machine and ribber.
• I shipped two chests to my niece.
• I had someone come pack all the books, LPs, CDs (let’s say 45 or 50 boxes).
• I cleared the refrigerator and freezer of food that can’t be moved or consumed.
• I have scheduled all the work that needs to be done at this location.
• I’ve scheduled work on the new location.
• I gave a dinner party for eight.
• I have cleared out/packed the laundry room.
• I have packed the guest room except for hanging clothes.
• I have packed about 85% of my office/studio.
• I sent someone else to donate my excess craft items and household items.

I have lists for most rooms still needing packing arranged on the dining room table. I can check things off as I do them and find focus when I start to feel my wheels spin. I seem to be going from feeling focused and on top of things to feeling complete freaking panic.I did do some fun drawings this weekend. The deadline looms. I got this deadline quote from my friend Jane Dolan, thequotelab.com.