Start projects early and finish before deadline

We’d planned a big upholstery project last week while I was on vacation. While we had some of the things we needed, I didn’t plan very well, and we ended up wasting a lot of time – both in running around town looking for supplies, and in redoing mistakes (putting in the springs upside down) that I made because I didn’t plan ahead.

My wife is a great planner, and I need to learn from her by working with her to plan things, even if it means having to give up some control of projects.

I like the idea of tackling big projects, but seem to have problems actually completing them.

My big problem is I wait to start things, then get very rushed at the end, and occasionally blow a deadline.

I’m down to one of those deadlines now, and I’m not going to let it happen again.

I’ve got a big project going on at work that I thought was going to be due next Wednesday, but my boss surprised me today and gave me another week to finish it. I didn’t even ask for more time.

I need to get on top of this project early and not futz around with it.

Been kinda snowed under here at work these days.

Back soon.

Not getting the promotion I wanted earlier this week is making me think more than a bit about what I want to do with my worklife.

The guy who got the job I wanted is a notorious job-hopper in my company. He’s done about everything, and this move was more of a lateral one for him. So I’m wondering how long he’s going to be there, and what I can do to be ready when he moves again.

His move opens a copy editing job that might be good for me, but it would be nights instead of days. It would be four, 10-hour days instead of five, 8-hour days, which means more flexibility to do projects with my wife. It’s also a skill that’s in much higher demand these days than reporting, should we decide to move somewhere else.

I’ve got lots of discussing to do with my wife this weekend.

Today I learned I’ve been passed over for a promotion – again. Like so many other times, I came in second place.

The guy who got the job instead of me is more qualified, and will do a great job, but I didn’t know he had applied for it until my boss told me I wasn’t getting the promotion. So I’m kinda shocked right now.

Six months ago this same job was open, and my boss gave it to someone less qualified than me, and now she’s leaving. I’m kicking myself for not having tried harder then. But I can’t change the past.

Maybe this is a blessing. I wasn’t crazy about the idea of working more hours, though I could certainly have used the money.

I need to figure out my next move.

I need to get my career on track this year.

I’ve got opportunities for training and advancement if I just seize them.