@HungryGuy I understand. Perhaps I will change my priorities and my attitude. It looks like I need to set new expectations for myself and find a better way to manage my time. I don’t want to disappoint myself, but maybe the only reason I end up being disappointed in myself in the first place is because I am too hard on myself when I don’t measure up to my own unrealistic standards. I have known myself to work away at something to perfect it, even after it was already completed, just because I wanted it to be perfect before I handed it in or made it clear that I was finished.
I do want to write a novel, so that’s not a bad idea.
@DaphneT That’s alright. You came across as thoughtful and helpful to me and still do. :)
Thank you for offering those suggestions. :) Daycare sounds interesting to me. I am used to being around children as I grew up in a large family. I also did a Leader-in-Training course and a Counsellor-in-Training course at a camp I used to attend. I stayed on after both to volunteer and I loved it. Doing dishes was not a problem for me. Helping with food preparation and cleaning up around the camp was alright with me, too. So was spending time with the campers. I do not have as much experience with the elderly, but I am not closed to the idea of gaining some. I like the idea of being a guide. That sounds really fun, especially if it’s at a place I enjoy. Would I need to know more than English, though? I understand some French, but I am not a great at speaking in French. My pronunciations of French words are worthy of me being a laughingstock. I wish I was better, though. I love that language.
Yes. I think that’s a good idea. How I spend my time definitely leaves a lot to be desired if I want to be viewed as a more productive person who is useful to have around. I may just do that—think up ways in how I can use my time more efficiently to get the things I want done.
@YARNLADY: Thank you for that link. I will check it out.
@figbash Thank you for bringing those things up. They are good points. I do not mind having to pay bills on time. I understand the need to respond to people. That’s important. I also understand that I will need to provide my work in some form to someone. This deadline thing I brought up is about my work. Gallery viewings are okay. I’d also like to say that when I said I am not a fan of deadlines, I didn’t mean that if I don’t have them, I wouldn’t get my work done on time. Without deadlines, I’m actually encouraged to get my work in faster than I would have otherwise because there is less stress involved. Perhaps it would be wise for me to look into ways I can deal with stress I don’t want to handle. If that requires an attitude change, that requires an attitude change. I am open to changing my attitude. I am interested in jobs that help people in some way. I’m also interested in writing.
Thank you for respecting my question. If you don’t want to pour cold water on my question, that’s fine. That’s even respectable. If I need a wake up call, though, I need a wake up call. You’re doing me a favour to warn me about things. :) There’s no need to feel bad about it. ^_^ I also happen to agree that I need to find a way to shift my thinking and master deadlines. The advice I’ve received here from several different people shows that quite clearly. I also agree that being picky is one of my downfalls here. If I keep being this picky, I will most likely not be successful. I can’t just expect some magic job to show up that is everything I want. I have to go out there and do what I have to do to become as successful as I want to, whether I like what I have to do or not.
How can I make sure that I am productive, efficient, and proactive without focusing too much on the deadline to the point that I give up? Do I just do it or are there ways that can help me get into that habit more easily? If so, what are they?
I am not looking to become a millionaire right now. I am okay with starting with something small and working my way up for now.
@wundayatta I understand your surprise. I should have been clearer. When I referred to deadlines in my question, I was thinking about paperwork.I find it easier to do things that have nothing to do with writing without being overly obsessed with perfection. I remember back in High School, I had a teacher who was worried about me and what would happen to me after the Outdoor Ed course I was taking came to a close because he knew I wasn’t the greatest with paperwork and getting it done on time. Outdoor Ed was a great class for me because the Outdoor Ed class I was in didn’t require too much paperwork. It had just the right amount. The paperwork there didn’t overwhelm me like it did in other courses.
@JLeslie Thank you for the suggestions. Being a waitress appeals to me. So does being a flight attendant. I’ve been interested in working in retail, too. One of the only things stopping me is cash, though. I’m scared of working with cash because I’m afraid of messing up there.
I don’t mind having to be on time for work. That’s a reasonable thing to expect. So are the other things you mentioned. I appreciate that you noticed what I missed: me defining exactly what I meant by “deadline”. I was thinking more along the lines of paperwork deadlines. I am not a fan of doing plenty of paperwork with deadlines to meet as it causes me to feel too pressured and stressed out. I like my writing to feel natural and I find it easier to get done when I’m not feeling pushed to finish it as it feels more natural that way.
@Aethelflaed Thanks for those warnings. I needed them.
@wundayatta I understand that if a waiter doesn’t get food to your table in fifteen minutes or less, then they are in serious shit with you. I don’t mind delivering food to people. I’ve served food at a camp I used to go to. I’ve even walked around giving people desserts. Those were fun times. Doing those things didn’t require writing. They required being on my feet and serving people. I like serving people for positive reasons and I loved that camp. I used to be a camper there myself, so I had even more motivation to do a good job. I know what it’s like to have awesome memories at camp and I wanted the same to be true for them, so I did what I could to make sure that they did as well. The campers having an enjoyable meal was very important to me. Getting food to them as fast as possible was a priority. I still hope that every camper who goes there loves it and has positive experiences there. If I ever have children, I would love for them to go there as well.
@Bellatrix I understand.
It looks like I may have to throw my writing dream out the window if I have to deal with all that pressure.
I don’t mind having to stock shelves by certain times, but I might have trouble with a cash register. I’m (mostly) not good with numbers. I’m scared I would mess up.
A job without what I consider too much paperwork is looking more and more appealing to me.
@JLeslie Yes, you’re right. Getting food to a table is alright for me. I don’t mind getting food to a table on time. You are very observant, analytical, and thoughtful. :)
@Sunny2 Thank you for that suggestion, even though you later felt that you didn’t have enough information to answer fully. :) I like that you are the type of person who can handle correction and appreciates clarification. :) The job you suggested is actually one I have been interested in the past, so it is good that you brought it up! ^_^
@JLeslie That sounds pretty strict. It’s understandable, though.
@Jeruba I am okay with answering a phone, as long as I know what I’m going to have to talk about (or can figure it out quite easily) and the people who are calling me speak a language that I can understand and speak myself. Escorting a patient down to surgery is fine, but I may have to know CPR for that. I’ve taken CPR lessons before. While I passed the test and got my certificate (that has since expired), I forgot what I should do if I ever end up having to give it very fast. :(
@ALL Thank you for your very helpful answers. I appreciate them. I am also grateful for the things mentioned in this thread I had not considered. This is pretty long, so I understand if you only read the parts directed at you. ^_^