Elizabeth's Biztalk posts

Beating pressure and procrastination...ugh!

For most of my life, I've been great at getting things done at the last minute. I would skip studying and just skim through the chapter right before acing a test. I'd boast about how I work so much better under pressure, and that starting earlier on a project was really just a waste of my time.

However, after I suffered some serious health problems for a year or two and had to take copious amounts of prescription drugs and painkillers; well, though I've mostly recovered, pressure is no longer a productive place for me to be.

So, I've been consistently facing a new problem: how to stay relaxed and give myself plenty of time on a project, while overcoming my tendency to let it sit until the last minute and end up stressing out all night until it's done.

Please note that I'm writing this around 3:15am, and stressing out all night about an article due to my editor by morning. Granted, in this particular case, I'd had a very small window and already knew there would be plenty of pressure (writing an article about the Seattle Erotic Art Festival Gala that took place Saturday until 2am Sunday; left from working the event around 3:30am and returned a few hours later; didn't get home from breaking down the event and meeting with artists to return unsold work until late Sunday evening...and I'm still recovering! ;-). Still, in the end, it will take me only about an hour to write the article that I'm doing everything I can to avoid writing RIGHT NOW...or 10 hours ago, for that matter.

I've made a lot of changes in my life lately to reduce stress, live healthier and more consciously. And yet, with nearly every deadline, no matter my good intentions, the closer I get to the due date, the less likely you'll find me working on the project until I have no other choice...and by then, the quality of my work, while still great, will never be as fabulous as it would be if I'd just sit down and get it written to begin with.

Help?

Kisses, Ms. Scarlett ;-)

Sharing personal beliefs in business...?

How do you feel about sharing who you are through your business, with your clients?

By this, I mean religion, sexual preference, hobbies, family, tastes, etc.

Do you feel that sharing about yourself helps your clients to become more familiar with you as a person and friend? Or do you think that business is business and personal information should be kept separate?

Kisses, Ms. Scarlett

What made you do it?

I hear people talking about wanting to be their own boss all the time, but most of them never get around to it.

What was it that made you decide to go out on your own? Was it an event? An evil boss?

What was it that inspired you?

Kisses, Ms. Scarlett

Flooring in Kitsap County?

I'm planning to have my kitchen floor replaced and wonder if there are any recommendations for who to go to in Kitsap County. I live in Bremerton.

Kisses, Elizabeth Scarlett

Disability insurance?

Seems like disability insurance is unavailable to new independent business owners, until they can prove a year's worth of income.

My husband was laid off from Washington Mutual last month (we knew it was coming for awhile) and using the severance to get his own business running.

Has anyone else come across this problem? His business, financial analyst, is likely to be something that has a fluctuating income that may be difficult to prove as steady. With a two year old daughter and a college student wife to support, he's concerned. If worse comes to worse...I could always support us. But it would be nice to have that back up...

Any thoughts?

Kisses, Elizabeth Scarlett

New website - honest feedback wanted!

I just published my first website and would really appreciate some honest feedback.

If anybody has a few minutes to look and give me your thoughts, I'd be grateful! And I prefer directness...don't worry about hurting my feelings! ;-)

www.polypositivity.net

Kisses, Ms. Scarlett

Ride to ferry after 'Marketing Mistakes' tonight?

I would love a ride to the ferry terminal tonight after the Top Ten Marketing Mistakes class on Capitol Hill. Will mean one less taxi fare and I'd be grateful!

Kisses, Ms. Scarlett