Ever heard of Murphy’s Law? It is an adage or epigram that is typically stated as: Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
My Irish family used it for pile-ons, like everything needs care at once, or too many events at once, or even everyone ill at once.
Beating Deadlines often fall under Murphy’s Law and I’ve discovered a Clumping Agreement under it. The Clumping Agreement gives power to multiple deadlines within one day, one week, or one month.
Murphy’s Law draws clumps of issues like a magnet. “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” My internet crashes, the guideline instructions disappear, the website for my submission freezes, etc. Technical tools used for support such as my laptop downloads and drags or my printer runs out of ink or paper.
A favorite childhood lesson taught to me by my parents is–“Learn from your mistakes and nothing is wasted.” Not only is this gracious and creates forgiveness, it teaches a valuable and useful attitude for application.
What have I learned regarding Beating Deadlines?
Don’t over commit my time to too many projects. I see all of these exciting contests, calls for publications, workshops, conferences, the list goes on. My time constraints aren’t so pressured if I restrain my eagerness.
Be ready to submit my work at least three days ahead. This allows space for any calendar challenges, technical issues, and time to resubmit if need be. All of these things creates less stress and more enjoyment when plying my trades of writing and illustrating.
E.V. Sparrow 