Sunday, April 10, 2011

An experiment in productivity

I've written about trying to make better use of my free time for sewing but I've never found the "trick."  Truth is, I'm lazy when it comes to free time.  I'm an efficient, organized person at work and a complete mess at home.  Tilly had a neat idea to compile a list of our productivity pitfalls.  I'm going to participate by airing all my dirty laundry for the next 2 weeks.  Of course, now that I'm logging how I spend my time, I'm sure I'll clean up my act a little bit (kinda like dieters who eat better when they keep a diary).  Maybe that is my trick, keep a log.  Here goes....



  • How many hours per day/week do you sew?
Ummm, none in 2 weeks.  Does reading about sewing count?
  • What are you spending/wasting the rest of your free time on?
Computer and books, mostly.  A group of ladies and I just started the Chattanooga chapter of the American Sewing Guild and I was coerced into being the president.  I've been making a lot of arrangements for this group.  I also have been reading about starting my own sewing business and researching ideas and resources for that.
  • When you do sew, how do you feel before, during and afterwards?
I don't recall how I feel before I sew but I definitely feel energized when I sew, like I have a very important task to complete.  As I get close to finishing, I can hardly sit still in my chair because I'm excited to finish a project.  Afterwards, I feel like I've accomplished something and I admire my work proudly.  I probably spend a bit too much time admiring it.
  • What factors are you aware of that impact upon when you make time to sew?
Somehow I found time to sew a few weeks ago when DH was expecting me to finish some curtains so he could hang them up over the weekend.  I think deadlines help; not wanting to let someone else down.  When DH comes home in the evening, I prefer not to sew because I see so little of him.  I should sew on Saturday and Sunday mornings because he sleeps in and I get up rather early.  Like right now, I'm blogging and generally goofing off on the internet instead of sewing.
  • What are you learning about sewing productivity from this process, if anything? What tips can you share?
Do, don't think.  I'm a thinker.  I spend way more time thinking about stuff I want to do than actually doing them.  I'm also highly motivated by people's expectations.  I don't ever want to let someone down so I will work like mad to get something done on time.  Somehow my personal deadlines aren't nearly as important to me.

2 comments:

  1. Julie,

    Glad you've moved to Chatt. from Memphis and had the push to start the new ASG chapter, I am old enough to be your mother, have a child, but don't quilt. I sew and of course read more sewing related patterns, articles, sewing blogs and groups, and buy sewing books. But to me, all of that is considered "sewing."

    Again, thank you for taking the help in our local organization. I will look forward to meeting you .

    Good luck in your job search. I want to hear more about your chosen field of experience and education.

    Karendee from SG

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looking forward to meeting you too!

    ReplyDelete

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