It’s always amazing how fast time flies

when you are doing what you love.

I set aside a day this week

to get things done,

and while I was pleased with what I accomplished,

I didn’t get anywhere close to achieving my goals.

It wasn’t for lack of trying,

or because I as distracted by Facebook

(although I confess, I did check it, once or twice)

It was because the one major project

I need to accomplish simply takes longer

than I remembered it would.

I’m knee deep into edits on my fifth book,

and hoped I’d finish today.

But as these things so often go,

the weekend,

which I’d mentally decided was going to allow me

to get halfway through edits

turned into one which

based around family and fun instead.

So I put aside my work and lived,

enjoying the sunshine and the beach,

but falling a little behind in my goals.

It reminded me of the principle,

“work expands to fill the time

available for its completion”

A statement that I know to be utterly correct.

My only deadlines now are self imposed,

and probably ridiculous,

but I need them to stay on track.

I remember not being able to get my work done

with every evening free in university,

until suddenly I had a full time job.

Not much has changed now,

twenty years later.

People ask sometimes

how I get so many things done and I shrug.

I know that I have to pack my days

or I wouldn’t accomplish anything at all.

Life is short, so I set goals.

After all,

life expands to fill the time available

for living.

So enjoy the sun,

But set some goals for a rainy day.