My kids were not interested in sticker charts when they were potty training so I never thought about using chore charts. Until this week. I watched in amazement as they raced around the house completing their chores and competing for the most stars on their charts.
Usually my kids are distracted by playing or reading and have to be threatened reminded to get their chores done. But this week the empty chart did all the talking. What a great way to see at a glance who has done what. (Or done nothing at all!)
“Hmm…” said my writer’s brain. “Since everything relates to writing, what is the lesson here?” Accountability to myself? Uh oh. Not sure if I want that. Since distraction is not as much a problem for me as procrastination is, the chart will reveal all. Just how much work am I really getting done in a week?
I went to DTLK’s cards and printed off a chore chart for myself (free, but there are the usual pop-up windows). You get to pick your theme, then a picture for the top (I chose Spring and a Sun, but you can’t see it in the above photo). You can change the column headings if you don’t like the days of the week, then personalize your rows.
The photo above shows some examples of row titles: Nifty 350 (a reference to James Scott Bell’s tip in his Writer’s Digest article: 10 Disciplines for Fiction Writers. He likes to pound out 350 words first thing in the morning so at the very least he’s got that much done), blog, WIP Edits, Queries, Research, Craft, Marketing. I also added other non-writing related subjects like “exercise” to my chore chart.
Here is my challenge to all you easily distracted/procrastinating writers out there. Make your own Writer’s Chore Chart and keep track of what it is you are really doing. Could be interesting!
7/21/09 Update: Check out one reader’s adaptation of the writer’s chore chart, very cool…Here is Mary Rajotte’s Writer’s Accountability Chart.
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I’m going to do it! I love checking off things. in fact, I can get DISTRACTED creating charts for working, so this quickie is great. Thanks much.
P.S. I’ve been reading each and every RFW post through RSS but can’t respond through them. just know I am connecting!
What a wonderful idea, Shonna. I’m going to try it. I’ve been playing with charts and other motivational tools for years (started with my kids, too), but they get complicated and convoluted and eventually end up not getting used. Let’s see if I can do a simple one. LOL
I TOLD you I couldn’t do simple. LOL I spent my morning writing time creating a chart. There is an image of it under my bio on the About page. (I couldn’t figure any other way to post a picture without another post.) The principle is you must breathe in (do things to refresh your spirit) and breathe out (produce a product) in order to not get burned out as an artist.
Great idea!
I love sticker charts! I created a checkbox chart similar to Shonna’s except that it tracked actual hours and/or words, and I liked that. Then I bought a very colorful calendar and “teacher/student” stickers and started using those. I loved that, too! But it’s all packed now, so I’ll have to find a way to put a star or a smilely face on my computer calendar for the next four months until I have a new place and unpack my charts and calendars! LOL! Great post, Shonna!
P.S. The 10-year-old in me gets more excited the more colorful it all is!
I’m going to have a play with one – if nothing else it’s a great excuse to procrastinate.
I LOVED this idea!!! Thank you so much for sharing!
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