Rewarding Myself

I really, really worried about making my Aug 1 deadline. The books for this publisher are a pretty quick turn around, and I knew going in that I had a busy summer to contend with. But the Lord is gracious and truly multiplied my work in both time and productivity. So much so that I turned the book in four whole days early! 

Meeting a big deadline means rewarding myself for all the times I had to say no or stay up late or put down the compelling novel I wanted to read. Here are a few ways I’m doing that this week.

1. Time with People

When I got my first book contract, I determined not to let myself ignore people in favor of writing. And I believe the Lord has honored that. When I need to see people, I do, and I trust the Lord to make up the time. But there have been many times in the past few weeks that I have had to curtail time with people I love. Making up for that began this week. Time with my parents, my sisters, my granddaughters, my friends. I’ll soak it up in all the various ways it will happen and every moment will be sweeter for having had to limit my time with them while working. 

2. Retail Rewards

The truth is, I started doing this as I saw the finish line in sight, because getting the packages is more exciting than clicking the order button! Nothing over-the-top, just a couple of new workout things, a swimsuit on clearance, some placemats, and pre-ordering some book releases for August. Even a few Christmas gifts to put back. Can’t wait for it all to arrive! 

3. Reading

Not that I haven’t been reading, but when I’m nearing deadline my reading is all at night, and a bit frantic, to be honest. Now I’m looking forward to reading breaks during the day and hopefully getting to some of the titles that have been taunting me in my to read pile!

4. Pool Time

I’m not a huge sit at the pool girl, but on these hot Texas days there is sometimes truly relaxing about being in the water at the community pool or at my sister’s pool while reading or listening to a podcast or chatting with friends. I’m enjoying the opportunity to indulge. 

5. Organizing my House

Whenever I’m in a time crunch, all the drawers and shelves in my house seem to scream at me to be organized. I resisted their siren call, but now that the book is done I will dive into those messy spaces and make them beautiful again. Organizing makes me happy. But living in an organized space makes me even happier. 

6. No Alarm Week

While I hate waking up to an alarm, I do it nearly every day because I know that is the only way I’ll get anything done. But after I meet a big deadline, I always give myself an alarm-free week. I can’t go on too long this way or I’ll want to do it forever, but a few days is bliss, something I really look forward to at the end of a long haul. 

These are my rewards for meeting my deadline. I definitely do this for writing deadlines, but sometimes smaller rewards come into play for finishing other kinds of projects, too. 

What about you? Do you reward yourself for accomplishing or surviving something? Tell us what you reward yourself for and what rewards motivate you to keep going!

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D'Ann Mateer

Inspired by novelist Eugenia Price, D’Ann’s dream of writing historical fiction with an element of faith began in middle school, though her serious drive toward publication took a bit longer. D’Ann is the author of four historical novels and one novella, as well as a contemporary short stories in a compilation volume. D’Ann and her husband of 30 years can be found in Austin, TX when they aren’t touring historic sites or visiting their grown children.

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