I sort of had a very busy year in 2007. You might have read me whining about it somewhere. I don’t mean to whine, it just happens. And I know that I’m my own worst enemy but I’m starting this year fresh with a positive attitude and lofty goals. Both in writing and for life in general.

But one week in and I’m already worried. This weekend, I was elected conference chair for my local RWA chapter. That means I am the top-dog, chick-in-charge of putting together our writing conference in November. The good news is, I have a co-chair and we are teaming with another chapter about 90 minutes away so I’m not completely alone in this. Delegate, delegate, delegate is my new motto. *g*

But I’m a planner and my instinct is to look ahead and see how things can fall into place. In my juggling act, I have these little balls I have to keep in the air and they all have something written on them. Work (so we can have a home and eat), college (so we can have a better home and eat better), single-momhood (because my life would be meaningless without her), writing (because these voices would drive me crazy if I tried to shut them up), planning my company’s year end holiday party (because I have to) and now planning a large annual writers conference (because I’m an idiot and glutton for punishment). Let’s not forget my blogging duties upon this ship. But that’s a true labor of love so we’ll let it slide.

Here’s the thing – I’m looking forward to all of this. Ok, not so much the school stuff but it’s a means to an end and I’m not about to quit now. But everything else, I’m ready to dive right in. I know, I’m crazy.

What I’ve learned about myself is if I’m not doing at least two or three things at one time, I’m not happy. Other than writing, sleeping and driving, there are very few times I do only one thing exclusively. Even when I’m driving, I’m usually making calls or listening to an audio book. I seem to plot while I’m trying to sleep so even then I’m multi-tasking. Writing is my only escape and without the pressure of everything else, I might not find the enjoyment in it that I do.

I used to think all this multi-tasking might be doing more harm than good but now I’ve changed my mind. I’m a born procrastinator and having to get so much done is the only way I would get anything done. And I still manage to slack. Seriously, you should see my house. On second thought, no you shouldn’t.

I was talking on the phone this weekend with a writer friend and the subject of Nora Roberts came up. My friend said, “Wouldn’t it be great to get up everyday and have nothing to do but write?” Let me note here I KNOW Nora does much more than write but hang with me. At first I thought, sure. But the more I think about it, the more I think I would hate it. And I don’t mean I’d hate just writing, I’d hate doing anything if it was all I did. I guess I need the chaos to feel in control. Does that make sense?

How about you? Do you thrive on chaos or do you need calm? Do you have my problem of taking on more than you probably should or are you to the point where saying no comes as naturally as breathing? And if you’ve mastered the word “no”, can you let me know how you did it?

Aside: In my defense, they tried to elect me conference chair and publicity coordinator and I told them I could not do both. That’s progress right there. LOL!