Mastering Focus
Writing September 18th, 2006Part of the reason I started this blog was to note the patterns in my life and the obstacles in those patterns that keep me from writing. Since April I’ve noticed many patterns and have even been able to use some of them to my benefit in getting writing done–as long as I stick to the “Writing Rules” that I’ve given myself.
One of the obstacles that I’m still having trouble with is my tendancy to do too much. A lot of us artist types are interested in just about everything. For example, I like to draw. I like to paint. I like to build things. I write music. I play the guitar. I love languages. I love to read.
I’m just naming a few things. I mean, I’d love to learn how to do metalurgy and fix cars and write screenplays. I’d love to create a podcast for the website and a webtoon and a webcomic, among other things.
There’s not enough time to be a jack-of-all-trades. The addage holds true: “Jack of All Trades; Master of None.” I’m proof of that.
But I’m trying to rein myself in and focus. I took my guitars and amps home to Idaho this weekend to store in my parents’ basement. I gave back the German books I borrowed from my brother. And I’m trying to get all my outside art projects taken care of so that I can spend more time on what I want most: to write.
These other things all have feelings of accomplishment linked with finishing related projects. But writing is what I love. The moments I get to spend working on my book are like breaths of fresh air in a world otherwise polluted.
Regardless of what I’ve been doing to trim unnecessary things out of my life, one fact still remains.
I still feel overloaded. I’ve got to learn how to say, “No!” And not a wimpy no, but an emphatic NO! that carries with it the unspoken message, “If you ask me again I’ll your hair on fire.”
So lately I’ve been going full steam to get these outside projects out of the way so that when I get home, I can write instead of worry about deadlines for projects I’ve promised to help people with.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind helping people out.
But it’s time to help myself out and get that book done and then send it out and write another book.
I’m going to accept the occassional project. But writing is my priority.
September 19th, 2006 at 9:11 am
I’ve been going through the exact same crisis (last night in particular). My big problem is deciding what I want to do most and then having the hutzpah to get rid of the other stuff. I like all those other little distractions too darn much. Unfortunately I try and do two or three of them at once and don’t do any of them justice. However, reading your blog has given me hope that I can sort out all the things in my life and do what I want to do most….whatever that is.
September 19th, 2006 at 1:46 pm
I have the problem of focusing on one thing let alone many. good luck on your focus. May I suggest some ritalin?(Just kidding)
September 19th, 2006 at 7:45 pm
What about the yurts–have you given up on them, too? I hope not. That would be a violation of your inner, truest self.
Me, I don’t have any distractions that need overcoming. I just need to figure out a way to play video games and write at the same time, that’s all.
September 20th, 2006 at 11:13 am
I haven’t given up on yurts. The writing yurt is essential to the business. It’s a place where one can relax and write without thinking about things like, “Why am I living in a square house when I can be living in a round one?”