5 responses so far ↓

• 1 Kim Apr 25, 2007

  Yes! A few years ago, I had this idea that I had to write an article about teen magazines for girls. Even though I didn’t have a specific idea in mind, I spent weeks reading them and thinking of different ways to write about them. Eventually I had to admit that I had no concept that really justified an article, even though I’d probably spent a hundred hours working on it — so frustrating, but I guess a valuable lesson. Actually, what helped me feel better about it was thinking about the time as practice; I was practicing doing research and thinking about writing, even though no actual project resulted.

• 2 Lisa Lamoreaux Apr 25, 2007

  These are the EXACT questions I ask myself right now as I traverse the terain of living true to my nature. As an artist “dejour”, I battle with which creative ideas to bring to fruition when I feel energized and passionate about them all.

  When is it time to birth the next project when you feel your attention moving? How do you know when it is time to let a current project fly unattended? What does boredom mean for me? Why do I feel such anxiety, anger, and petulance about putting new ideas on hold?

  For me, the last two questions come down to fear – fear that I’ve missed an opportunity, and fear that the idea was “the one” that was going to make me rich, happy, peaceful, content, etc. All this mental gymnastics is surely an excuse I can use later for not being rich, happy, peaceful, and content.!

  So, I think that as long as we simply ask the questions, we will stay “awake” long enough to be led by our truth to right action. In my quest to leave perfectionism behind, I try to remember that there are no mistakes! I am learning this right now as I head back into the painting studio after six months nurturing (and fighting with) a creative endeavor that I now know can “fly on it’s own” without me in the hands of others that will champion it better than I….and I can’t wait to paint!

  Cheers,
  Lisa
  http://www.lisalamoreaux.com

• 3 Vikki Apr 25, 2007

  Oh, how I can relate to this. I have alway been a great ‘starter’ but not necessarily a great finisher. I discovered a few years ago that my interest was really in how things worked, how they were put together, not how they operated on a continous basis. In my life I have learned how to soooo many things, but am I still doing them? No. Once I learn how to mosaic I’m fine. I know the process and I’m satisfied, but to go ahead and make the beautiful water fountain I originally envisioned, never gonna happen. Now that I’m 58 I think a lot about how I’m going to be spending the next 10-15 years of my life. I’ve always seen myself gradually increasing the time I spent on creative endeavors as I decreased the amount of hours I worked for someone else. But if I don’t turn one of these projects into something more, my livelihood will be non-existent.

• 4 Tuxlux Apr 25, 2007

  Wow, so many questions that I don’t usually ask myself. My projects are sulking in cardboard boxes in my new studio.

  I finally bought a house with studio space and the art supplies are still on the list of things to unpack.

  I don’t think of those projects as needing energy from me…but they give energy to me when I give them attention and focus. It’s like me going swimming in a wonderful watering hole.

  Perhaps tonight I will have enough energy to begin arranging the art studio. Perhaps your questions are enough to send me there…looking for cool water.

• 5 Lorrie Apr 25, 2007

  I also feel fragmented trying to keep up with all my exciting ideas and opportunities. I encourage you, Jennifer, to send some review copies out even if you’ve done it already.

  If people talk about it in their blog or on their sites, it keeps the energy going.

  I have someone cleaning for me today and that forced me to leave some space in this afternoon that is not booked with clients and I can sit here without guilt because my mind doesn’t need to be in the kitchen cleaning even while my body is here.

  Now, I need to limit my emails and book out time for each project. Prioritize, as everyone says.

  I started writing the Artist’s Way morning pages again so I could better focus on what matters to me.

  Letting go of perfectionism and asking the higher power to speak through me, listing three things I want to have done for the day, and letting this be a fragment rather than a well-articulated sentence so I can move back to writing about Jung in Ireland, which is what I’m working on now.

  Just having a few days break from it actually allowed me to be a better editor for it, though I couldn’t see that during the last few days.

  The organizer told me to take an hour on Sunday and schedule the writing time into my week. I’m trying to finish one before I skip to the next.

  Lorrie
  http://www.ilovemypsychic.com