The only time you should stop when you’re almost finished.
I want to share an idea with creative people who find themselves working — really “in the zone” — when there is something (or someone) else to attend to. We’ve all been there: it’s getting late, you know you have to stop. You know you have a big day tomorrow, but if you can just finish up this one little thing…
Well, here’s an idea that I read about in an interview with an artist some time ago. I can’t remember the artist’s name, but this practice is great…See if you can relate.
Many days I very find myself in the position of being deeply into a writing job, or researching something, when the clock or a more vocal timekeeper (a.k.a. a kid) alerts me that it’s time to call it a day. Of course it’s always when I’m really INTO something, and my first instinct is to say, “I’m right in the middle of this; one more page…just let me finish this one thought, etc.” and I’ll hang it up. But of course I’m weasling a way to actually finish more than just a thought. I want to get to a stopping point where I can let my mind rest. I want to get through the calls on my list. Or I want to finish the book. (Pretty cushy job, huh?)
But here’s the counter-intuitive, and extremely productive alternative: DO leave something in late-draft. I call it “almost done mode.” Just walk away from it, especially before sleeping for the night, and you will find the next day’s work much easier to begin. You have to try this once or twice to believe it’s true, but if you can pull yourself away from engaging work while you still have creative ideas, and great thoughts all wrapped up in it…
(going to bed now)…
…(10 hours later) the flow of creative energy comes back stronger and earlier in the day than if you had finished up the previous night’s little piece neatly packaged and complete. When you pick up in the middle of something, the pull of the work creates momentum that carries you further throughout the following day.
I find this keeps creativity on two wheels, sort of in mid careen, so that the next day it’s not so difficult to get going again. Delayed gratification of finishing a thing keeps your creative edge a little sharper, and if all you have to do is finish one small part, it’s all downhill from there, right? Pretty great way to start the day.
The added benefit? You get the sleep you need; the family gets to spend a little time with you; a friend receives the phone call you never made over the holidays; you make time to work out; you do whatever it is that keeps you balanced. AND you finish the previous day’s project with a new and refreshed outlook. Win-win.
Well, that’s my little trick for busy people who try to squeeze everything into each day. This “almost done” (go do something else) methodology is one of the tricks I use to keep telling myself I really CAN have it all. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Now on to the next item.
Flickr Photo: “Leaving Work Behind” by timopfahl
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