Broken chains.
July 27th, 2012
Yesterday I made a mistake and didn’t work on the novel I’m drafting. That went against Jerry Seinfeld’s wise advice to artists: “Don’t break the chain.”
I’ll get over it, but I don’t want to be too quick to say “Ah, it’s okay — I’m really busy” and move on. In my experience, it’s the breaking of chains of work that leads to so many problems for creators who have to balance the process of creation with a job, family, and other responsibilities.
Artists of all sorts need continuity in their creative work so that it can flow. They need many links in the chain to produce meaningful art. That challenge is magnified when much of the day is claimed by the job that pays the bills or family duties.
There are other chains that deserve continuity. Some examples:
- Taking care of your health.
- Connecting with your loved ones.
- Good housekeeping to keep your life in order.
- Enough rest.
- Quiet time for yourself.
But we can only keep so many chains going, because doing that requires focus and concentration — traits that can be strengthened, but that always hit a limit at some point.
My advice to myself, and to you: Choose just a few chains that you will forge daily, and then forge them diligently. Don’t let the sun go down without having added a link. Do that work first, whenever possible, or carve out some sacred time of the day when only that work has your attention. Let other things fall by the wayside, when need be . . . but don’t break those chains.
Today I start a new chain of work on my novel. What chain are you making?
July 27th, 2012 at 7:43 am
It’s like saving money: When we eat at the Thai place, I always order water, then go across the parking lot to McDonald’s and order a large unsweetened tea for a dollar…then I put some of the change into the McDonald House charity box. I rarely ever deviate from this practice. Not only have I saved at the restaurant, I’ve drunk my water, and given to charity all in one trip.
No matter where I eat lunch, I nearly always pass on the drink, have water, and go Mac’s and repeat the process! We have those little rituals in our lives which make us feel pampered. It’s surprising what a $1 tea can do for my spirits!