I think the lack of time for creativity was one of the things that compelled me to significantly reduce my spending to retire a bit early.
I think I have used a number of commitment devices in the past to help me change bad behavior or reinforce good ones. Writing and posting about my artwork is one of them.
Thought provoking blog, Steve. I am looking at ways to commit to writing a book (and trying to get it published). It's not the writing part. It's the "getting it published" part that I'm stuck on and need to commit to. This involves overcoming a lifelong abhorrence for relying on other people to get my creative stuff out there. I've been an independent audio storyteller / writer for years -- making my own stuff. I run my own business. Before that, I wrote my own plays -- and staged them myself. But to publish a book (and not self publish it!) you have to be vulnerable enough to make your work available to people (agents etc) with expertise in the industry, then collaborate with them to get it published. Then you have to be vulnerable again and hope people will buy it -- otherwise you have a stack of dusty unwanted books accusing you of failure. It's scary for me -- which is probably why I have avoided committing to it. Hmmmm... I probably do need a "commitment device!". Maybe something like getting a "submissions buddy" would work -- someone who is also working on a similar task -- so we could remind each other once a week to get off our own asses. I will have to think about this!
I think the lack of time for creativity was one of the things that compelled me to significantly reduce my spending to retire a bit early.
I think I have used a number of commitment devices in the past to help me change bad behavior or reinforce good ones. Writing and posting about my artwork is one of them.
I love hearing this story, Jo!
God yeah. You nailed it. I feel the same right now. Great piece,
🎉🎉🎉
For me, that commitment is comedy :)
I LOVE that you performed last year! Major guts and commitment!
Thought provoking blog, Steve. I am looking at ways to commit to writing a book (and trying to get it published). It's not the writing part. It's the "getting it published" part that I'm stuck on and need to commit to. This involves overcoming a lifelong abhorrence for relying on other people to get my creative stuff out there. I've been an independent audio storyteller / writer for years -- making my own stuff. I run my own business. Before that, I wrote my own plays -- and staged them myself. But to publish a book (and not self publish it!) you have to be vulnerable enough to make your work available to people (agents etc) with expertise in the industry, then collaborate with them to get it published. Then you have to be vulnerable again and hope people will buy it -- otherwise you have a stack of dusty unwanted books accusing you of failure. It's scary for me -- which is probably why I have avoided committing to it. Hmmmm... I probably do need a "commitment device!". Maybe something like getting a "submissions buddy" would work -- someone who is also working on a similar task -- so we could remind each other once a week to get off our own asses. I will have to think about this!
We should definitely talk about this, Jen! I’ve been writing a book for the last year and it’s been an amazing learning experience.