Focus

Choosing Projects You Can Finish

We talked about overall focus in the focus management section. How to choose specific projects? What makes it easier to commit? 

Say you know you want to make art or write. You feel committed. Yet you still sit on the sidelines, wondering where to start. Go back to the list you made at the beginning of things you want. From that list, pick a project. Give yourself something specific to work on. It doesn’t have to be the biggest thing on your list. Maybe write a book is a big, daunting project. The bigger it is, the more courage it will take. 

Even if you're just a beginner, find a structure or project to focus on from start to finish. One completed project will teach you a lot about your medium, about yourself, and about your ideal circumstances for creating. 

There are many ways to design focus and structure for your making. For many of us, an external force like a workshop, group, or contest helps us to choose. 

Time constraints are convenient. Choose a period of time, like the 100-day project. Do something for 100 days straight. Or 30 days. Or 23 days. Stick with whatever you have committed to as it will show you how to overcome the inevitable boredom, dissatisfaction, and distractions that will pounce on you once you commit. 

A container can help. Perhaps you have a sketchbook. Years ago, in Paris, I discovered the Japanese Album by Moleskine. I challenged myself to fill it in a week. Doing this drove me past indecision and overthinking and into an intuitive approach that I still use today. Both a time constraint and the container gave me a focus. 

A project container gives extra focus. I like to have a notebook for my major projects. I use an author notebook (Hahnumühle Diary Flex) for all my notes and ideas just for the novel. 

A project itself. This could be body of work or a series of art pieces. Or a book. A collection of stories, essays, comics or poems would give you a structure. 

Choose one project at a time and commit to it all the way through. Know what’s compelling about sticking with this project. If you have other projects or side art going too, make sure you know which is your main priority, and that you act according to that priority. 

INVITATION 

This is one of my favorite exercises, and it’s in my first book, Create Your Writer’s Life.  It doesn’t take long, and it will be clear which projects want to be done sooner rather than later. 

Step One

At the top of a page or document, write: Ten Things I Want to Write (or Make). 

These can be specific or broad. Examples: 

1. Letter from Love 

2. Honest and impactful personal essays

3. A hit pop song

4. A bestselling novel 

Step Two 

Read over the list. Develop an icon like a star or a heart or a tick mark. 

Put a mark next to the things you want to write in the next year. 

Now put a mark next to all the things you want to write in the next six months. 

Now put a mark next to all the things you want to write in the next three months. 

Now put a mark next to all the things you want to write in the next month. 

Step Three

Review your list. See which items have the most marks. The items with the most marks are the ones that feel the most urgent for you. What do you notice? 

Step Four

Set a timer for 10 minutes. Do a reflective writing about the project that rose to the surface. Use the prompt: 

I must write this now because…

Affirmation: I can easily choose and prioritize one project. 

In the comments: What came up for you while doing this invitation?