Mode switching is huge. Two retired people live in my house ... and it's small. There are times when we are both working ... and times when one is puttering, which invites interruptions and potential cranky/hurt feelings. I love it when we are in sync, each in our own spaces. Then I can really concentrate. Or being home alone.
To get started I often do that light desk cleaning and clean out my emails, trying hard not to get too caught up in the shiny subject lines. A writing mentor I know does a one or two minute meditation. That works when I am in a project.
The hard part for me is where I'm at now ... between projects. I finished a difficult post in early November just before our trip to Japan. Now I have a list of topics in need of sorting and finding the "story" and then the lede. There are about 10 possibilities on my list and some other obligations. I chose this path ... but ARGH! I need to switch modes and focus.
It is the same for me - when engrossed in a project, it's much easier to settle in. The phase of the process you are in naturally has a lot of possibilities.
I use coffee to help me focus. Not the caffeine, but the signal to myself that when I bring a cup into my studio, it's time to bring my attention in.
This is great. I’m working on two main projects next year. One is production mode for publication. The other is in exploration and creation mode for myself and sharing with family. I’m fortunate to be mostly retired now so I don’t have to switch from day job or parenting mode to art mode. But it’s always good to have a way to shift between different parts of life with attention and clarity. Thanks for the reminder.
Mode switching is huge. Two retired people live in my house ... and it's small. There are times when we are both working ... and times when one is puttering, which invites interruptions and potential cranky/hurt feelings. I love it when we are in sync, each in our own spaces. Then I can really concentrate. Or being home alone.
To get started I often do that light desk cleaning and clean out my emails, trying hard not to get too caught up in the shiny subject lines. A writing mentor I know does a one or two minute meditation. That works when I am in a project.
The hard part for me is where I'm at now ... between projects. I finished a difficult post in early November just before our trip to Japan. Now I have a list of topics in need of sorting and finding the "story" and then the lede. There are about 10 possibilities on my list and some other obligations. I chose this path ... but ARGH! I need to switch modes and focus.
It is the same for me - when engrossed in a project, it's much easier to settle in. The phase of the process you are in naturally has a lot of possibilities.
I use coffee to help me focus. Not the caffeine, but the signal to myself that when I bring a cup into my studio, it's time to bring my attention in.
Good luck narrowing down all those possibilities!
It's going to take a few days as there are some other things on the calendar. I'd love to just settle in and get it done.
This is great. I’m working on two main projects next year. One is production mode for publication. The other is in exploration and creation mode for myself and sharing with family. I’m fortunate to be mostly retired now so I don’t have to switch from day job or parenting mode to art mode. But it’s always good to have a way to shift between different parts of life with attention and clarity. Thanks for the reminder.