I get embarrassed whenever my friends say I am a man of ideas: because I am neither a genius, nor was I a gifted child.
However, I understand where they’re coming from. Whenever I watch shows, read stuff, interact with people or simply observe the world, at least one idea pops up in my head like a light bulb that you see in the cartoons. In short, ideas keep on coming.
Because of that, I needed an outlet. And writing seems to be the perfect choice. I carry a notebook and a pen. I scurry to them as soon as ideas come, wanting to express them in writing. Not wanting to forget a thing.
I still forget, though. So I needed a tool that works fast. The next thing I knew, this blog was born.
However, the ideas that I want to write and finish are too much for my tools. I wanted to finish all of them at the same time, but that is impossible. Sometimes I catch myself switching from one post to another. Not to mention the distractions that surround me.
As a result, I don’t finish anything. I took a quick glance at my blog’s control panel and here’s what I saw: 10 drafts – posts that I had started but remained unfinished. Some of the posts are finished and only need polishing. Some I still intend to complete and publish in due time. I actually have more drafts but let’s keep it simple. 10 drafts.
At first I thought I was just uninspired. But I immediately nixed the thought because if that was true, how come in my mind, those posts are already done? I knew what to write, I have them completed in my mind. But I couldn’t channel them through my fingers because they couldn’t keep up.
Suddenly, I realized, it isn’t my fingers. It’s my lack of focus. Focus is what separates unrealized ideas from successful posts. Do I want this post to end up as the 11th draft in my control panel?
I do not. So I finished this entry - not because I was pressured - but because I liked to and I wanted to; It is my joy to share and express my thoughts. Therefore, I have to will myself to success.
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And as usual, you’ve done a great job with making your point too! Very good post! (And don’t stay away from posting so long!!!)
Can you share all that inspiration? Is it contagious? I need some.
I am more focused in that I shut everything out when I have something to do, forgetting to eat, hanging on before I really have to visit the bathroom, barely remembering I have a husband and I keep at it until finished. That is not quite the right way either.
Jeni tagged me for a Book Meme and this one is a little more interesting and easy to do if you are so inclined.
Very true on this post. I’m also in a similar situation with quite a few posts on different projects unfinished. But I feel like I’ve only got two modes - overfocused or underfocused. I need balance lol. Thanks for a great post.
Thanks so much for participating in The Seventh Day blog carnival On the Horizon! This post is a wonderful contribution to this week’s carnival.
I hope that you will stop by and check out the other great submissions this week — and participate again in the future.
Blessings,
Hopeful Spirit
On the Horizon
I have a similar experience with other projects. I have discovered that thinking about them is a misery; doing them, a joy. When I finish, I tell nobody but savor the joy for a while. When I’m ready I open myself to feedback.
Thanks for sharing this. God bless.
I’m here via The Seventh Day.
I swear that we are brothers with two different mothers! We have so many of the same traits; it’s crazy! And you must be a Capricorn…LOL. The way I see it bro, the more ideas you have, the less likely you are to be boring. We have to love our gift of over-creativity, because let’s face it, some people really just suck at it.
Lack of focus can certainly be a problem, but it’s only a problem if you want it to be.
As it sits, I currently have about 10 posts that are partially written on my PDA, another five essays that are waiting for a second reading before submission to a national newspaper, two short works of fiction I promised myself I’d finish before summer, and this comment … which I’m ignoring my RSS feeds to write
Sometimes we can have a great idea, but lack the appropriate lexicon to put those thoughts into coherent sentences, paragraphs and posts. Several of the worlds’ greatests authors and journalists have dozens of partially finished works that are always cooking at the back of someone’s mind, but not quite ready for prime time.
My advice, should you wish to read it, is to not worry too much about the number of unfinished posts or lack of focus (unless it’s causing problems when driving or in relationships). Instead, concentrate on what you enjoy most about writing … the thoughts
There are two types of people doers and sayers. It feels great to be able to do something that you think about. Great post, keep it up.
saedel…where have you been bro!?
Hey, that’s a great way to be. I beleive writing to be 90% dross, 10% gold- so it follows 90% of your drafts will remain dross, even with a polish, editing, and another polish, you have to know, as Kenny Rogers said, when to fold em, when to fold em, when to walk away and when to run. be proud of the drafts you never send out, they’re a mark of your pride in quality.
has anyone filed a missing person for saedel? *LOL*…hope all is fine.
Saedel is probably just busy with money making online projects. We do hope to see you back and posting again soon though
Interesting topic. Focus is choice. What do we choose to focus on? Sometimes we have to choose to focus on by what we want to accomplish, by what our goals are, rather than what comes up. Remember the 80/20 rule(Pareto Principle). 80% of your results come from 20% of your activity. We also have to remember that all work and no play makes Jack(or Jill) a dull boy. For me, the goal is to focus on doing what I need to do, so I have more time to do what I want to do.
Thanks, Tom, (TRCoach)
I get a lot of ideas as well, to the point it overwhelms me and I get a scattered feeling. I then have trouble getting the things going because of all the pulls in various directions.
I will definitely add your blog to my favorites. Really nice blog with quality discussion, I enjoy reading it. Just keep up the good work.
This is an excellent post. thanks a lot!
This is a great post. I think it is great to go out there and get what we want.
My set back has not been focus, more of analysis paralysis, basically looking into everything, knowing everything, but not doing everything. The last two years have been a wild ride as I just DO now, its great, I went to africa for 6 months, did some cage fighting, learned how to paint, and got married. Before I just would have thought about it and pretty much just lived the experience in my head.
Doingness is the creme de la creme of life for me now
Great post. It reminds me of a quote “There’s nothing quite like being sure of what’s inside your heart” It’s so true. Hope to see you back soon.
I’m a writer by hobby and can completely relate to what you are saying. Thanks for your post! Will be frequenting your blog from now on.
Nice post. I can relate even though I am not a writer like you. But so happy to know that you area writer.
You, probably, the talented person, but, seems. Little bit vain. You have written to yourselves a laudatory ode. Achieve greater success and people will tell, what you.
I also have too many ideas floating around in my head and need outlets for them. But just realized I’m now spending my time writing on someone else’s blog instead of my own! See ya-
I can relate, sometimes the ideas just overwhelm me , a legal pad and pen, think legal pad and pen, then just check em off
You are so adorable and very talented person. I can easily relate too.
I can relate…sometimes I have a lot of trouble writing my thoughts, but I think you have some good ideas here.
I write for my site, http://www.dogsymptoms.org , and I am forever correcting myself. I completely agree with your post.
dude i feel you, i have a million ideas and a million projects, if only i could afford to hire a few assistants to follow me around and as i have a brilliant world changing idea to go run off and implement it….aaahhhhh that would be the life
I will definitely add your blog to my favorites. Really nice blog with quality discussion, I enjoy reading it. Just keep up the good work.