When we complete a project, we want to feel something. The hope is that we feel good— even if this state is fleeting. But we cannot remain in this elated state for too long. Productivity requires tempering the joy of completion.
When an artist completes a piece of work, there may be the opportunity to showcase this artwork, give a reading, or tour. Whatever the case may be, it’s important that this period of showcasing your completed work does not distract you for too long from moving on to the next project.
The act of completion is a good time to take a breath. Let yourself recover. What’s done is done. What’s old is past. What’s next is the road to becoming your future self.
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Small Victories: Part 1
Small Victories: Part 2
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What you’ve written here makes me reflect. Very recently I put the question, When is something good going to happen to me? into a poem. It’s a question that came to mind long before I wrote the poem. But as I was reading poem just now, I thought, Something good is happening to me. I think of that in relation to projects.
I find that I go through a process of learn, explore, create like crazy, take a step back and catch my breath. Then start over again. Except continuing with what I have learned from before and adding to it. But I do have those times in between. Just to gather and be in the world. Look around and not read everything just to learn something. Learn something from what I'm engaging with has to offer. It's a work/life balance I guess :)