Draw a line on any map or sailing chart and you know the road is not straight. In sailing that means playing the wind. When you look back over your course, it appears a perfect zigzag. Hopefully that zigzag is moving you forward in good time.
When in a car, there are all sorts of obstacles the road must avoid. Have you ever driven in the mountains where the road is a razor switch back, or goes round and round to the top?
The point is that if these paths didn’t take these courses, you’d have a hard time getting to the top.
Life isn’t much different. I talk a lot about goals and plans, but sometimes I have a really hard time defining the action steps.
Do you find yourself in the middle of a project and have no idea what’s next?
Me too.
I have recently discovered something my subconscious mind must have known all the time. I’m guessing your mind has it figured out as well. But I’m here to state the obvious.
We need procrastination. Yep, procrastination is our friend.
But, don’t get too comfortable with the idea. What I’m really saying is we need breaks, short respites from the project at hand.
Remember that hurricane sweater I started in August? I finally reached the section of a technique I hadn’t done before. Entrelac and Intarsia all at once. For those who don’t have a clue what that means, have no fear, it’s not important. The whole thing could have caused much consternation, but I had a goal, a mission, a challenge. This was a new hurdle I needed to climb.
Here’s where recognition came into play, I realized I needed to walk away from it for a time. I needed to do something different before I made a mess of so much hard work. I didn’t really have a clue what was next. I’m on a sailboat without a handy network of support, my favorite knitting stores are behind me now. My only recourse was to step away, come back awhile later, rip it out and start again.
Five times I struggled through the same 16 rows, four times I was willing to rip it out and try again. But, only after I had walked away did I come back calmly with a new idea to try, or a YouTube video to watch or an online resource to tap into.
The captain knows when I’m writing my best stuff. Why? Because I get up and pace. Yep, I pace. I walk away for a short time, a respite, pick up the cabin, take a look outside, put the dishes away, etc. I guess, my course can be described as a zigzag line. Not much different than playing the wind.
I’ve reduced my stress over the road I’m traveling and the unknown territory it will take me. I know if I give my active brain a rest, my subconscious mind will be unleashed to change course and complete the project.
Have you given procrastination its due course? Do you use it to your advantage, or as an excuse? There’s a difference. Do tell. In this time of preparation, we all might need a bit of procrastination.
Creative procrastination. I’m all for it. I do some of my best thinking about 10 min before I fall asleep, while driving or reading another book. When I let my mind wander a bit, it tends to work out solutions all on it’s own!
Beautiful looking sweater Nancy!
I love the phrase Creative Procrastination! I’ve been known to take a notebook to bed or get up in the middle of the night. My best writing time is five am. Thanks, I’ll let you know when I’m finished. Of course that means I should be in warm enough climates I won’t need it. LOL!
I absolutely agree. A little bit of procrastination can go a long way to feeding the creative beast. Not only that, but I find when I get frustrated, I might as well walk away because I am definitely going to start going backwards. The key is to go back to the project. 🙂
Absolutely right, You must go back to the project. I love falling asleep on a problem and then getting up early to tackle what I’ve put together in sleep.
Is it so much procrastination or is it redirecting– probably the same thing. When I hit a problem, be it mechanical or mental I often step away to do somthing else for a few minute. The same with writing. Several times during the day when I’m on to something good I make myself talk a walk or do a bit of manual labor. I go look at flowers, birds, crops or ride my motorcycle. The entire time I know my brain is working of the thing I left behind. When I return it i a fresh start.
Great post, Nancy. It is so true that often the quickest way between two points isn’t a straight line.
Thanks Dannie. A fresh mind is kind of like a fresh breeze. It get’s you to where you’re going faster. 😉
I learned long ago if a project is not going just right to put it up until I feel calmer about it. If I get tense or frustrated it is time for a break. Because things will only go downhill from there if I do not take that break.
Sounds like a great idea. 😉
YES, yes for procrastination. Sometimes I don’t know how I get things done on the boat. MUCH PATIENCE is often needed to do ANY seemingly easy project. So, procrastination is often needed. As you say, step back and often UNDO something. Tell Dave it’s why I no longer use “zip ties” to secure wiring. I now use Velcro straps, as I now have the foresight that I may have to undo wiring harnesses to add a new device. FORESIGHT & PROCRASTION & most of all PATIENCE.
Good for you Brooke. Hope to see you soon.
Ah, Nancy … a fabulous blog post and great comments. Thanks for the input. I needed to hear your words. Perhaps that’s why some of the greatest meditations happen in the bathroom! But I’m guessing the ‘head’ is not terribly conclusive to inspiration on a boat, but so much else is. Glad to hear you are in warmer climate. Waving from the west coast.
LOL! Marion, your post made perfect sense. I’d amend meditaion to a landlubber shower. I haven’t taken one of those in years. My mind is so geared to water conservation. Thank you for reminding my why I’ve adapted and what I’m missing.
PS: For landlubbers, the head is the bathroom on a boat. If someone didn’t know that, my post doesn’t make sense!