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Vox Populi: Reasons to Quit

I have a lot of trouble keeping track of what I'm supposed to be doing. It's not that I necessarily have trouble prioritizing my tasks or scheduling things - I mean I do, but that's not the main problem.

The main problem is that I've got too many things I really need (want) to do - too many long-term projects with potential - and I'm never exactly sure when they're a few weeks away from a grand payoff and when they're just wasting my time.

I suppose this is a crisis of faith.

Here's the thing: I'm creative for a living, which means I always have two or three (or 20 or 30) things going on at once, none of which are guaranteed to actually create anything, but all of which could - provided I can focus enough attention to them. You know the kind of thing I'm talking about. Finishing that screenplay. Practicing with the band. Re-editing that short story. Spending the weekend on a film shoot. Learning Photoshop. These are all things that have that point in the middle - the "desperate hour," a creative journalist friend of mine called it - when you're absolutely not sure why you're even there.

And sometimes, the sad truth is, that doubting voice is absolutely right - sometimes, this thing you're sweating over really is just wasting your time.

So here's my question:


How do you know when it's time to move on? What makes you make up your mind?

Because I really need to know.

merlinmaniac's picture

no time!

Kramer: Look at this, they are redoing the Cloud Club. Jerry: Oh, that restaurant on top of the Chrysler building? Yeah, that’s a good idea. Kramer: Of course it’s a good idea, it’s my idea. I conceived this whole project two years ago. Jerry: Which part? The renovating the restaurant you don’t own part or spending the two hundred million you don’t have part? Kramer: You see I come up with these things, I know they’re gold, but nothing happens. You know why? Jerry: No resources, no skill, no talent, no ability, no brains. Kramer: (interrupts) No, no…time! It’s all this meaningless time. Laundry, grocery, shopping, coming in here talking to you. Do you have any idea how much time I waste in this apartment? Jerry: I can ball park it.

 
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