PROCRASTINATION, PRIORITISING & BEING SIMULTANEOUS

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I wonder - do you ever try to do too much? I'm trying to prepare for an art show (in 2 weeks) and need to get a lot of stuff finished off.

Trouble is, I'm trying to do everything simultaneously - and therefore, as usual, getting in my own way! I don't know where to start, what to do first, and am therefore faffing about doing virtually NOTHING - and what I am doing, I'm doing badly.

The show is at Amersham Art Gallery, and will be my first (I'm going to be one amongst many - definitely one amongst several, anyway) and I'll be taking altered books, handmade books & journals, a few small canvases... basically as much as I can of everything! I'd also like to take some of my handmade and soldered jewellery.

However, I'm getting absolutely nowhere fast. I wonder - does everyone have this problem with procrastination and prioritising?

I'm also wondering whether cards would be a waste of time or not, or to stick with larger pieces. Or packs of cards, say sets of 5 or 6, either all the same or the same theme.

You can tell the hysteria is mounting....

Comments

  1. AlpHa Buttonpusher10 November 2009 at 21:15

    Pick your best work.

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  2. Laure Ferlita10 November 2009 at 21:57

    Stand still, shut your eyes and take 3 deep breathes and let them out slowly.

    Walk over to a desk - find a pen or pencil and sit in a comfy place and write down everything you:

    HAVE TO HAVE DONE

    WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DONE

    AND THOSE THINGS THAT WILL HAVE A CHANCE IF YOU GET TIME OR MAY JUST HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT TIME.

    Review the first category for the most time intensive, can't live without items and deal with those first. Then continue down the list, marking items off as you go. If something's not coming together, go to the next item. After completing as much as possible in the first category, move to the second and start over with evaluating the most time sensitive things/most would like to have, etc.

    If you don't know what to do about an item and don't have it, don't worry about it. If you can get to it, great. If not, keep moving down the lists. You'll get there!!

    And remember, when you feel the frustration or hysteria start to climb, deep breathes.

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  3. Susie Jefferson10 November 2009 at 23:05

    Bless you both for this.

    Ms ABP: I will certainly pick the best stuff - but I still have to produce it! All my best stuff is already sold, or I have been keeping it back to take to classes as samples (my altered books and handmade albums in particular) so they are a little battered around the edges, not always in a good way. So they need a little loving repair or freshening here and there.

    Laure: I'm printing your comment to take with me and work through. At last, I have a PLAN!

    This is just what I needed - two sensible heads. This has already helped so much: first off I can do the quick fixes & freshening - these are already finished, so I have SOMETHING to take! Blind panic was setting in, so I couldn't prioritise because I couldn't THINK.

    I might actually get a decent night's sleep now, rather than staring at the ceiling in the dark, trying to plan.

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  4. Carol at Serendipity11 November 2009 at 20:46

    You will just get it done! I have great faith in you. And sometimes less is just more!

    Carol

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  5. Carol12 November 2009 at 08:59

    Excellent advice from Laure, Susie, I think I should print it out too. Another piece of advice would be "Don't panic". All the best with getting your work together, I'm sure it will be wonderful.

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  6. Blondie12 November 2009 at 16:32

    Wow! Congrats Susie! I hope you do well...thanks so much for the sweet comments on my Etsy shop post honey. I am really excited about it, and can't wait to get more vintage items on there. I appreciate your feedback more than you know! Kori xoxo

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  7. Queenmothermamaw12 November 2009 at 18:48

    Hi Susie, I see you signed on as a follower. I will be following you too now, but I have a bloggle problem and it won't allow me to get in the followers. Thanks for stopping by. I am a retired RN, just started to study painting and really enjoy artist blogs. I think the first priory is this a matter of income from those items? If so, what sells best, etc. I know when I go to a fair or show and there are too many items I can't select anything. Good luck.
    QMM

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  8. Julie13 November 2009 at 15:40

    Hi, Susie! So glad I found your gorgeous blog today--I love your style and all you're posting about--such a treat! I'm your newest follower and will be back very often. Good luck preparing for your show--you'll be fabulous!!!

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  9. Susie Jefferson13 November 2009 at 19:22

    Thank you all so much for your support. I am still in panic mode, but at least stuff is getting prepped, and I have a kind of running order now. I will try and take a few pix of works in progress so you can see what I'm taking.

    ReplyDelete

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