Momentum of the Muse

So, I mentioned previously that I was going to do a series.

I should have looked into it before I mentioned it, because I’m not following that theme anymore. I have instead decided to follow yesterday’s theme and do a week long series of lazy, yet (hopefully) helpful or interesting posts. To give a positive spin on the word lazy, I’m going to refer to it as The Effective and Efficient Posting Series.

Yesterday’s post has now been miraculously transformed into Effective and Efficient Post #1: Compilation of Quotes. Be sure to follow suit and quote yourself, like I did. If you’re don’t think you have something important to add to the noise, who will?

After that disclaimer, let’s continue on to Post #2 in the series: Using Holidays to Maximum Advantage

Do you remember checking into your reader on Halloween or Thanksgiving and finding a whole slew of posts dedicated to wishing you a Happy [Insert Holiday Here]? I sure do. Did it fill you with a warm and glow as you received their wishes? Maybe you did … Maybe you didn’t. Either way, utilizing holidays is a surefire way to save time and energy year round.

A quick googling of “comprehensive list of holidays” led me to the Interfaith Calendar. It’s safe to say that there are more holidays than not, so go to town and don’t be afraid to get far fetched, either.

For instance, today is the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib. Who knew? Well, anyone who is Sikh, because it is a Sikh holiday, that’s who. A quick wiki led me to learn that he is a central figure in the Sikh religion, and the first of 12 gurus. Now, I’m no guru (or am I?) but I would have to say that that is worth a hearty Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday Guru Nanak Dev Sahib!

So, are you feeling that warm and happy glow due to my thoughtfulness yet? I thought so.

To make your wish appear more firm, and also give the illusion that you put a lot of time and consideration into the post, insure to include a heartwarming or hilarious image. Or make an excuse for their not being one, to give the illusion that you at least thought of including an image. As Guru Nanak has been dead for several centuries, I could not provide an image.

Be sure to check out the rest of the series:

• Post #1: Quote Compilations Will Save You Time (And Effort Too!)

Time is precious.

I know; thank you, Captain Obvious! It seems like freelancers, especially ones with a bajillion hats (parent, editor, teacher, etc) know that time is the most valuable commodity more than most people. So, it’s important to look at what goes into your hourglass and evaluate when to give up, when to stay at it.

I realized this several times lately.

One was while reading The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James. Over the course of 2008, I have read at least one book per week. Most of them have been non-fiction , either about writing or financial planning. I figure I can become responsible – I just have to buy the book! And yes, I do have to buy it. Despite what those financially planning books suggest about using the library to save money, my library fines tell me otherwise. You try getting banned from a public library – it’s tough, but if you’re tenacious enough, they will revoke all of your borrowing privileges. But I moved away from that municipality, on to terrorize some other poor librarian looking to secure my feckless buck.

So, back from the tangent. I’m reading The Portrait of a Lady. It’s the first fiction book I have read in ages, so I might have started off with a lighter, less plodding read. I’m on page 364 and I’ll be there until I pick it back up again, at some undefined point in the future. So, technically, scratch that – I’m NOT read The Portrait of a Lady.

Some people pick up a book and are comfortable tossing it after the first ten pages of boredom. For me, it takes about 364 pages.

But this is a symptom of the disease. I now notice I am notorious for picking up projects, jobs, friends – ahem – and then find I am not enjoying the process. Then I stick with it, trying to squeeze champagne out of rocks.

So, when do you know that it’s something to give up, and not one of those times when persistence will pay off? I obviously don’t know. Just like I don’t know why Isabel Archer had to marry Osmond, or why I decided to read the book in the first place. Probably because I hadn’t read anything fiction in a long time, so I wanted to cart around something that made me seem pretentious on the bus. So, there’s the root problem – motivation. My motivation for reading the book was to look smart and cool on public transit. Let’s just face it – if I don’t already look like one of the coolest people on the bus, I’m in real trouble and no longer have any business querying fashion magazines.

So, when deciding the time to pack it in, and lose the book under your bed until the next time you move, the best place to start is considering your motivation when you began the endeavor.

Are you getting what you wanted out of the situation? Why or why not? Are the solutions outside of your realm of control? Is the amount of effort required to repair the situation worth the outcome?

Have you given up on anything recently that brought a welcome relief?