Right before I slide into “overwhelm” I realize how much I still have to do. It’s now just after 10 p.m and I’ve been up since 5:30 a.m., working. I’m trying to get to a point where I’m “done” and can go to bed. What a mistake. There is no
“done.” When I’ve finished paying the bills, I have to send invoices, and then I have to create the Powerpoint and do the outline and book my flight and remember what is left to do for the trip to Yuma and the one to Houston and. . . there is no end.
Which is a good thing, as steady work means money to pay the bills. But I have to decide how much to work each day. Sometimes a small machine in my head acts as if I will hit a magic end to the work, a big trumpet will sound and satisfaction will pour into my heart as money pours into my hands.
Instead, there is satisfaction in getting work done well, and a bit of panic in the work left undone, and when the whole thing balances out, it’s been a very good day.
—Quinn McDonald has to buy cat food tomorrow, or the day will not end well. And she is teaching Tiny Journals at Arizona Art Supply on January 26.
QuinnCreative 
Dear Quinn,
You are so right Quinn . . .never done. I have a little different twist on my version. I get up early completing all my tasks, thoroughly but as quickly as possible; as if I can “bank” the time I have left. Maybe I am not too crazy here though; if I have extra time, then was I not able to “save” that time for an additional project? Hmmm . . .
that would be a wonderful thing–if we could bank time.
We had quite an interesting discussion today about linked actions and how sometimes you can´t have it both ways and have to choose what is left undone. It involved waffles, which were worth cutting a walk short.
Ohhhhhh, waffles! I’d leave a lot undone for a wonderful waffle (I know, I know, I can’t have them. Still worth thinking about.)
And wonderfui they are Quinn! It is a small family shop that has been up the mountain since 1954. It has Bayern music blasting which adds to the charm.
Ach du Lieber! Bayrisch Musik in den Huegeln von Argentinian!
Sometimes “enough” has to take the place of “done.”
Exactly. Which is what I keep reminding myself of.
Your comment about a trip to Houston caught my eye. Are you teaching an art class here? If so I would love to know when/where! Your classes always sound interesting … but I am a long way from the venues where you generally teach.
The trip to Houston is for a business writing class I teach. But it’s for an energy company, a client of mine. I’d love to teach an art class in Houston, though. Tell me where a good place is to ask!
Here are a few places to try. Texas Art Supply 713 526-5221; Art Supply on Main 713-652-5029; Paper Source 713-888-0418; and Jerry’s Artarama 832-237-6070 or grodrodriguez@jerrysartarama.com. Keeping my fingers crossed!
I would love to know when you would be in Houston. I only live 250 miles away.
If I come to Houston to teach art, it will be on my blog, for sure!
You should talk to this guy Zeno. Paradoxically, he mentions something similar. 🙂
I dunno. Those philosophers from Elea were such questionable guys.
I love your blog. I love your humanity. Thanks for being so real.
Awww, thanks Linda.
Your comments about working are right on… the part about being up at 5:30am and realizing that the day is going fast is something I can relate to now that my second novel is complete and I’m starting my third with my fourth, fifth and sixth novel on the drawing board. Now all I have to do is get a new agent and publisher… this should be fun. I like your blog and your works. Please check out my blog if you have a chance. Best regards, Ed
Writing is a never ending task, also. Maybe all work is. I’ll have to check out your blog, Ed.
Thanks
You are doing the world a favor by explaining those confusing word trios–to, too, two; their, there, they’re. So much confusion about those now. As a teacher of corporate business communication, I didn’t think I’d have to go over that again. But I do, I do.