It’s time to narrow your focus
I suffer from an acute disease brought on by years of being a middle child, people pleaser, and lifelong student.
Head-of-the-class-itus is a not so rare affliction where a person has a goal and instead of just doing that goal well, they take on several other goals simultaneously, because they think you are smarter than most. But in the end they don’t accomplish anything because they have overwhelmed themself. Shame sets in over getting none none, and then it may be weeks before they do anything else.
Looking back, I see I did this all the time. I would be assigned a reading assignment, and I would say “I’m going to read the whole book, not just that chapter.” I would then procrastinate because I took on more than I could chew, and I ended up doing nothing.
This has also shown up in my art practice. So many times I just wanted to finish a simple 30 minute a day sketchbook challenge. But I say to myself: “NO! I am going to do two hours a day every day.” Why? Because I think I can do more. I am at the head of the class.
Secret reveal: There is no class. There is just you and unfinished work.
This year, I wanted to tackle so much. I had my business divided into all the different income streams I needed to pull from to make my business work. I have burned through so many journals drawing the same circle with so many lines pointing to all the things I told myself I was going to do each quarter. And then I didn’t do them.
This year I really sat down and asked what I really want to do. Because even one thing you really want will have a million little things attached to it. I knew I really enjoyed working on picture book illustrations and my portfolio. And I knew I wanted to get my print and stationery shop up and running. Not just posting an occasional print I put out on ETSY. But really running a business.
So those are the two-ish things I want to focus on this year. And those things will be the subject of most of my writing for the next year as well.
I realize now, I don’t have to be the best when it comes to working on my goals. I don’t need a gold star. I don’t even need a pat on the back from an invisible teacher. I just have to be consistent, and get it done. And if I can do it. So can you.
As always thank you so much for taking the time to read this newsletter. You can always follow me on Instagram, my website, and Etsy! And look out for some BIG changes with the newsletter and my shop.