Great concept. Having a severe case of ADHD this gave me hope of what I’ve always thought about my procrastination of projects. This brings it into the light. Thanks Austin. I actually talked about this today on my podcast The ADHD Creative with thanks to you for coining the term.
Building a fire to create focus and passion. Yes!! Winter time on the beach where I am (Central Florida) is perfect for that. Weekend plans now set. Thanks for the idea.
Going to be noodling over your "Fire and focus" piece this weekend. We have a fireplace in our house and it's been a joy for us that grows over the years as we use it more and more. There's not much better than listening to records by the fire on a Saturday night and now that I think about it, that's what we did growing up too...
Also, I had to stay in a hotel for an extended period recently attending to a number of family crises and one night, the TV not being on just felt like this overpowering, dominating black abyss in the room.
Roku stick and Yule log on Pluto TV solved that problem and was comforting but strangely so—until now, reading yours and Jacob's posts explains that quite a bit!
Another form of fire, but do you know that Gaston Bachelard also wrote a book called The Flame of a Candle? I read it over 20 years ago, and just like in The Poetic of Space, there are quotes in it I have never forgotten. Notably one about dark corners within ourselves that can’t tolerate more light than the flickering flame of a candle.
Fires really are so mesmerising. I think there’s also something about that it has be dark also to get the maximum effect. It encourages connection and introspection.
Funny how things pop up and tie together in a way you can't ignore. Earlier this week I passively listened to On Repeat with Kevin Alexander's weekly playlist, which included a song from Cale's 1979 album "5" that caught my attention. Once the playlist ended, Spotify gave me all the tunes it thought I needed to hear. After several more J.J. Cale tracks gave me pause, I began to research because I couldn't believe I had lived 47 years without ever hearing of him. A great dinner discussion ensued.
I knew that he changed his stage name to J.J. Cale so he wouldn't be confused with John Cale, who I also had not heard of until reading that tidbit. And now you've told me John Cale has a new album?! You've now begun the soundtrack for our taco night this evening, so thanks for being a link in the chain!
I worked on editing my latest book seated in a low chair in front of a crackling fire this week. It was pure pleasure. I loved your essay on building a fire inside! That belongs in your next book.
Yesterday, I was listening to a class on creating characters for children's books and Ben Clanton mentioned procrastidoodles that he got from Elizabeth Rose Stanton. I wnt in search and came upon your procrastination post and then hers.
Neil Fiore's THE NOW HABIT has this lovely solution for procrastination. He says focus for thirty minutes (I do 20 +10 more if its going well), then reward yourself. When I was writing a book and running a business, I would do 20+10 on the book and then switch gears to focus on a business chore. I wore out several egg timers, published the book and had a good business. Neil says the only question you ever have to ask is "When can I find 30 minutes to focus on my writing?" Works for me.
I saw an exhibition of Andrea’s work several years ago and had a chance to meet her. If you haven’t seen them, check out the prints she is making in collaboration with glass makers!
Great concept. Having a severe case of ADHD this gave me hope of what I’ve always thought about my procrastination of projects. This brings it into the light. Thanks Austin. I actually talked about this today on my podcast The ADHD Creative with thanks to you for coining the term.
Building a fire to create focus and passion. Yes!! Winter time on the beach where I am (Central Florida) is perfect for that. Weekend plans now set. Thanks for the idea.
We covered PPP in my design thinking class this week! (STEAL is one of our three books.)
Love the idea of “comfort work”
Going to be noodling over your "Fire and focus" piece this weekend. We have a fireplace in our house and it's been a joy for us that grows over the years as we use it more and more. There's not much better than listening to records by the fire on a Saturday night and now that I think about it, that's what we did growing up too...
Also, I had to stay in a hotel for an extended period recently attending to a number of family crises and one night, the TV not being on just felt like this overpowering, dominating black abyss in the room.
Roku stick and Yule log on Pluto TV solved that problem and was comforting but strangely so—until now, reading yours and Jacob's posts explains that quite a bit!
Another form of fire, but do you know that Gaston Bachelard also wrote a book called The Flame of a Candle? I read it over 20 years ago, and just like in The Poetic of Space, there are quotes in it I have never forgotten. Notably one about dark corners within ourselves that can’t tolerate more light than the flickering flame of a candle.
Fires really are so mesmerising. I think there’s also something about that it has be dark also to get the maximum effect. It encourages connection and introspection.
Fire and focus/hearth: how beautiful.
Sitting around the fire is great...although I didn't live during that period-Little House on the Prairie-it has that vibe....reading a great book.
Funny how things pop up and tie together in a way you can't ignore. Earlier this week I passively listened to On Repeat with Kevin Alexander's weekly playlist, which included a song from Cale's 1979 album "5" that caught my attention. Once the playlist ended, Spotify gave me all the tunes it thought I needed to hear. After several more J.J. Cale tracks gave me pause, I began to research because I couldn't believe I had lived 47 years without ever hearing of him. A great dinner discussion ensued.
I knew that he changed his stage name to J.J. Cale so he wouldn't be confused with John Cale, who I also had not heard of until reading that tidbit. And now you've told me John Cale has a new album?! You've now begun the soundtrack for our taco night this evening, so thanks for being a link in the chain!
Is it too predictable/ordinary to ask WHERE DID YOU GET THAT FIRE PIT?? ;-)
I worked on editing my latest book seated in a low chair in front of a crackling fire this week. It was pure pleasure. I loved your essay on building a fire inside! That belongs in your next book.
Yesterday, I was listening to a class on creating characters for children's books and Ben Clanton mentioned procrastidoodles that he got from Elizabeth Rose Stanton. I wnt in search and came upon your procrastination post and then hers.
https://taralazar.com/2013/11/12/piboidmo-day-12-elizabeth-rose-stanton/
I have found that even if the doodles don't make a direct line to something, the act of creating keeps the imagination and curiosity flowing.
Looking forward to your zoom interview, discussion. I'm all register and blocked it off in the calendar.
Love the piece on fire and focus! 🔥
Neil Fiore's THE NOW HABIT has this lovely solution for procrastination. He says focus for thirty minutes (I do 20 +10 more if its going well), then reward yourself. When I was writing a book and running a business, I would do 20+10 on the book and then switch gears to focus on a business chore. I wore out several egg timers, published the book and had a good business. Neil says the only question you ever have to ask is "When can I find 30 minutes to focus on my writing?" Works for me.
I saw an exhibition of Andrea’s work several years ago and had a chance to meet her. If you haven’t seen them, check out the prints she is making in collaboration with glass makers!