Don (my husband) says that I have a Helium Hand.
He has observed that whenever someone asks for a volunteer, my hand goes up… all on its own.
He was definitely on to something there. The first part of a solution is identifying the problem. And to be honest, after his comments, I got a lot better about saying no to all the volunteer opportunities that are flung my way. (He just agreed when I told him I was blogging about this topic.)
A more recent problem cropping up is saying no to IDEAS.
Ideas for art projects, ideas for art venues, ideas for classes to teach, ideas for just about anything. My friends and family are no help because they are always thinking of cool potential art projects or more ways that I can publicize my art. (I’ve blogged about this before!)
Yes, I admit it’s a “tough problem” to have—that of too many ideas and opportunities. But this brings me to a salient point—we have to choose.
While some people need self-discipline to turn down dessert, I need it for turning down ideas.
I’m guessing a few of you are like this too. Sometimes we have the world at our feet, but if we can’t choose a path, we end up nowhere at all.
It will become a piece of altered book art…someday!
I’ve been very proud of myself for making two choices last week. First was a book (that I finally got a great inspiration for) that would have required an all-nighter to get ready for a deadline. It will just have to wait. Maybe next year. Maybe later this summer.
The other is an art venue that will require a lot of work just to be able to display my book art (building shelves, etc.), which I just don’t have time for right now. So that is going to wait too.
It’s HARD to say no to inspired ideas. Somehow it feels better to know that it’s a choice.
What do you think?
