We’ve all had this experience, sometimes frequently, where we want to
spin a large amount of one color, one blend, or one roving for a special
project. A very large amount, a seemingly endless amount that apparently
grows when we’re not looking! Or at least it *feels* that way.
(It’s best not to ask me about the whole pound of natural tri-colored
cotton roving I bought two years ago…)
Discipline is not my best attribute. In fact, I’ve been known to
procrastinate with the best of them. There are always other things
to do, usually outside that capture my attention and energy. But sooner
or later I run into a deadline issue, as Christmas approaches or a birthday
or another special occasion, that forces me to get myself in gear and get
something accomplished. Here are some tricks I use to keep my rear in
the spinning chair and get a serious amount of work done.
1) Rent a good movie. This helps keep me
still long enough to accomplish what I need to get done. The more I
need to do, the more movies I rent. I’ve learned that the TV will never
have a movie that interests me when I need it, so renting makes sure I have
what I need when I need it.
2) Listen to music or a radio talk show. Again,
a method to keep the mind active and the body still. Music doesn’t
work very well for me, but I know others who do very well with it.
It soothes me too much, to the point of wanting a nap. Radio talk shows,
on the other hand, can be very stimulating and keep you working with your
hands as you yell at the callers who cannot hear a word you say.
3) Invite a spinning friend over for the day.
This may seem like it would interrupt your plans, but I find that spinning
with a friend helps keep me on task and we both wind up getting more work
done.
4) Set aside times. This one takes more discipline
and isn’t one I do very well. But sometimes I can set aside a half
hour before lunch, or a half hour before bed, or some set time when I *must*
set down and work on my project or feel guilty about it. Unfortunately,
I’m pretty good at ignoring guilt.
5) Leave the project out in a prominent place.
This works best if it is someplace where it irritates your spouse.
Don’t laugh! Having to say, “but I’m working on that” enough times
will convince you that you truly need to do it. Spinning wheels left
in the middle of the living room produce this effect for me. Putting
things away makes them easy to forget.
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