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| The mess of interrupted projects on my desk. |
Do writers and other artists ever actually retire?
Sure, sooner or later we leave our day jobs, but—barring physical or mental decline—we rarely abandon our artistic pursuits. Even so, leaving the daily grind behind presents us with a new set of challenges.
For me, leaving my part-time day job early last year should have opened up twenty-plus hours each week to spend writing and editing. I had my schedule planned. I would do this on Mondays, that on Tuesdays, and this other thing on Wednesdays. I would even—unlike when I worked part-time and freelanced the rest of the time—take Sundays off.
That plan went right to hell in a handbasket.
Instead of working around the requirements of my former salaried position, I’m now working around other things—deliveries, home repairs, family emergencies, and planned and unplanned medical appointments. (Trust me, getting older is time-consuming.)
Little of what I had planned to accomplish has come to pass, and I’m only occasionally taking Sundays off. I am—thankfully—not unproductive, just not nearly as productive as I had expected.
And that frustrates me.
I am not a spontaneous person. For example: Temple and I have purchased concert tickets and planned trips as far in the future as next December. But adhering to my day-to-day plans?
Phooey.
When I was younger and worked a full-time job, I was able to switch gears rapidly. I often wrote during my lunch hour, and there was no time to ease into the creative mindset. Once I slapped the metaphorical time clock to begin my lunch break, I had to be ready to write. So, I was.
Nowadays? Not so much.
Even though I try to roll with it when interrupted by things I cannot control, once interrupted it is difficult to get back into the creative swing. I can no longer switch off and on like rebooting a computer. So, after a five-minute interruption, it can take as long as an hour to get back up to speed. It only takes a handful of interruptions to obliterate a day’s productivity.
I wish I weren’t like this.
While I struggle to devise a plan I can adhere to, I console myself with the knowledge that any productivity beats no productivity, and I just keep plowing forward.
What about you? If you’ve left the work-a-day world behind, what has helped you establish and maintain a productive schedule?
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“Twink” was reprinted in Great Googly Moo!
Michael, you might "enjoy" reading Cal Newport's book, DEEP WORK, which talks about the fracturing of attention and how hard it is to get back into the groove after you're been interrupted. I put enjoy in quotes because it confirms what you're saying--it's a human trait-- but won't necessary alleviate the stress.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation, Joseph. I ordered it and I also ordered Newport's Slow Productivity.
DeleteWhen I retired mid-2023, a friend gave this advice, "Don't commit to anything for the firet year. Things will come to you." And, boy, did they. Some things were unpleasant - major health issues - and some were very pleasant - serving on a nonprofit board, joining a book club, taking lifelong learning classes, traveling. But I was surprised how quickly my day filled up. I was afraid I'd be sitting home all day and instead I found myself wanting time to sit at home.
ReplyDeleteSo my advice would be: (1) whatever you commit to, don't make a long-term commitment - give yourself an escape route if you decide it's not worth your time; (2) allow at least one day a week, when possible, to do nothing. You will look forward to that day; (3) plan time each day (e.g. 9-11 am) to sit at your desk and do "personal admin" work such as scheduling home maintenance. I found myself writing during those times, once I finished the admin work. Being at my desk was a powerful motivator.
I hope that helps.
I haven't left the work-a-day world behind, so still got those duties in the juggling mix, but I do empathize with what you're saying about the difficulty of shifting from one thing to another (not as quickly as I used to) and about planning and finding those plans thrown to the side. I try to keep planning nonethless, blocking out time best I can, and trying to maintain equilibrium internally when the schedule is (inevitably) thrown off. And thanks to Joe for the recommendation of Deep Work, which he's mentioned to me before too—I *still* need to get it!
DeleteOh, Leone, things definitely came to me. Opportunities dropped in my lap, and they keep dropping in my lap. I have—for good or ill—reached the point where I've had to decline some things I wish I had time for.
DeleteArt, getting older makes me feel like a jalopy. I can still shift gears; they just grind a lot more when I do.
DeleteMichael, you can't do better than follow Leone's advice. And, warning, as you and your spouse get older, those doctor's appointments accumulate at an alarming rate. But you will manage.
ReplyDeleteEve, Maybe I need to learn how to write while sitting in waiting rooms.
DeleteMichael, it's amazing how much you can get done in a waiting room, once you get your mind right...
DeleteI smiled all through your post, Michael! I made a big leap in 2016 - I left my day job to write full time. I was making okay money as a writer, and it seemed the ultimate goal. What I found is, my hobby became my work! Novel deadlines created another form of work. I like my work, but it's work all the same.
ReplyDeleteAnd as I am over 60 now, it gets harder to maintain a schedule. So how I do it is this: I pace myself not in time, but in words - at least 500 words a day. That's pure writing time. Then there's all the other Author jobs (publisher edits/promotion) that take additional time. But that allows me to write a book a year, and usually two short stories. We'll see how long I can keep it up...
Like you, Melodie, my decision to leave the day job—even though it was only part-time—was a conscious choice. My stress level dropped considerably, which was a good thing.
DeleteWork has a way of expanding to fill the available time, doesn't it? The minute I think I've cleared a day for writing--whoops, nope, gotta find somebody to take care of the roof that's suddenly leaking. OK, that's taken care of, but now the cat needs an emergency vet visit. There's always something. For what it's worth, you still get more done than pretty much anyone else I know!
ReplyDeleteWork does expand to fill the available time, Joe, but all the darned non-work also expands to fill the time.
Delete“Work expands to fill the amount of time available for its completion” is Parkinson’s Law. (Not the same Parkinson as the disease.) When I retired at seventy after a fifty-year career in education, I promised myself to take more time to smell the roses. I continue to teach occasional classes for two adult-ed programs (without the annoyance of homework and grading), my wife and I are traveling more, I’ve had my first two novels come out, and I’m averaging a new short story a month. But it’s all stuff I choose to do, rather than stuff I have to do, and that makes for a much more relaxing lifestyle. Five stars. Recommended.
ReplyDelete