Holding Intent - Part IV
Structures #14 ©2003 29"x 35"
Enough Time
Most everyone has heard the story about putting rocks and pebbles and sand in a jar (if not look here). The basic idea is you have to the do the important stuff first or you won’t find time for it. The other stuff will fit in around the big stuff.
This is my version (another of the notes I have posted in my studio):
When I first read this quote years ago it was a good reminder that I really do have time for all the important things in my life. To me this said it was about making the choice to do so.
So I put this quote on my wall to remind me that I chose to believe I have time. My thoughts and attitude about my life create my life. If I believe I have time, I do and I truly believe I have enough time.
I remember showing this to a friend that is always stressed out and saying how busy she is. Doesn’t matter what she’s doing she’s harried and complains about lack of time. She looked at this sign when I put it up and said "that’s not true". Years later she’s still living her life on overdrive saying she never has time for all the stuff she wants.
Maybe she’s busier than me. Or maybe we just view life differently. I know I have time for a full time job, kids, family, friends, home, a garden, laughter and also an art career. I believe it - so it is so.
Priorities
There may not be enough hours in the day for everything I might possibly want to do but there is always time for the stuff I really really care about. That’s the other message I get from this note on my wall. That’s it’s about identifying the important stuff.
If I start feeling overwhelmed I review where I’ve been spending my time. Is it on important things? Generally when I’m feeling stressed I find I’ve been spending my time doing things that aren’t all that important. Like checking email a zillion times a day or writing a blog post when what I really wanted to do was work in my studio. Unconscious behavior like this is a good way to get off track.
When I refocus on the present and get back to the tasks that I currently feel are important my life, goals and intent all just fall into place.
Sifting out the Junk
When I go for days, weeks, month and maybe even years not putting time into something I claim is important, I take this as a sign to reevaluate how important that thing really is to me. If I’m not finding time for it, does that mean I need to let the thing go? Instead of being a priority maybe it’s really an energy drain. Often I find that to be the case.
I have to be careful here, because sometimes I’m not doing what I want for other reasons. Fear often being one of the biggest factors, which will lead me to my next post.
Right now my brain is say Didn’t you say you were going to get Markings #19 finished tonight? so time to stop writing and get to the studio.
Popsicles
For a few years I had the above photo on the wall right in front of my sewing machine. Some time after completing Structures #14, at the top of this post, I realized I’d finally made my popsicle piece. So I took down the photo and glued it into my sketchbook. It’s funny how inspiration works even though you aren’t consciously aware of it at the moment.
Related Posts
Transitioning and Intent
Holding Intent - Part I
Holding Intent - Part II
Holding Intent - Part III
Posted by Lisa in: Goals and Intention
Tagged: Focus, goals, Intent, Priorities, structures series
J Thompson said,
February 7, 2008 @ 7:42 am
Loved your quote “Everything changed the day she realized there was exactly enough time for the important things in life”. Makes me think about my priorities…
Laure said,
February 7, 2008 @ 7:50 am
Thank you for sharing your wisdom, obviously hard-won from looking at your life and evaluating it, and learning what works and what doesn’t.
Thanks to for throwing me a lifeline in these works,
Laure
Wanda S. Hanson said,
February 7, 2008 @ 7:51 am
I am really enjoying the pieces you are showing that are out of your usual color range. I think that true artists can work in any color, not just the ones in their comfort range. All of your work is spectacular and a joy to see. I love to see stitching, rows and rows of it.
I know some of those stressed people who never seem to have enough time and I just say to them, priorities and focus, that’s what you need.
Daniel Sroka said,
February 7, 2008 @ 8:35 am
I find my biggest stress comes from focusing too much on last-minute “need to do” ideas. I’ll have all my goals and priorities set, when some “great” new idea will pop into my head, and immediately I want to plop it to the top of my mental list. Learning how to save those impulses without disrupting all the rest of my prioritizes has been a challenge!
Natalya said,
February 7, 2008 @ 11:06 am
wise words, thank you!
Fiona D said,
February 7, 2008 @ 5:32 pm
Thank you for this, it makes so much sense. I missed parts I to III, looking forward to reading them.
kathy said,
February 7, 2008 @ 7:32 pm
I SO needed to hear these words today. I’m having a tough week getting re-focused and started trying to analyze those times when I’m super woman and make amazing strides in my work. You described it for me exactly. I also think I might need a Covey book. Thank you Lisa!
Lisa Call said,
February 11, 2008 @ 10:04 pm
Thanks everyone for you comments. I think it’s always good to hear that other’s share our same blocks.
Brenda Marks said,
February 18, 2008 @ 8:40 pm
I love the popsicles color combination, and your thoughts resonate with me, too.
Deborah Fair said,
February 24, 2008 @ 9:30 am
I so agree with you. In fact, I started my blog in December and named it Just Enough Time, for that very reason. It is a reminder to me and a way of accountability for the very conscious CHOICE that I make to operate under the principle that there is indeed enough time to do the things that are important to me. Thank you for your comments and inspiration.