To quit or not to quit, that is the question. To pack it in or press on? We’ve all been there — at a crossroads with a creative project, wondering whether or not to proceed.
When you are in that situation, the first thing is to consider your own state. What’s going on with you: What is your energy level? Your emotional state? Are you bored? Are you afraid? Are you depressed? Are you overwhelmed? Are you fatigued?
It may be that you need a break. Or to get re-energized. Or some support. Or it could be that you’ve gotten what you needed to from this particular project and it’s time to move on.
What does your gut say? Is the issue with you – or with the project?
If the answer isn’t clear, consider the project itself: Does the project still interest you? Does the project still serve you? Why are you feeling differently about it? Have you suffered a setback in the project? Are you stuck? Do you know how to proceed?
Remind yourself of why you started this in the first place. What were to be the benefits of this project? Is that still the case?
What are the consequences of proceeding?
What are the consequences of packing it in? If you don’t finish it, which you regret it on your deathbed?
Is another project or activity competing? If so, which is more important?
Here’s an important point for DaVincis: given our many ideas and talents, it is impossible to complete every project we begin. Luckily, there is no rule or law that dictates that we must finish everything we start. There is no reason to feel guilty or badly when it’s time to move on. So give yourself permission to abandon a project when appropriate.
Another important point: when you leave a project unfinished, it is not a failure. Avoid treating it as such. Instead of griping about ‘wasted time’ or ‘wasted energy’, focus on what you’ve learned. Value the experience of working on the project for the time you did.
Believe me, I understand the temptation to despair. Here’s an example: I had spent a dozen hours making a complicated silver ring in a metalworking class. It was almost done…and when I was soldering it together, I accidentally melted the metal into an unsalvageable puddle. I burst into tears. “Weeks wasted!” I wailed and proceeded to beat myself up accordingly.
My sage teacher took me aside and pointed out, correctly, that
(a) The point of taking the class was to acquire skills, experience and knowledge…not to produce particular products.
(b) The time and energy I had put into the ring was not, in fact, wasted. I had learned a lot during the process. (And I learned a heckuva lot more because of the psychological processing sparked by melting my ring).
(c) I’ve wasted much more time on much less important, less interesting activities in my life. The dozen hours spent on the-ring-that-wouldn’t-be was a relatively short investment in a relatively interesting activity.
This was a turning point for me. I realized how focused I’d been on the final product…and how dismissive of the process — a process that I do truly enjoy.
As a result, I cultivated a far healthier attitude to my metal projects. I became a soldering ninja…and someone who really didn’t mind the apparent setbacks along the way. Sure, I’ve ruined more silver in the interim…but I haven’t shed any more tears over it.
How to Pack in a Project Properly
If you do opt to pause or leave a project unfinished, do it deliberately and respectfully. Make a clear and firm conclusion to your efforts. Put away your project materials. Take a moment to list what you learned from your project. File your notes.
In her excellent book, Refuse to Choose, Barbara Sher recommends packing up your half-done projects and adding them to your ‘project shelf’ – a shrine-like collection of former projects.
Above all else, avoid beating yourself up, feeling guilty or otherwise icky. DaVinci himself didn’t finish more projects than he did. When you stop and think about it, not finishing is a badge of having many talents.
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What about you? How do you know when it’s time to quit a creative project? Let us know your experience in the comments section below.
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I love this story!!!