I hear some artists say they only create when inspired. If I took that approach, I would never accomplish anything.
At this moment, I’m procrastinating starting the first edits of hours of footage of Bob Fergeson. Months from now, there should be a feature-length film called Mountain High. Right now, however, there is nothing but some notes on a page and a desire to do anything except start. I’ve snacked, answered emails, started washing clothes, and even started writing this essay. The genesis of this essay being a walk in the park earlier this week.
Behind our house, Wildcat Canyon Regional Park offers a couple of thousand acres of hilly solitude. On my first trip, I hiked straight for the top of a 1000-foot peak, ascending 500 feet in about a half a mile. Within five minutes, my body revolted against the attempt. Seemingly, anchors were cast behind me, as my legs weakened, my breathing labored, and every physical signpost said stop.
Unfortunately, it had been many weeks since I last hiked. As I watched my body half-heartedly labor and whole-heartedly protest, I recalled this reaction was nearly always the case. Even when I am used to regular exercise, the body initially complains. The complaint isn’t as long or loud, but the initial reaction is always the same: “What are you doing? Stop!”
Pushing through the body’s complaints, the anchors soon released and I began a steady rhythm of hiking. Seemingly resigned to labor, the body began to perform as desired by my goal. Topping the hill, I took a well-deserved break and enjoyed the views of San Francisco Bay. I hiked another mile before mind and body agreed they were truly tired and it was time to go home.
I find there is nearly always resistance from the mind and/or body. My mechanism would rather sit under a tree and nap for eternity. Yet it also enjoys exploring and creating. The contradiction leads to faux protests, thin complaints, and paper tigers. There is an initial barrier, but if I push it allows me to pass. This barrier is a known part of me and maybe part of you.
Amelia Earhart wrote, “The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.” There is some truth to that as well as some early-20th Century pop psychology. Inspiration often leads us to act, yet her mere tenacity is what often abandons us. Some are slow to act, yet fully commit when they do; others are quick to act and equally quick to abandon.
Become familiar with the ways you deceive yourself. I have no idea why I procrastinate hikes and projects. Rather than analyze and seek to destroy the root, I find that noticing the forms of protest and acting against them will generally cut through the protest and lead to sustained action.
Regarding the film, I recognized my procrastination, sat down at the computer, and opened the editing program. Just that first step led to the next, as day after day the first step leads to the next.