Thread: Lost Focus

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I need some advice. I DO NOT have ADHA but I can not get a project finished this year. I have 2 ground breakers started, pumpkin head scarecrow started, and a life size Jersey Devil started !!! I read the forum and get new ideas and dont want to forget so I start it. But I dont finish the last. I know that the time will fly and Ill have a bunch of half finished projects... Any advice how to stay focus !!! Thanks in advance.

I run into the same problem; there are too many ideas zipping through my head at any time and whenever I get one that jumps out at me I have the undeniable urge to start it. But, as seems to be your 'problem' as well, it seems no sooner do I start to give the project some real attention than another idea pops in my mind that I also really, really want to try. While I tend to be limited on cash for supplies or time (I have a terrible time making sure I don't slack on my school work, which is tortuous when I have a fun new project on the slab), both of which actually help rein me in when I go a little crazy, I have two techniques for at least keeping some of my attention on unfinished projects:

1) I have a sketchbook. OK, I have lots and lots of sketchbooks. I probably own a share of Pentalic and Proart by now considering I go through so many sketchbooks . Between doodles and the like, I tend to make sketches of a project when it comes to me and I then write down everything in my head about the project, labeling as necessary. They aren't nice looking sketches (as my costume sketches can attest to) since they are scratched on the paper as quick as I can so that I don't lose any of the original idea, but it gets the point across. This is probably my best method for keeping myself in check. I know I have the idea in there, and I annotate & update it as necessary. That way I know I won't forget. Plus, I have a sketchbook on me at all times. I keep my big sketchbooks here at home, but I have a little sketchbook that goes in my satchel no matter what.

2) I keep all my active, in-progress projects in plain sight. It helps that I'm in a small apartment so nothing is really out of sight, but overall I keep important projects where I'll see them all the time. It's almost like a guilt trip; the sad unfinished projects sit in the corner of my living room begging for attention. I tend to get frustrated with projects easily and often need to set them aside for their own good, and if they are in plain sight it allows me to think about them subconsciously and *presto* I tend to get ideas on how to tackle them again. Not that this always works (as many botched art projects can attest to), but it helps more often than not. I rarely totally ignore projects anymore, even if a fair amount of time passes.

I do have ADHD and am a chronic procrastinator and tend to over-anylize everything about a project instead of just getting it done...then October rolls around and I get a lot done because I'm no longer thinking, I'm doing. My advice is to find the prop that's closet to getting done and finish it...then you can check it off and the progress will keep you motivated. Break projects into subprojects to help get that sense of completion. Often we just stare at things because they're to huge to take on all at once...just remember that old saying: "How do you eat an elephant? "


" One piece at a time. "

Love that 'eat an elephant' advice!

I somewhat use the excitement to start something new as motivation to finish the last project. I will not allow myself to work on the new one until I finish the last one. So, I start plowing through it so I can move to the fun new one.

To help with that, I do what Zombie M. does. The old project is actually in the way (on the workbench) so it has to be finished to get the space to work.

I do cheat a little bit. When the old project needs drying time or something, I will start to work on the new one a bit.

Zombie Machairodont-I love the sketch book idea. What an easy fix, instead of starting a project so I dont forget just sketch it in a book and keep my notes there.

Scatterbrains- I also over-anylize everything trying to make it as perfect as possible and exact as possible. But I have to learn to keep in mind Low lighting and nothing is perfect not even the things we perceive as perfect. And I do have to remember to take small bites !!!

Terra- I will have to use that method of work on one and when dryin use that time on another. Might actually get 2 done pretty close to the sametime.

Thanks everyone Makes me feel good to know I not the only one and that there is somewhere I can talk about it and not feel stupid !!!

Another way to get things under control with about 6 months to go: Sit down and figure out what props you want to make and start putting them into 5 groups....one for May, June, July, August, and September..with October being construction/setup.

Scatterbrains not a bad suggestions either !

Here are a few of the projects in the works...

http://www.halloweenforum.com/album....ictureid=38276

Looks like you're making progress there....

I sat down last night and started making a list of the props I want to build....this was a good and bad thing....as I am able to see that
a. It'll cost a lot to buy all the tech stuff for the props
b. There's no way I can get it all done this year


So now I get to pair down that list to something that's manageable this year. Looking at the list, I can put a priority ranking on each prop narrowing my focus to the props I need to be working on. This narrowed focus should make it easier to complete things...

Now, where did I leave that list?

Im working on my list today. So far everything has been very cheep to get where i am at. Less the $10 for all 5 heads. PVC body for Jersey Devil is in the shed. Body for the other ground breaker is next to the Jersey Devil body. Ground breaker in front I am working on face. Just stumped dont know where to go with it. and the dark plastic skull will be my mold skull for mache.
Oh and now that you mention you lost your list I will be making multi copies so I always have one !!!