In The Zen of Max, I included a feature called lessons learned to summarize what I learned from each little part of his life. I know that it would be good if I applied this summation process to my life, but somehow, I just haven’t gotten around to it. If I did, today’s lesson would come from the realization that procrastination drives me nuts.
I realize that motivation comes in many forms. I must admit I have had the sequel to The Zen of Max at about 75% completion for months. It’s true that I have a busy schedule, but it’s one I set for myself, and I could have scheduled time to finish it at a leisurely pace long before this.
Last year when The Zen of Max came out, I participated in a local book fair connected with an art festival. It was a great kickoff for the book. When it was over, I vowed to finish the sequel before the fair rolls around again.
Yesterday, I sent in my application and registration 
form for the event. Now, I’m committed… motivation is high. Oh,I’ll make it, but I wonder how old I’ll have to be before I learn to work slow and steady rather than having to force myself to make a mad dash for the finish line.
Lesson Learned: Slow and steady gets the job done without frying the nerves.
The truth is I’ve never met an artist of any sort who didn’t suffer from profound procrastination issues. Sometimes it seems to stem from issues with acceptance and having to show someone the finished product (that’s probably me), other times it’s a desperate desire to start a million things, with a million other things hot on their heels with never a pause in inspiration long enough to finish anything!
Coincidentally I’ve just posted http://cjwunsch.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/things-i-havent-finished/ which is a list of things that have been on my ‘to-do’ for at least 12 months!
Just dropped by your blog and saw your list…. Doable …but somehow I suspect that your daily life is already pretty full… Maybe we just like the crunch of the last minute push for deadlines…