Find a Place

October 27th, 2013

Last time, we talked about the hour per day to get you started in developing any new interest. Just as important is establishing a place dedicated for that venture.

It’s only reasonable: We live in time and space.

It doesn’t have to be any place special to start with. I mentioned how my painting started at a card table. I had no easel, no brush storage or paint drawer or anything like that. It was just a table and a chair, a source of light and a trash can.

That’s all I needed; but I needed that. I needed a place where I could leave it all out.

You can get started at the kitchen table, of course, but what happens when you need to clean it all up? Such a solution works against regularity.

Being able to leave the work out is part of the secret to success. To integrate the new interest naturally into your life, you need to be able to sit right down (or stand) in the midst of it all and immediately pick up right where you left off.

My kids would laugh at this. When they were young, they would often hear me telling them to put their toys away, or as they got older, their projects. BUT, if they were still playing with them (working on them) that was different. They could leave everything out as long as they were still in process.

When I determined to become a painter I found a place where I would never have to put it all away . . . because I would never be finished!

And that was key.

If you’re looking to integrate a new thing into your life, schedule the time, find the place, and never put it all away.

It’ll make all the difference.

8 Comments

  1. Twila Farmer Oct 27, 2013
    4:17 pm

    So true! We’re moving houses this week and setting up a space to paint is right up there with setting up the kitchen to cook and the bedroom to sleep.

  2. Jane Moore Oct 27, 2013
    5:21 pm

    We always talk about time, but time takes place in place. Stimulated a lot of thinking. Thank you, Hyatt.

  3. Allan hedberg Oct 27, 2013
    6:56 pm

    I have been the the home of Albert E. He worked in the kitchen, a very small house.

    Recall that it is better for a man to live in an attic (avoidance) than to live with a crabby woman (stressful situation). A stress management strategy. At times of stress we all need a place of retreat.

    Enjoy your retreat from the stress of Southern Calif.

  4. Lisa Oct 27, 2013
    7:36 pm

    GREAT! I have heard this requirement before, to have a place where you leave everything out! That is the key! Thank you for reminding me Hyatt!! Perfect! Thank you! Lisa

  5. Moses Oct 27, 2013
    8:57 pm

    Inspiring! You have a quotient that has “clicked.”

    It is evident from the “Predikator” [preacher: as Ecclesiastes is in Hungarian] the writer says if the “axe” is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength: but wisdom brings success (is a successful advantage). Ecc. 10:10 and Prov. 27:17 (key verse).

    I enjoy “sharpening axes” with you. There is so much more rust and shale to be removed, but the “sparks” are flying!

    C.U. Tuesday morn. 7:30am

    Moses

  6. Norm Oct 28, 2013
    9:35 am

    When in the classroom, a fellow teacher would often look at my desk in disarray and say, “Norm, a clean desk is the sign of a sick mind.”

  7. Joann cokas Oct 28, 2013
    3:30 pm

    So inspiring for me…..thanks Hyatt . I learn so much from your blogs.
    Thanks

  8. Lora Miller Nov 5, 2013
    1:53 pm

    Hello Hyatt :)
    Wonderful blog with references to one of my favorite historical people
    since e=mc2 was one of the mainstays in my college studies …..
    but did you know that one of my favorite quotes comes from him as well…..
    “Coincidences are Gods way of remaining annonymous-Albert Einstein”
    funny huh :)
    I’m sorry about your mom, very sweet blog about her and no surprise you came from such a wonderfully warm friendly woman – not much to undo there :)