Whether you are a writer, musician, or an artist, we juggle routines with responsibilities and priorities. Responsibilities, such as getting the kids ready for school or taking out the trash, can’t be ignored. Just as priorities such as dropping that morning deuce or brewing that fresh cup of coffee are essential to daily living. But there are things we often think of as priorities when they’re really not. Catching up on Orange is the New Black on Netflix or watching the latest live stream on YouTube aren’t really priorities, and in fact eat at the time you could have for your creative endeavor.
Am I full of crap? Let me put it to you this way. I talked with Chris Roy on a recent episode of the Deadman’s Tome podcast, and this man is an author. Chris Roy has a few books out and his recent work is Her Name is Mercie, a collection of short stories. Now, you might be wondering, big deal there are lots of writers and authors out there. But while you spend maybe an hour a week on that project, he spent hours a day. While you have access to a computer and just about any writing resource, he’s limited to a cell phone and very limited data. You see, Chris Roy is a prisoner sentenced to life. While he has plenty of time to write, and a mind swimming with ideas, most wouldn’t think he would have the tools, resources, and environment conducive for the craft.
Yet, Chris Roy makes it work. I think the big reasons for that are ambition and priority. In prison, Chris does not have to worry about the distractions and the bullshit that constantly bombards those on the outside. So, do what he does and extract those distractions form your life, remove yourself from the temptation, don’t even kid yourself that just on more round of Fortnite will be enough to satisfy you so that you can spend another 30 minutes staring at a blank screen and 15 minutes of actual writing.
So, next time you even think about procrastinating, think of what Chris Roy can accomplish just on a phone, using the time he has. What can you do with your computer? What can you do if you’re not wasting time consuming media?
