I bought a book awhile ago and lost it. Couldn't find the time to read it and couldn't find the book. Forgot all about it.
Earlier this week, I looked around my studio and saw chaos. Not even creative disorder, just chaos. Sighing loudly, I realized I had to take a little time to clear surfaces again. I'm poised to make another huge purchasing decision, a new quilting frame and sewing machine that will allow me to make really, really big wall hangings. I will need to make room for it.
And that's how I rediscovered the book: GETTING THINGS DONE by David Allen. You can see the book here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0142000280/ Yes, I cleared three stacks of catalogs and magazines, and there it was!
At my coffee break, I picked up the book, opened it randomly and started reading.
BAM! A huge aha! moment.
On page 22 is the explanation for my 3 a.m. panic attacks.
Not the ENTIRE reason, of course. Why am I even awake at 3 a.m.? Hot flash. But what comes after, the frantic realization of all the things I've left undone, THAT is explained in this book.
I set it aside in a special place so I could continue to read it.
And lost it again.
Today, a friend called to see if she could stop in for a few minutes. She wanted to introduce me to her adult daughter who is visiting from the west coast. Of course I said yes, though once again I felt embarrassed by the state of my studio.
But Sarah turned out to be perfectly charming and understanding. She loved the menagerie in our mudroom, came up to see the "feral" kittens we are foster-caring, even offered suggestions from her own experiences as an animal foster care host.
When we came into my studio, I muttered the usual apologies for my mess. She saw right through it and focused on the work, exclaiming over and over about the sculptures, the wall hangings, the jewelry. They picked a piece to purchase.
As I was wrapping the horse sculpture up, I mentioned that I'd better take some time today to read a book I'd just found on getting organized. She looked at me thoughtfully and said, "You know, the best book I've ever read on the subject was called "Getting Things Done."
My jaw dropped. "By Dave Allen?" I asked her. Yup, that was the one.
After they left, I finished my production run of artifacts for the day. Then I searched for the book and finally found it. (A sure sign it's time to read it.)
Huge coincidence? The universe speaking? YOU decide!
But I'm going to go lie in the hammock on this amazingly beautiful first day of July and read this book. With a stack of Post-It notes and a pencil.
Put your work down for a few hours today and go enjoy the sunshine! If anyone complains, tell them I said you could.
