Project Promiscuity

Recently, a friend asked what projects I’m working on right now.  I rattled off a list of things that I’m in the middle of.  As the list went on and on, I began to get a bit despondent about the sheer number of projects I’m juggling.  

The familiar impulse to start closing loops surfaced.  My reflex was to pronounce a moratorium on new projects until I’ve finished absolutely every project I have in the works.  This is alluring in both its simplicity and finality.

The only trouble is, I know it will never work.  Experience has taught me that I can’t control when new project ideas will show up.  Or, when they’ll push angrily to the front of the line and demand to be started.  Now.

I also know that ignoring the new projects or pushy projects is a death knell for my creativity.  

Besides, I find that promiscuity with my projects helps me stay curious.  When I’m in a particularly repetitive phase of one project, I can take a break with a different one.  When the procrastinatory force field is overly strong with one venture, I can usually find a different one with lower resistance.  Sure, my progress is choppy and slow.  But, I don’t make things by hand in order to maximize efficiency.  I do it to slow down.  I do it to learn the things that are only revealed when I move at human speed.