It's Always About The Timing
If you’re like most people, then you spend a lot of time feeling guilty about not being able to do the things that really matter. Sure, we know intellectually that there is no point berating ourselves for not planning ahead or for neglecting our responsibilities. Still, it can be so easy to get stuck in the if-onlys and the what-ifs — and before long, we’re succumbing to a vicious cycle of guilt and shame.
But here’s the thing: It’s always about timing. This isn't a platitude or glib sound bite; it's absolutely true--in both life and writing. Great writers and great people learn to be at the right place at the right time. They ask themselves, Is this thing really important? Is it really worth my time and energy?
This is not just some abstract philosophical point. It has real-world consequences. For example, a few weeks back I was driving in rush hour traffic in Los Angeles when I decided that I needed a haircut. So I pulled into my local barbershop and took a seat. (I didn't have an appointment.) While there, I noticed that the shop was pretty busy for a Thursday afternoon, but there were empty chairs--and plenty of barbers still working to cut hair. So I sat there for about 10 minutes reading and waiting my turn. Then I heard a familiar voice: "Do you mind if I cut in front of you? Sir, are you finished?"
I looked up and saw an old friend named Jack (who happens to be a barber). He asked me if he could cut my hair. Now here's the thing: Jack doesn't "do" cuts. He's a professional beard trimmer. In fact, he had just started a part-time gig trimming beards at this shop; he had been there just one time before (the time before that, he'd been called away on business). When Jack saw me sitting there, he was wondering: Should I or shouldn't I? He couldn't imagine that it would be a good idea to interrupt and cut my hair (especially on a Thursday afternoon).
But then he remembered how long it had been — over two years — since my last trim. And he realized that his schedule was open that afternoon. So he went for it. Jack even used the same kind of clippers and shaving cream that I use at home (and I hadn't been in there during his research phase). After cutting my hair, Jack even shaved off the little bit of stubble around my mouth, just as if we were at home.
The short of it is this: Great people and great writers have a sense of timing. They know when to do the things they need to do and when they should hold back. Because they understand that there's no point doing things before or after the time is right.
Check out my blog next week for a special post on this topic, as well as some other writing tips and recommendations. I'll also be heading to New York City next week to give a talk at one of the most interesting creative events of the year: The Fourth Wednesday at The Writers' Room! I'll be talking about "Getting Things Done by Asking the Right Questions.” Yours Truly will be joining me, too! If you're in New York City next week, you should swing by. I'll be signing copies of my Amazon bestseller and chatting with other authors like Tony Schwartz , Linda Kaplan Thaler , and Peggy Noonan .
Ya gotta love a good talk!
--Richard Walden
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-- Richard Walden P.S. I've been waiting for a few readers to comment, but if you haven't yet, please do so soon! Thanks! Come join the discussion at my Facebook author page . I post new updates there daily, including this daily tip at 2:50 p.m. PT ! (Update: I've just turned off the comments on my blog while I work on new tools to provide a better experience here. When they're ready, you'll be able to comment--but only your published posts will appear.)
Check out my blog next week for a special post on this topic, as well as some other writing tips and recommendations. I'll also be heading to New York City next week to give a talk at one of the most interesting creative events of the year: The Fourth Wednesday at The Writers' Room! I'll be talking about "Getting Things Done by Asking the Right Questions.” Yours Truly will be joining me, too! If you're in New York City next week, you should swing by. I'll be signing copies of my Amazon bestseller and chatting with other authors like Tony Schwartz , Linda Kaplan Thaler , and Peggy Noonan .
Ya gotta love a good talk! Come join the discussion at my Facebook author page . I post new updates there daily, including this daily tip at 3:45 p.m. PT ! (Update: I've just turned off the comments on my blog while I work on new tools to provide a better experience here. When they're ready, you'll be able to comment--but only your published posts will appear.
Conclusion:
Getting everything done by asking the right questions is the framework for my own productivity and most of what I discuss in my book, The Power of Less: Transform Your Life, Work, and Your World with the Science of Therefore You Shouldn't Try. It's a highly scientific approach that has produced phenomenal results every time I've applied it. And now you have a chance to see that on this blog, as well as witness me demonstrate its effectiveness on January 20th at The Writers' Room in NYC (which I'll be speaking at too). If you're there, come say hi!
P.S.