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| Worth every second of down time |
For my entire adult life, aside from a few years when I was either gestating, giving birth to or using my body to feed and nurture developing human beings, I have been on tour.
I visit my home for periods of time, but most of the time I am engaging in the rough and ready life of hotel rooms, staying with friends, thousands of strangers, new places, language barriers, avoiding gluten, and generally being a public-facing introvert. Ambivert. Donna Marie Todd assures me I am an ambivert.
I have been home for four months. That's right - FOUR MONTHS, and I'm not recovering from anything or distracted with babies.
My brain went into shock mode for a couple of weeks -
What is going on?
How am I going to make a living?
How long is this going to last?
Luckily, I live with my business manager. Did I say "luckily"? It has its moments...especially since I am doing it full time now.
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| The David and I |
Within two weeks, we'd moved into action mode -
- Find a virtual pathway
- How much performing do I have to do live? Can I pre-record shows?
- Is there a model where we can capitalize on this new situation so we can survive
- What is the next step?
Within a month we not only had a new business plan but a new model that was working well.
We were able to make headway on the money we'd lost when COVID stopped our season.
We started thinking about how our new model translated into the Fall.
We made plans, and begin to carry them out on a massive scale.
- National contact list - go!
- How does this software work?
- Do we need more technology?
- How do we price this?
We made plans about supporting our community -
- Contributing to artists whenever possible
Then something odd happened.
I was suddenly at the end of the planning and whirlwind prep. I looked up into a sea of days with nothing too much to accomplish.
If I wasn't doing anything, it had nothing to do with procrastination. I really didn't have anything to do.
I like procrastination. It means you have duties you are ignoring. What happens when you really don't have anything to do? What does that even mean?
Yes, I could rehearse or write, but I don't actually have any "real" deadlines.
NO DEADLINES!!!
HOW DO YOU SURVIVE WITHOUT DEADLINES???
I am not a self-regulator. I rely on my touring schedule to help me remember what day it is!
I started freaking out a little. A type-A personality without a feeling of impending doom in the pit of my stomach because I've agreed to something that is slightly out of my wheelhouse is a dangerous thing. How can anybody live like that???
No. I was very freaked.
Then, The David took me in hand and told me that it was not healthy for me to be so unfocused.
That's when it happened.
I bought a planner.
I haven't had one since The David took over my touring schedule almost two decades ago.
I started writing in it almost immediately.
I suddenly realized that counter to what I thought, I am really busy. I mean, really really busy!
Apparently, I have board meetings, group meetings, artist meetings, work meetings, programs to write and develop, and things that I need to accomplish.
There is so much more to my life than just touring!
Who knew?
With my days spread before me like an uninked sea, it occurred to me that this would be a good time to start some good, achievable habits.
I've always had Non-fiction Thursday, but, I thought, what if I expanded this out so that I accomplished different things every single day?
So, I have a new way forward.
Monday - Check-In. This is when I will call people, spend the day on social media. maybe watch some storytelling. maybe work on my projects, maybe not! Ha
Tuesday - Recordings! - If there is something to record from intros to story sets to new stories, or education modules - this is the day I will get that done!
Wednesday - Free Day! Clean the House! Possibly do some reading for fun. Date Night!
Thursday - Non-Fiction Thursday. Blogging, admin, the stuff I won't do unless I'm forced.
Friday - My new day! Fiction Fridays! woohoo! I get to work on fiction all day! That's it! Just fiction!!!!
Saturday - 3 - 5 in Liz Weir's Barn I need that. Otherwise, work on projects Family Game Night!
Sunday - Work in the garden, sit outside, make sure you enjoy the outside...that's all I'm sayin'
I am looking forward to my new schedule.
I better be.
I doubt I'll be touring again for the next year!
Keep your spirits up!
Wash your hands!
Wear a mask!
Social Distance!
Choose your life!
You've got to live it anyway, you might as well live it on your own terms!
Happy Not-Touring -
Yes, my mind has had to shift on many things. You have opened up some ideas here. Thanks for being fantastic!
ReplyDeleteYou're so an ambivert and I love you for it. Donna Marie
ReplyDeleteYou and this article are brilliant! I was supposed to be packing for New Delhi to be a featured Teller at an International Festival, now 2021? Maybe? Lots to digest, and sift through how more effective my plan could be applying some of your ideas! Thank you for rejuvenating another Teller ~ Hears Crow
ReplyDeleteI am finally catching up on this series. Thank you for it! Our minds are amazingly similar - I also need deadlines and that feeling of impending doom to make things happen. I also see the significant benefit of living with your business manager. I love the way you planned out your days - with themes and goals, rather than specific tasks. When I keep the bigger "why" in mind, it helps me accomplish those little things I hate doing (like writing contracts). Thanks for sharing your insights.
ReplyDelete