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Taryn Skipper's avatar

I love this and I feel seen. One of the productivity theories I've studied argued that you can make progress on up to three projects at once. When all the others say to focus on one thing, three is great. Right now I have 2 books (one on deadline) and 7 art commissions lined up and I'm finishing up a real estate deal. That's more than 3, so I can't do the orchestra or yake bass lessons or learn sign language right now and I'm not progressing in martial arts, but no one ever said I can't switch back later. :)

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Sarah Allen's avatar

hahaha okay now /I/ feel seen!! You sound like me!! I've got three middle grade novels, a graphic chapter book, and an adult novel in the works, then art classes and song-writing, so I just have to wait until later to do all the other things. I love your list so much, and I can't wait for your books!!

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Meg's avatar

Love your newsletters, and love that you call the voice Screwtape. One of my favorite books ever, and calling it that, like you said, reminds us of what is true vs what source those words come from.

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Sarah Allen's avatar

Yes!! That book changed my life, I love it so much. And THANK YOU!!

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Amy Makechnie's avatar

Totally hear this! I'm a generalist who often has to hush Screwtape..though I'm also prone to taking on or dreaming about way too many things (but maybe that's just the creative mind being creative!) And I love Jim Gaffigan :)

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Sarah Allen's avatar

So too many things!! But we try :) and Jim Gaffigan is the best!

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Julie Vick's avatar

I am also a generalist and have to fight the "stay in your lane" voice a lot. but it's true that making yourself stay in your lane for a project that does not interest you can be really painful. Thanks for the shout out to my typo piece too :)

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Sarah Allen's avatar

Exactly! Yay for all us generalists :) And that piece was brilliant, one of those that made me wish I'd written it!

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Julie Vick's avatar

❤️ Thank you!

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Misha Gerrick's avatar

I agree with you. I'm very much a generalist and it honestly annoys me when all the advice out there feels like "you too can be a success. All you need to do is pick one thing and sacrifice all the other things you love to do."

>:-(

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Sarah Allen's avatar

Exactly!!! And then I get so stubborn about that it’s harder to listen to my own voice telling me which things I really do want to do.

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Meaghan McIsaac's avatar

YESSSSSSS SARAH!!!!! Thanks so much for the shout out and I could not agree more. I feel all of this - there are no lanes!

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Sarah Allen's avatar

Hehehe thank you!!! NO LAAAANES!!!

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