Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • How do you stay focused? >
  • How do you stay focused?

  • How do you stay focused?

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 12-21-2010, 05:53 AM
      #21  
    Senior Member
     
    davidwent's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Dec 2010
    Location: Ayer Ma.
    Posts: 489
    Default

    Put your laptop in the freezer! LOL
    David
    davidwent is offline  
    Old 12-21-2010, 06:04 AM
      #22  
    Member
     
    Join Date: Jan 2009
    Location: New York
    Posts: 74
    Default

    WOW! I thought it was only me! It seems that when I start something I am obsessive about it for a few days, then POW loose interest. If I make a mistake, that's it.. finished with project. I wander around the house and get nothing done. Like you.. computer, phone, etc. I know that I have SAD and this becomes my excuse. Also I have many projects started and once I go onto another I totally loose interest in the one before. I have a new machine and all the notions you can think of. But...no motivation to get anything finished. Part of my problem is that there is no one who I can give a finished project to that would appreciate the time, money and effort that went into it. My family could care less. . I am pretty new at this and not to good at it, although I have at least 4 things I am proud of. . I will look at all the suggestions and try some. LOL
    singalong is offline  
    Old 12-21-2010, 06:19 AM
      #23  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Jun 2010
    Location: Montreal
    Posts: 376
    Default

    It's just so tempting to drop the problem solving and start something else! Sticking with a problem until it's solved is the only way I can keep myself from being distracted by a feather blowing by! And sometimes the answer doesn't come immediately. I guess the best thing is to not get yourself in too deep with so many things to finish everything becomes impossible. Takes a lot of impulse and self control.
    Maurene is offline  
    Old 12-21-2010, 06:25 AM
      #24  
    Junior Member
     
    Join Date: Dec 2010
    Location: near San Antonio
    Posts: 138
    Default

    I use a spiral of graph paper for a quilting book and put everything in it - pictures of blocks, layouts for quilts, notes for cutting and yardage, etc.

    Right now, I believe I have three or four projects in there that are either in progress or on the chalkboard for after X project is done.

    Right now, I'm looking forward to going back to a baby quilt I was working on before I got caught up in Christmas prezzies. Once that's done, I'm looking forward to doing a wedding quilt. After that, it's back to my quilted pillows...and the list goes on. If you tell yourself, "This project is shelved until I finish this other one," you're more motivated to finish the one so you can get to the other. Does that make sense?

    There is something to be said for over-creating, lol.
    Sloan Quinn is offline  
    Old 12-21-2010, 06:56 AM
      #25  
    Super Member
     
    happymrs's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Oct 2010
    Location: NC
    Posts: 1,230
    Default

    I can stay in my studio forever, once i get in there, lol. Out here, too many distractions, like you mentioned. I can keep quilting till my back starts bothering me too much, or I am starving to death, lol, or my pups need a break. Otherwise, I do pretty good in there. Wish I could stay focused when trying to clean, but it just doesn't hold my interest, so I am easily distracted in that dept., & my house shows it, lol... What can I say, my heart, & mind, belong to quilting!...
    happymrs is offline  
    Old 12-21-2010, 07:37 AM
      #26  
    Member
     
    Blinker's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Aug 2010
    Location: Woodstock, IL
    Posts: 4
    Default

    A deadline (real or imagined) - even if I set it myself - helps. Like "I should finish that blue quilt before Christmas." Then after it's done, move on to another. Pack away other projects until you get one or two done, then move on to some UFO's or new projects. Works for me.
    Blinker is offline  
    Old 12-21-2010, 08:05 AM
      #27  
    Super Member
     
    Mariah's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2010
    Location: Pittsburg, Kansas
    Posts: 1,691
    Default

    Make a list of what you want to accomplish; your goals. Then just make yourself stay on track. I am the same way, and this has helped me.
    Merry Christmas!
    Mariah.
    Mariah is offline  
    Old 12-21-2010, 08:48 AM
      #28  
    Member
     
    Join Date: Sep 2010
    Location: Byron Ga.
    Posts: 10
    Default

    Really the only way I can stay focused is to take a class or sew with my friend on a project.
    doubblec is offline  
    Old 12-21-2010, 09:28 AM
      #29  
    Super Member
     
    Nanjun's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2010
    Location: Louisiana
    Posts: 2,157
    Default

    Originally Posted by QuiltnCowgirl
    I have the opposite problem. I start sewing and can't quit. Hence the couple of all-nighters I did last week. I do periodically wander out of my sewing room & come check for new posts here. I guess that counts as taking a break?
    I take my breaks here at the computer also.I call it resting,lol
    Nanjun is offline  
    Old 12-21-2010, 09:42 AM
      #30  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Apr 2009
    Location: Bushkill, Pa
    Posts: 534
    Default

    The keyword is progress. If you make progress forward
    on a project everyday, I think that's great. I know for
    myself if I get too obsessed with something and don't
    want to stop and do something else, I start getting sloppy, and you can't get sloppy in quilting. The project won't
    turn out properly. Doing two or three blocks a day is
    fine with me. Don't see anything wrong with it.

    Two years from now when the quilt is done, do you think it's going to matter how long it took you to get there? You'll already be on to other projects and will have forgotten how long it took to do.

    Keep up the good work.
    winia is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    sunni
    Main
    63
    07-12-2011 10:40 AM
    stitchinwitch
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    75
    09-05-2010 02:16 PM
    Lneal
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    38
    04-22-2010 07:59 PM
    HeatherQuilts
    Main
    6
    03-09-2010 02:26 PM
    Butterfli19
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    12
    02-07-2010 07:49 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter