Gaining TractionAccidental Creative

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Gaining Traction

By Todd Henry

My family just returned from a week-long vacation on Lake Erie. It was good to rest and get away from the fray, though anyone with small children will agree that vacations often feel more like packing up your life and moving it to a less convenient place. Still, the break from things like e-mail, the pressure to produce and the relational demands of everyday work was welcome.

Now that I’m back, the challenge has been regaining traction. Re-entry always feels a bit like sitting in a car on a patch of ice hoping for any kind of opposable surface. This is the same feeling that is often present at the beginning of a big project. Where to begin?

First, I’m so thankful for the practices I’ve built into my life. Without them, I would be awash right now in a sea of e-mail and tasks. These practices in the areas of time, energy, stimuli, focus and relationships are like salt on the ice, giving me points of friction.

Second, I’m thankful for the people in my life who help me stay focused in the midst of what often feels like chaos.

Finally, I’m thankful to the great AC community and the very kind e-mails I’ve been receiving lately. It means a ton to know that the podcast and site are helpful.

I’m wrapping up the first draft of the AC book. It’s due to the publisher on September 1, and I’m hoping to have it finished in the next week so I can sit with it for a while. If there is anything that’s been helpful that you think MUST be included, please let me know.

In my Stimulus Queue: I recently read The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working by Tony Schwartz. Many of you heard our recent interview with Tony, and I can’t recommend this book enough to anyone who is feeling a little…stretched…thin. I’ve been interested recently in the effects of celebrity culture on the American mindset, so I’ve just begun Empire Of Illusion by Chris Hedges. More to come on this subject.

It’s great to be back, and as always, it’s great to be creating with you!

About Todd Henry

Todd is the founder of Accidental Creative, the author of The Accidental Creative: How To Be Brilliant at a Moment's Notice, and an in-demand speaker and consultant for creative teams. Connect with him on Twitter or Facebook.

THE BOOK:

Comments

http://www.nancid.net Nancy Cameron

Welcome back to reality! Great to take a break which allows for refocus. With respect to your book, as in all things creative, it’s usually best to make it, then move away from it, and come back to it when you can see it with fresh eyes. Works for me every time and I see things differently (good and changable). Just a thought for a Tuesday…

http://www.accidentalcreative.com/members/toddhenry/ Todd Henry

Thanks Nancy! I’ve noticed that book writing tends to go in spurts – two chapters in a week, then nothing for a week, then a few more, etc. Strange, but very consistent with a rhythmic workflow, no?

http://cdhrandomfits.blogspot.com/ SeaEych

For the book, I really think that the “Rails” podcast was one of my favorites. I’ve passed it out to tons of friends – not a lot of them, just my fattest friends so the weight adds up really quickly, nonetheless, I’ve shared it with people and I think it’s my favorite.

http://www.accidentalcreative.com/members/toddhenry/ Todd Henry

“Rails” definitely made it into the chapter on Focus. I need to listen to that one myself on a regular basis… :)

http://www.mikewatters.com Mike

Good luck with the book. I’ve been sharing the AC podcast with everyone I know, so I hope to see many new episodes in your future… once you’ve had some time for rest and renewal!

http://www.accidentalcreative.com/members/toddhenry/ Todd Henry

Thanks Mike! That means a ton. There are many more episodes on the way soon…a few interviews and few other things up our sleeve… :)

http://www.dialogvisual.com Wild Cherry

I just returned from holiday and I feel SO energized! But I don’t have children and I went away for two weeks which gave me longer to really disconnect. It’s taken me a while to get traction also but I feel ready to scale mountains! I think we all to often underestimate the importance of taking a real break especially if we are self-employed but there is nothing like distance to lend perspective.

Good luck with your book, it’s bound to be awesome and I promise to tweet it loudly! Can’t wait to read it :)

http://www.accidentalcreative.com/members/toddhenry/ Todd Henry

Thanks so much – I’m in the final push of finishing the manuscript and it’s kind of that “I’ve lost perspective on whether or not this is any good” phase. That always happens with any kind of creating, but it’s especially poignant near the end of a nine month process… :)