“Planning for a project and doing the actual work are two separate efforts.” – Lauren Hom

To start, I am completely aware of the potential contrast that this might have to my last Creativity post. I cover that here too, don’t worry.

This quote hit me right in the face. It is so true.

I read an article a few years back saying something along the lines of “I spend more time researching my hobbies than I do actually doing my hobbies.” I find that this is completely true for me. In between working on projects I am looking up knitting patterns, new markers and art supplies, researching new ways to improve my process, looking up why my stupid fine liners dry around the side of the felt tips so I have to hold them perpendicular to the paper to get any ink out (seriously, save me… anyone? I can’t figure it out… all brands, all but the tips dry out… siiiiiiiigh).

I also saw a quote this week that said: “Knitting and buying yarn are two different hobbies.” Can confirm. The same is true for art supplies, books and reading, and so many more I am sure.

Anyway, I think that this is a key part to the execution of any project, but recognizing the difference between planning and execution will save your sanity, I promise.

Anyone how knows me has seen me, at least once, dive right off the deep end with a project. I just learned to knit, I think I’ll try testing knitting. Sure, why not? I like the design of cards. Maybe I’ll try a whole tarot deck! If there’s a “hardest way to learn something” something, you know I tried that first thing haha. Sometimes it works, but usually it puts me in an area of frustration, “WHY WON’T THIS WORK?”. First, you’re starting with the most difficult thing you can do in this and you don’t know how to do it. Everyone has to start at the beginning for a reason. There is zero shame in this. This is for me just as much as it is for you 😀

In my experience, any large efforts cannot have a successful final product without some sort of planning. Sometimes they go hand and hand and are a lot of fun, sometimes I like one part more than the other. But the planning is really important, it helps you to see where your problem areas might be and brace you for some road bumps, or advantages you’ll run into because of your planning process. Here’s what I mean.

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