As I sat at my desk designing a new project I was a little stumped for some new and original ideas. The project is a tough one and quite different for me.
I scratched my head and stared at the blank paper for a while...
... and then it hit me! My name IS dan, and I CAN DO anything.
From that moment on it went easier. The ideas just flowed like water. In a couple of hours the project was done.
Actually it didn't go like that. I struggled for hours and hours. Crumpled paper still surrounds my desk.
But I did struggle through and as I did the ideas got better and better. Slowly the many puzzle pieces fit together. I'm still not quite finished yet, but that should happen later today if all goes according to plan (which it never does).
I just have to keep reminding myself.... my name IS dan.
-dan
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
well my name isnt dan but I can relate. Sometimes I do not have a clear visual of a project and that will paralize me to "put it off" and usually get myself in trouble.
When I am at the point I am forced to tackle projets like that I start with any idea, usually the first idea is so far from the end result but it's just the starting to get the ideas flowing that is the important part.
It has taken me many years to figure this out, I hope I finally have learned my lesson . lol
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
Dan... You Da MAN. Love...JILL
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
Whenever I have a mental block, I stop what I'm doing and move on to something different. Sometimes, it's a smoke break, other times I move on to a different project. Then the idea hits me and I go back to the original project. Even a creative work space can be the problem. A different environment or different thoughts get the mental gears turning again.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
I agree, sometimes you have to step back and view it from a distance, gives a different perspective.
Roger Posted by Tasmus (Member # 445) on :
Yeah, but what do ya do when yer name is BARRY and the most likely rhyme is HAIRY?
not quite as motivational..... lol
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
I may try a different spin on that when I get a mental block.
A few years ago I read a book on the mental game to improve my bowling. The author said to say to yourself, I can beat anybody. I CAN beat anybody. I can BEAT anybody. I can beat ANYBODY. The idea was to put the emphasis on the capitalized words. I tried it for the first time as I was driving to a bowling tournament. I won that tournament.
How about this.
"I" can design an award winning sign. I "CAN" design an award winning sign, etc. etc.
It's worth a try. Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
The problem with this particular project is I had sat down to design it many times over the last few months. And then stepped back to think things through once more. Many times.
But this time it was different... The deadline is THIS week.
It's funny how deadlines are ALWAYS the very best motivator!
And like always, I WILL make it too... in grand style.
-dan
Posted by Linda Schmidt (Member # 2337) on :
Sounds familiar Dan- isn't it "I think I Dan, I think I Dan". Posted by Jay Allen (Member # 195) on :
Dan,
Doesn't D-A-N stand for "Done at Night"?
I see small footsteps ......
(refers to a story Dan told me in Banff in 1998)
So it's: My name IS Done-At-Night!!
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Jay
I have certainly mellowed some over the years... I USED to be impatient. Now I can wait 10-15 minutes before I have to take matters into my own hands to get something done.
The story Jay refers to is when I was doing a lot of public projects, mostly on a voluntary basis, in the little town of Chemainus on Vancouver Island. They like just about everywhere suffer from a goverment bureaucracy that makes even the simplest of projects take forever.
And I've found that it takes less effort to get forgiven than to get permission in most cases. It seems I somehow got quite a reputation of doing things at night when the authorities were away from their desks.
Inevidably, after each project I would get 'the phone call' the next day. I would go down to the city administrator's office and hear the lecture once more... about proper channels, and rules, regulations and even permits and such.
I'd nod my head respectfully and PROMISE to do better next time. As I went out the door the administator ( a good friend ) would remind me that he was only doing his job, for he had to act on phone calls he got complaining about my actions. (I knew who phoned of course, as always)
And then he would give me a big pat on the back and encourage me to 'KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK". We would both smile knowingly for we knew I'd be back in his office for another 'visit' before long.
Pretty soon it became widely known that my name was really an acronym for 'done at night' or 'dan' for short.
And I would keep my garage doors closed when I was at work on the next project so no one would know what I was up to. Until dark that is...
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
![[Dunno]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
lol
![[Applause]](graemlins/clap.gif)