Ditching Distracting Digital Detritus

In an article by Leif Peng on Today’s Inspiration, there were two quotes that need reading, helping put priorities into proper perspective.

…In his book, ‘On Drawing’ Fawcett wrote, “One who illustrates should give it his best. His stature as an artist is beyond his control, so he will be better for not pondering too much about it. But the technique of his craft is not only under his control, it is also possible of development, so the wise worker will concentrate upon it.” And in last week’s series Austin Briggs said, “… I set about learning to draw, which I never could do before, in spite of the fact that some of my illustrations had been more or less acceptable.”…

Distraction overload is a common theme hitting blogs lately. With ever present, voluntary distractions like Twitter, blog feeds, and inboxes constantly yelping for attention, it’s a wonder we get anything done.

The key word, there, is voluntary. I’ve significantly reduced the number of feeds I’m subscribed to, closed Twitterrific during work hours (mostly, I’m not a robot), and trashed my Gmail notifier.

Instead of getting anxious about how many photos my Flickr friends have uploaded yet unseen by human eyes, how many Tweets have been twatted, what people are saying about me in referral links, and how many unread emails I have begging to be looked at right spanking now, I’m going to practice lifedrawing or work on my graphic novel.

I’m not suggesting you go cold turkey; denying the tubes’s ability to connect with, share with, and be inspired by, others is a bit like deciding the Amish had it right all along. I’m not a luddite. However, I know I need to adjust the ratio of things I make to things I consume.

Hopefully, I have enough self discipline to listen to my own advice and theirs.