Author: Fallton Havenstonne

Losing enthusiasm for things is such a natural part of life. Whether it be a trend, a TV series, a book, or a topic we’ve studied, it happens as we go through life.

But with creative projects, it can happen during the creative process, or even before finishing it. Each project I’ve worked on has, let’s say, a battery life. That battery life can be a month, two months, three months, etc., depending on the scope of the story. During this time, I’m able to focus on it and put all my energy into it. But after a while, the battery life decreases, and my enthusiasm wanes with it.

At that point, I just want to be finished with the story. I’m not interested in expanding the universe or adding more chapters to it. I’m ready to wrap it up and call it a day. Even though I know there are a lot of things to work on (or edit), it’s more of a chore than something I’m happy to work on.

But what keeps me going are new ideas. If I can introduce new ideas into the story ,it keeps the story alive and fresh. I feel more invigorated, where each day of writing is a discovery–an opportunity to explore and uncover secrets and mysteries. But if the ideas feel stale or static, the process is more like painting-by-numbers. I’m simply filling in the blanks rather than actively creating anew each day.

To be enthusiastic about a story, I need to feel challenged by it, to have problems to solve that advance the ideas, the characters, and the plot. It must resonate with me, and be a worthwhile story that I can continuously improve and refine.

When we’re waiting, we might glance at our phones, try to appear occupied, or be engaged in an epic adventure in our imagination.

What we do with the time while we’re waiting matters. If we get frustrated while we’re waiting (such as in traffic), then we’re not accomplishing anything at all. But if we use that time to reflect on creative or productive ideas we have, we might discover things about them we hadn’t known before.

What we do while we’re waiting is up to us. If we’re waiting in line to pay for something in a store, we might play a game on our phones, or check our emails. Or we might look around and observe our surroundings–think about how things are setup, the aesthetics, etc.

I look at waiting as an opportunity to solve problems that I’m wrestling with. I look at them from different angles, think of all the alternatives, and find the best solution for them. Usually it’s either a practical or a creative problem–both of which are challenging to solve.

Solving practical problems is like having a debate in my mind in which I’m considering every logistical possibility. Creative ideas require me to think about the needs of the story, the needs of the characters, and how to make them interesting and engaging.

In essence, what we do while we’re waiting depends on how we look at waiting. Is waiting just a dull activity, or is it an opportunity to think of something new–find a solution to a problem?

Sometimes you’re not sure about what you want to eat on a Friday night. It’s not that you don’t have options, but that there is nothing definitive in your mind. It’s kind of up in the air since there is no urgent need to make a decision.

This can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on the situation and context. It’s fine to not be sure with big decisions, since you’ll need to consider them carefully. But it’s not good to be unsure when the moment requires a decision, such as when you’re driving and you have to decide whether to go somewhere or not.

The only way around this is to know what you like or don’t like in many situations. Not in terms of specifics, but in general terms.

When you’re thinking about what to eat for dinner, it’s good to have a general idea of what kinds of food you like, and whether you want to dine out or dine in. When deciding on what movie or TV show to watch, it’s good to know what types of movies or shows you like, and which ones you don’t. This will save a lot of time.

Of course, not all decisions need to be made in a blink of an eye. Some shouldn’t be made in a split second, especially if it’s a major decision. But if you spend too much time making a decision, you might end up not making a decision at all–which is a decision.

I’m happy when I’m working on something such as writing or editing a book (although to be honest, I’d prefer to write than edit). The work I’m referring to isn’t restricted to a career, but it can be a hobby, a goal, a pursuit, etc.

When I’m idle or just relaxing, I can feel restless after a while. After a certain point, I feel like I want to get up and create something. I do not want to sit around and waste time. I want to make something of myself–express myself, my ideas, through art.

Of course, that is not to say that resting or leisure activities is bad. Not at all. Everyone needs time to rest and relax, as well as a vacation.

But what I’m referring to is the pursuit of a goal, such as finishing a book. When I finish a book, it brings a sense of fulfillment–a wave of happiness where I feel complete–that things are as they should be. This even extends to creating content for my website, not to mention other hobbies such as drawing or solving puzzles, etc.

It must be said that the process of creating something comes with its own uphill battles. Writing a book isn’t easy, and even writing this blog post will require edits where I’m questioning my word use, grammar, etc.

But when I complete a goal, it feels like the battle has been surmounted. And when I finish the book, it’s as if the war is over. The feeling of relief and satisfaction is its own reward.

We need to find moderation in the work we do, as well as the time we spend relaxing and in our leisure activities. But in the end, having goals give our lives purpose, and when we fulfill them, it fills us with great happiness.

Happy New Year everyone!

I look forward to a great new year, and that we may find peace and happiness this year, as well as seek and pursue new and worthwhile goals.

It’s that time of year again.

It’s the day we celebrate the start of a new beginning. We make New Year’s Resolutions to set goals for ourselves. Last year, my goal was to write four novels, which I did. They’re possible to achieve if we work hard at them, to stay dedicated and persistent.

It’s also that time of year where we begin to look back at how much has happened. All of us are going through something. All of us need hope for a better tomorrow.

When we choose goals, they can either be long term or short term. Goals can be divided into weeks, months, or years. An example of a long term goal is paying something off over several years, such as a car. A monthly goal can be saving up a certain amount of money. A weekly goal can be finishing up a book that we’re at the end of.

Our goals depend on the life we want to live. Because goals lead us to achievements, we choose goals based on where we want to be in life. We choose them because they are of benefit to us. We see the destination as a place that will improve our life, whether that means advancing our career, completing a project, or paying off debt.

Goals vary from person to person because all of us are at a different place in life. They must be realistic and attainable. They must be something that we can take steps toward achieving. If we want to be in a better place, we have to think about our goals carefully, for the goals we choose will shape the course of our life.