There's also the issue of Construal Level Theory, which is the theory that the farther away something is (in time or distance), the more abstract our thinking about it gets. Before we first start a project, it can seem amazing and exciting. There are countless potential branches and avenues to getting from point A to point B, and the our minds cherish the allure of creativity and the abstract idea of converting those ideas into a cohesive, beautiful whole. But once the project begins, having to consider the minutiae causes the our view of the project to shift. According to CLT, our brains literally perceive those projects as different objects, and if we do not learn to switch our brain's mode, it can be immensely frustrating. Some people don't like doing all of that self-regulation and/or lack the executive functioning skills to make that switch, and that is why they flutter from project to project, seeking out only the part that gives them the gratification they're seeking.

I'm very much familiar with this concept! I think having a place to set aside ideas to return to later has worked really well for me. In the TV show "Felicity," Greg Grunberg's character, Sean, carries around an idea book with him everywhere ... at one point it's stolen, or he loses it, and goes a wee bit batty. But, the idea works ... just getting that stuff out of my head and down on paper SOMEWHERE allows me to focus on what has to be finished now. I also recently stumbled on the idea of a certain portion of the population being what's known as "scanners." The term was suggested by a woman named Barbara Sher. You'll see shades of Steven Pressfield and Julia Cameron in her breakdowns, but the "label," if you will, is unique. If you find yourself falling victim to "Shiny Object Syndrome" you'll find her book and the whole concept incredibly refreshing. Here's a video of her in Germany talking about planning. The tools she suggests to manage this personality type are simple as heck, but totally work ... like, for example, a multi-year calendar. Go figure. A calendar. It makes a difference, though, 'cause it's right in front of you every day. I just bought a five-year calendar to help me stack my goals and projects ... you can grab one on Amazon. Good stuff. Thanks for writing about this, Scott. I think a TON of creative people have this difficulty. ;-)

Jim, perhaps the CLT helps explain that observation I heard Woody Allen say where he suggested that when he first has a movie idea, he likes it 100%, when he scripts it, down to 75%, shoots it, 50%, and by the time the movie is done, 25% I suspect this theory is accurate as this is a real problem for some people. For more information on CLT, go here

Thanks for those observations and links to resources. While I don't think I'm particularly prone to SOS, I have completely embraced using a calendar as part of my creative and writing life. I have so many things going on in so many different arenas of my work life -- writing, blogging, teaching -- the ONLY way I've found I can keep track of everything and plan my time is to use a calendar. The 5-year calendar is interesting. I may include that in something I do here on the blog every December: Inviting people to look back on what we've accomplished creatively in the previous 12 months, then laying out what our goals are for the upcoming year. Maybe it would be good to include a 5 year plan. Hm... Thanks for that. Good food for thought!

My pleasure, Scott. It's nice to see you're using a calendar as well ... funny how we've migrated away from them as a culture. For a rabid researcher like me, being online is like being in a giant library - great when I need to research, not so when other stuff needs gettin' done. So, I'm embracing my inner Luddite and am back to paper for notes, writing and calendaring- it still works!