Note: This is a slightly adapted version of the written summary for one of the lessons in my course, Writing For Money: A Course For INFP Writers.
This comes from the lesson called “When To Abandon Your Work.” You can view the entire curriculum and access two free preview lessons, “Dealing with Self-Doubt” and “Overwhelm and Inertia,” by checking out the sign-up page.
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As a writer, completing your work is often emphasized as the ultimate goal, but sometimes, letting go can be just as important. In this blog post, we’ll explore the instances when it’s time to abandon a project and move on to something new.
Whether you’ve lost connection to your work or have other pressing priorities, knowing when to let go can be liberating and help you regain your creative energy. So, let’s dive in and discover when it’s okay to abandon your work.
Losing Connection
There may come a time when you no longer feel connected to a project you once poured your heart into. It could be due to a shift in your interests, personal growth, or simply a change in circumstances. You’ll notice this disconnection when you take a break from the project but don’t return feeling refreshed or motivated.
If you find yourself stuck in an energy lull and none of the strategies to overcome it work, it might be a sign that it’s time to let go. Trust your intuition and reflect on your feelings towards the project. If it no longer resonates with you, it’s okay to move on.
Prioritizing What Matters
We often find ourselves juggling multiple projects, each vying for our attention. However, sometimes, we need to recognize that certain endeavors are hindering our progress on more significant priorities.
Perhaps there are other projects that bring in more income or demand immediate attention. In such cases, it’s essential to reassess and allocate your energy where it will have the most impact. It may be a tough decision, especially if you’ve already invested time and effort, but cutting your losses can be the best way forward.
Overcoming Resistance
Letting go of a project can be emotionally challenging, particularly when you’ve invested a substantial amount of effort into it. The thought of abandoning all your hard work can be distressing.
However, it’s crucial to understand that abandoning a project doesn’t mean it’s forever. It might just be a temporary pause or a chance to explore other avenues.
Remember, you never know what the future holds. Sometimes, setting a project aside and returning to it when the time is right can breathe new life into your creativity.
A Personal Example
About a year ago, I faced a difficult decision. I had been working on a novel for four years, and despite being emotionally connected to it, I realized it was taking up too much of my time and energy.
This realization came to me through recurring dreams that were connected to the novel. Yep, this is actually true. I kept having those “school anxiety” dreams where you realize you haven’t been to class all semester. I eventually connected it to the novel I was working on. But the even crazier thing is that when I shelved the novel, the dreams stopped.
Dream analysis aside, it was painful to consider leaving behind 65,000 words of progress, but I made the decision to shelve the project– at least temporarily. Since then, I’ve worked on other projects, released new work, and even though I occasionally revisit the novel, I know it was the right choice at that time. Sometimes, letting go allows us to create space for new opportunities.
Knowing when to abandon a project is an essential skill for any creative individual. We must be willing to recognize when we’ve lost our connection to a project or when other priorities demand our attention. Although it can be difficult to let go, it often leads to renewed inspiration and growth. Remember, abandoning doesn’t mean forever, and you may find yourself returning to a project at some point. So, embrace the freedom of letting go and trust that it’s all part of your creative journey.
Amanda Linehan is the author of Productivity For INFPs. She is an independent author, coach, and INFP, who has published six full-length books and has been read in 113 countries. Amanda was a speaker at the INF Summit in February 2020. Learn more about her Productivity For INFPs Online Course on the course page.
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