20 Comments
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Anna's avatar

Yes please to soup recipe. And I will try the commitment strategy!

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Cara Holland's avatar

I love the idea of thanking past you (or me) for the work that has gone before. I’m definitely going to try it 🙂

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Alyson Hill's avatar

I love a drawn recipe, it’s how I used to ‘write’ them before I had words. Please draw us your lentil and coconut soup!

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J Engel's avatar

Coconut cream and lentils. Yum!!

The analogy between go-to recipes and go-to sketch ideas resonates with me. I’m definitely needing that right now. Thanks!

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Andrew James's avatar

Having a few "things that I do" is useful in any creative endeavour. Glad it helps :)

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Robyn Hepburn's avatar

I can't do "compulsory."

"Compulsory?" snaps my subconscious, "you're saying I don't have a choice? Well, let me prove you wrong." *Sneaks away from school sports day by hiding in a stranger's car.*

I wonder if that's also why I so often skip making dinner and just let the kids eat cereal or toast...

However, I have no trouble drawing every day and writing my newsletter once a month (with no set day to send it)... Maybe because I believe it's a fun optional activity that I get to do, especially when there are important and urgent things on the to-do list.

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Andrew James's avatar

That's so interesting to me, because my brain needs a boss. If I don't force myself to do these things, I will always choose the easy way out.

I don't have trouble drawing every day, but I know that other "more important" things can easily fill my time if I don't make time for it.

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Peggy's avatar

If you are asking for encouragement to draw that lentil soup recipe, then go for it!

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Elaine Thatcher's avatar

Yes, please to the lentil soup recipe! Thanks for the inspiring post!

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Andrew James's avatar

Ok. I am definately drawing it :)

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Susan Gresto's avatar

Always so inspiring, Andrew! I like the way you think. Congrats on milestone #50!

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Andrew James's avatar

Thanks Susan. Only 50 to go!

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Joshua Robinson's avatar

Great ideas! I agree that putting yourself on a schedule is helpful--I had the same goal when I started a weekly Substack. My day of the week has slipped a little, but I've posted 10 straight weeks so far!

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Andrew James's avatar

Good on you!

I love a schedule or a deadline; my brain needs a boss. If there's an option to be lazy, I know I will take it. Removing those choices forces some kind of discipline :)

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Tina Kramer's avatar

Two ice creams could absolutely count as dinner, especially here in the northern hemisphere (northeastern US) where we are currently having a heat wave!

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Andrew James's avatar

Freezing cold in the middle of winter here in New Zealand. Never too cold for icecream though!

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Kimberly Lytle's avatar

Ooh! Lentil soup recipe~ yes please and thank you to future you!

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Allison's avatar

GIVE US THE SOUP

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Postcards From Anywhere's avatar

Oh I love this, the less choice I have the better - if I have the choice it won’t happen. I’m going to try this with substack and photography. One photo everyday. Thanks for the motivation!

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Andrew James's avatar

If I have the choice, it won't happen either. Restriction is freedom! Keeping it simple makes creating so much easier.

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