Amy, this made me laugh and relate, as someone who used to peer down the subway tracks wondering why the train hadn’t arrived yet and how much longer I’d have to wait. Part of why I started Open Secrets was to have a publishing project that could move as quickly as my mind. Congratulations on the new book and sorry publishing is such a slow process!
This was wonderful! One of my laughable strategies to hurry up my husband is to stare at him as if I was watching an episode of Mrs. Wiggins & Mr. Tudball on Carol Burnett! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBx-9RsnpVE. A pastor of a Presbyterian congregation was asked by the committee deciding his job security, "What is the most important message to bring to our congregation?" He answered..."To slow down". He lost his job as they were looking for a quick answer..."God"! Thank you for the reminder and wisdom!
I also belong to the "perpertually impatient." Wasn't so bad when I was a cardiologist but not great for my kids...Still hard to slow down. Keeping on it, though. Thanks for your piece as a great reminder for daily life and for a peek at what lies ahead in writing and publishing a book.
I resonated with this piece so much. Perpetually impatient. You didn't extend the essay to time wasted in meetings but that could be a topic all on its own
My husband is always waiting on me to leave, and by the way, I'm on time! He gets ready early and then wants to leave early. LOL. Patience is something I was graced with and he was not. But, he has other gifts, so there you go. :)
Patience is a virtue I never had. Once at an interview for a teaching job in Chinatown, LA, the principal made endless small talk. Finally I said, "Do you have any questions?" I got the job, but didn't take it.
Unfortunately, the writing game moves at a snail's pace, which I hate, but have accepted now. Perhaps because I am more invested in the outcome. Who knows?
Still, people who don't do what they say they will, ones who keep me waiting, those who don't arrive on time irritate the hell out of me. And editors who don't respond?? Don't get me started on their rudeness.
Oh, yes, Diane. And the endless, aimless small talk....? I know people are being friendly, or covering their own nervousness, but when I'm not my best (radically empathetic) self, the small talk drives me nuts. Get to the point, already, will ya??
Loved this! And congrats on the novel. I especially like your mantra about learning "to value the marathon over the sprint." The older I get, the more those words resonate.
Amy, this made me laugh and relate, as someone who used to peer down the subway tracks wondering why the train hadn’t arrived yet and how much longer I’d have to wait. Part of why I started Open Secrets was to have a publishing project that could move as quickly as my mind. Congratulations on the new book and sorry publishing is such a slow process!
This was wonderful! One of my laughable strategies to hurry up my husband is to stare at him as if I was watching an episode of Mrs. Wiggins & Mr. Tudball on Carol Burnett! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBx-9RsnpVE. A pastor of a Presbyterian congregation was asked by the committee deciding his job security, "What is the most important message to bring to our congregation?" He answered..."To slow down". He lost his job as they were looking for a quick answer..."God"! Thank you for the reminder and wisdom!
I also belong to the "perpertually impatient." Wasn't so bad when I was a cardiologist but not great for my kids...Still hard to slow down. Keeping on it, though. Thanks for your piece as a great reminder for daily life and for a peek at what lies ahead in writing and publishing a book.
Oh, you are in for a world of slow in publishing. Time to locate your patience gene!
Think I’ll need gene therapy 😝
I'll splice that right in for ya.
I’m in!
I resonated with this piece so much. Perpetually impatient. You didn't extend the essay to time wasted in meetings but that could be a topic all on its own
Oh, I did, though! Near the beginning of the piece...Time wasted in meetings is one of my biggest pet peeves!
My husband is always waiting on me to leave, and by the way, I'm on time! He gets ready early and then wants to leave early. LOL. Patience is something I was graced with and he was not. But, he has other gifts, so there you go. :)
It's always somethin'! :)
Patience is a virtue I never had. Once at an interview for a teaching job in Chinatown, LA, the principal made endless small talk. Finally I said, "Do you have any questions?" I got the job, but didn't take it.
Unfortunately, the writing game moves at a snail's pace, which I hate, but have accepted now. Perhaps because I am more invested in the outcome. Who knows?
Still, people who don't do what they say they will, ones who keep me waiting, those who don't arrive on time irritate the hell out of me. And editors who don't respond?? Don't get me started on their rudeness.
Oh, yes, Diane. And the endless, aimless small talk....? I know people are being friendly, or covering their own nervousness, but when I'm not my best (radically empathetic) self, the small talk drives me nuts. Get to the point, already, will ya??
Especially during interviews and other "important" instances......YES, yes, yes!
Loved this! And congrats on the novel. I especially like your mantra about learning "to value the marathon over the sprint." The older I get, the more those words resonate.
If advancing age teaches us anything, it's learning how to go the distance...without racing through it all. Thanks for reading!
This speaks to me - and I have to confess I have has less success at assuaging my impatience.
Yeah, well, I'm still trying...!!! Some days I'm more patient than others.