Too Many Mind

There's a scene in the movie where The Last Samurai where one of the characters mentions to another that he has "too many mind". In other words. the person he is talking to has too many things on his mind instead of focusing on a singular task. This is something I can completely relate to but unfortunately can't control.

I have often been praised for being talented because of the number of disciplines I engage myself in. Sadly, however, that is only half the story. What people don't realise is that when you do as many crafts as I do,  it becomes very difficult to concentrate on just one task.

Let me explain. I'm a writer, composer, sound designer, 3D animator and poet. I also enjoy knitting, drawing, painting and cross-stitch. When I have my writer's hat on, I write novels, stage plays, screenplays and audio plays. While most people have one passion (like my husband Paul who is a musician), I have enough to give myself a headache just thinking about them.

My problem is that I have so many ideas running though my head at any given time that I get very easily distracted. I might be in the middle of something and an idea will pop into my head, demanding immediate attention. I find that if I decide to wait until I finish my current task, the idea that shouted out for attention fades away and I end up completely forgetting what is was to begin with.

For years, I've struggled with this issue. My last novel took nearly 7 years to complete - not because I was lazy but because I was tackling several other tasks in the meantime.

So, there you have it. I don't know if there's a name for what I struggle with and I'm the only person I know who does. I have so many unfinished projects begging for attention but I'll keep plodding along until I complete them - one day.