Don't get caught up
Storytelling stuff worth sharing
First off, thank you! So many of you hopped on over to my newly minted social media pages. I’m getting a better hang of reels, so keep following and sharing for all sorts of cool storytelling tips!
Here are the direct links one more time for @jasoncannon_storycoach.
And stayed tuned… that YouTube channel? Video podcasts will be coming by summer!
Storytelling tip o’ the week
I love lists. Especially checklists. Checking boxes gives me shivers.
My beloved partner Rebecca occasionally calls me on it, because sometimes I’ll get so enamored with checking boxes that I’ll forget to, y’know, be present.
My current checklist tool of choice is an app called ToDoist. You can build projects, calendar your day, add sub-tasks to tasks, and sub-tasks to sub-tasks—rabbit holes galore! It’s got some nifty AI baked in, so you can set durations, deadlines, and routines.
You can even make duplicates, so I have a grocery list template that I can copy and edit as needed for each week’s menu.
If you’re into color coding (for some reason, I am not), you can go nuts.
And every time you check the box—or in this case, click the circle—it makes the most satisfying little swoopy-snap sound.
By slapping something into ToDoist, I reclaim brain space and bandwidth. Lists keep me focused.
I also have a set of journals. I have my hardback Leuchtturm1917 daily Logbook, akin to what the sailors once used to track how far they travelled each day. It’s where I record events and “Dear Diary” my feelings.
I have my brown softback Storybook, which is an idea catcher and doodle space. It lives in my sling, always ready to gobble down inspiration when and wherever it appears.
And I have my purple softback Workbook. This sucker is my pack mule. It lives on my desk, but also slides in my sling next to the Storybook whenever I’m off on a work-related adventure.
This Workbook is what I use to take notes during meetings or classes, run calculations, all that business-y stuff.
If the Logbook is for reflection, and the Storybook is for creativity, then the Workbook is for logistics.
The Workbook also contains—you guessed it—lists. These are quick lists. My playbook (oooh… maybe I need a PLAYbook!) for tasks to knock out over the next couple hours.
Like right now my Workbook is open in front of me, and it says: “Texts. Scott. Tofu. Newsletter. AirBnB.” Each entry reminds me of a task that needs to get done short-term. And while I don’t get a swoopy-snap when I complete one, I do get the pleasure of marking it off with a few swipes of a pen.
But here’s the thing about all these lists. As useful as they are, I far too often find myself putting the list before the art. As in, I’ll bust my butt to get “caught up” before I start writing.
And boy oh boy is that entirely backward.
I don’t think I’m alone here. I think many people who tell stories or do creative work for a living make the mistake of thinking: If only I can clear my to-do list, if only I can get caught up on all the business stuff, THEN I’ll be able to write. THEN I’ll have enough bandwidth to do my art.
But that’s not how it works.
Because you will never be caught up.
Let me say that again, to myself.
JASON. You will NEVER be CAUGHT UP.
And even if by some miracle I did catch up, I’d be so wiped out I wouldn’t have the energy left to create.
Plus, tasks fornicate like bunny rabbits overnight. I’m just gonna wake up to another bulging to-do list.
It’s so easy to get caught up in catching up.
Your art, whatever it is, has to come first. Catching up first is you avoiding doing your art.
And I say this as someone who has to remind himself of this weekly. Daily. Hourly?
Hmmm. Maybe I should put a recurring task into ToDoist to remind myself not to get caught up in ToDoist. If such a feedback loop doesn’t implode on itself like an interdimensional wormhole, will I still get a swoopy-snap?
Do your art first. Create first. The tasks and lists will always be there.
Once more, to myself.
JASON. The world doesn’t need a bunch of checked boxes. It needs your story.
Task Force Pineapple
You’ve heard me talk a lot about the play LAST OUT: ELEGY OF A GREEN BERET.
That project is now part of a larger, non-profit initiative called TASK FORCE PINEAPPLE.
This video gives a tremendous overview. It is one of the highlights of my career to be working with this team.
The Page&Stage Podcast
A reminder to check out the most recent episode, featuring one of the awesome dudes you just saw in that video above!
Michael Broderick's journey is an extraordinary testament to embracing diverse life experiences. From serving four years in the Marines to pursuing punk rock dreams in New York City during the '90s, Michael has embraced a journey of constant transformation. His dedication to acting drew him to Los Angeles, securing roles in major TV series, while his ongoing involvement with military veteran organizations underscores his commitment to service beyond personal ambition. This podcast episode illuminates Michael's personal and professional growth, and offers insight into the courage it takes to pursue diverse passions across different life stages.
Thanks as always for reading, and have a great weekend!
Jason “Swoopy-snap” Cannon