The first time I heard the word "sticktoitiveness" I thought my father had made it up. It's a Dr. Seuss kind of word so I didn't take much offense when he suggested that I didn't have any. I don't know exactly what project he was referring to but there have always been many from which to choose. I have gardens half planted, craft projects half painted, classes half completed and, god knows, writings half written.
I've never given much thought to why. I've just written it off to one of my flaws and, in fact, one that often bothers others more than it bothers me. I've been known to get halfway through dinner prep when I decide I'd rather order in; halfway through a book when I want a change of subject; halfway through a vacation when I’d rather be home.
So what's this about? Indecision? Boredom? Distraction? I love Erica Jong’s line: "...when you finish something you can be judged" but I don't think that's it because I rarely fear the judgement of others. Is it possible that I'm just done for now? Not bored. Not blocked. Not defeated. Just done? That half of the garden will grow. The roast in the oven will be good sandwiches tomorrow. The letter - and some of the other projects - may actually be completed in full when I feel like it. Or not.
All of this thought prompted a look-up of the term "sticktoitiveness". It turns out Thomas Edison actually said, "The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense."
Let's talk about common sense…
