I’m no longer blurry on focus

by Jason on March 11, 2013 at 8:30 am
Posted In: Blog...

The enemy is distraction. I have always know this but only recently have I paid enough attention to fully realize it. The bad news is that I could have accomplished so much more in life had I been focused. The good news is my life ain’t over yet.

Recently, I completed a course to get my real estate license. (I can use it at my day job.) I tend to get distracted easily, as we all do. Yet, I needed to pass the test so that my $95 test fee was not spend in vain. I was finding it difficult to study and work and draw and do everything else that needed to get done. I have never been great at studying, kinda always just passed my courses by remembering what I had read or heard earlier. If it were calculus or such, I could pass and simply say to myself that I probably would not use it in the future. With real estate, I have to know the laws. There are high penalties for making mistakes. So I had to study.

I quickly created a method to study effectively. Perhaps you may be a natural at this stuff. Not me. I had to devise a plan.

Here is what I did:

  1. I set aside two and a half hours each night to study
  2. I then set the timer on my phone to 20 minutes
  3. I studied intensely for that 20 minutes, not allowing myself ANY distractions
  4. Once the 20 minutes was up, I set the timer for five minutes and took a break, not allowing myself to even look at the study material. I simply sat there and listened to a favorite song.
  5. Then I repeated the process until six 20 minute sessions were completed.

I must note that I devised this study plan in the last week before my test. Using this plan, I was able to retain much more than I had in the weeks prior. I achieved more in less time.

Since I had success with this plan (I passed the test), I decided to use it for my comics. I was finding myself spending what I felt as too much time per strip. Using this method, I have been able to complete more strips and have even improved the quality of the strips. Additionally, I’m using the method for this post.

And my time is about up. Gotta go.

Stay focused!

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Coming back

by Jason on January 21, 2013 at 8:58 pm
Posted In: Blog...

“Perk at Work” is coming back!

In fact, I’ve already completed a number of strips and I’m continuing to create new strips. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve visited Perk at Work.. and I, as an artist, have changed. The comic strip itself has changed in feel and I’m excited to present them. The selective few who have seen them have an interesting reaction – a reaction that I hoped they would have. The feel is simultaneously calmer, recieved, and more touched. After such a long pause, and after a trip into my personal wilderness, the art is taking a turn.

In short, the feel is more in line with you, the reader. My aim is to connect on a deeper level while tickling the funny bone. I’m not getting serious, but, rather, more intuitive of others. My goal is to create a feature that will give people humor and insight. YOU will be the judge if I accomplish that or not.

Having said all that, I think you may like what’s coming up with Perk at Work. And, if you get a chuckle here and there from the folks at the Perk at Work cafe, then my job is done.

New comics start March 22, 2013!

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Get the book, get the giggles

by Jason on May 11, 2011 at 3:23 pm
Posted In: Blog...

I’ve decided to start selling my book from my own place instead of through a third party. Why? Because I really want to see how this stuff works. Plus, I think it’ll be fun.

I haven’t always thought this way, mind you. In fact, when I first decided to create a book, I was stricken with fear as to how to send stuff out in the mail. I was worried about how I was going to keep up with orders, how I would label things, what packages I would need, how much to charge for postage, etc. Some of those fears are warranted but most of them are silly. The learning curve is pretty slow with these things, one can stand to take a few chances and learn along the way. That’s what I aim to do.

Why the change? I was listening to Truth2U Radio and Jono Vandor (the host) was interviewing Clint Branham of Awakened Church about a DVD this guy creates and sends out for free. When Jono asked him how he could afford such a thing, Clint basically stated two things that enabled it: 1. He uses his tithe money, and 2. He’s learned ways to save money with the process. Now,  I’m not about to use tithe money to send out Perk at Work books for free to everyone, but I do want to learn how to send stuff out cheaply.

The guys over at Webcomics.com have spoken about this subject but, at the time I was listening, I was so far from creating a book that the info just went over my head. I couldn’t imagine being at the level that those guys were at. But I have to tell myself that they weren’t always pros. They too had to learn. I need to start believing that one day I may be at their level. And to do so, I need to do the same thing they did – learn as I go.

Another reason I’m excited about selling the book from my home base is that I am currently working on Book Two. I can’t wait to get it to print and hold it in my hands. It’s my goal to have that book available by mid July.

So if you haven’t already, pick up Perk at Work Vol. 1 – “Open for Business”. It’s the complete first year and change. Folks seem to get a kick out of seeing my drawing style change over the course of the book. They also like the gags so that makes me happy. Click here to check it out!

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Bearman Charity Challenge 2011

by Jason on May 6, 2011 at 1:21 pm
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Too often, we are led to feel guilty by people wanting us to give to charity. Well, here’s a proponent of charity who will put his money where his mouth is. Bearman at Bearman Cartoons has recently started his “Third Annual Bearman Cartoons Charity Challenge.” It’s an initiative with a twist.

Notice the ad on this page to the right of this blog. By placing this on my site, dear old Bearman will cough up $5 to feed the hungry by way of the Cincinnati FreeStore Foodbank. But placing an ad on a site isn’t the only way to get him to donate. Last year I came across Bearman Comics right as he was doing the Charity Challenge 2010. I followed him on Twitter and he donated some cash because of it. I was new to Twitter and all this social media stuff and it really opened my eyes to the possibilities.

Check out what he’s doing at http://beartoons.com/2011/05/01/bearman-cartoons-charity-challenge-2011. If you’re like me, you’ll stick around and chuckle at his comics. I really like his stuff because it’s such a refreshing view on editorial cartoons. Some of the ones in the paper and such are a bit stuffy for me. Beartoons kicks pop culture and politics in the groin and makes it funny.

I wish Bearman the best in this effort. Take a few seconds and give him a visit. You’ll be glad you did.

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Planning to do nothing

by Jason on April 26, 2011 at 10:00 am
Posted In: Blog...

Over the last year, I have had to dial back my efforts in many aspects of my life. The problem was that I had stuffed too much into my days. And, when something came up, my whole schedule got out of whack. Basically, I allowed no time for emergencies. In fact, I didn’t really allow time for rest.

That worked for a little while, then my life started to fall apart. There’s no balance in a schedule that’s jam-packed with work all day, every week. I had to cut back.

I have heard – and I have noted in a previous blog – that the secret to doing more is to do less. I’m still trying to wrap my brain around that. But strangely, it works. Yet it doesn’t work the way we think it would. When I was working all day, I was producing more, but the product wasn’t as good. When I dropped down from seven comics a week to five, the quality improved. Then I dropped down from five to three and the quality improved even more. Now I’m at two a week and I’m seeing an improvement in writing and art.

Most importantly, I’ve allowed time to do nothing and I’m at peace.

I have also cut back/discontinued/tabled other projects I had going on. I look back at what I used to produce and what I produce now and I wonder how I ever did it. Then again, I was feeling drained all the time.

Something wonderful happens when we plan to do nothing: suddenly pockets of time to spend with other people are made available. Just the other night, I called up a buddy of mine to see if he wanted to get some exercise. The old me would have seen the time walking and hanging out as a comprimise to my work. Now I’ve come to the realization that the time spent with my friend was worth far more than any additional work I could have done.

The world won’t notice that I haven’t drawn another comic but, if I wasn’t spending time with people, sometimes doing nothing, I would notice it.

I’m glad I didn’t get too into my work at the expense of my friendships. No amount of success is worth that.

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