"I've read somewhere that when you're writing, you should stop while you're doing well so you always want to go back to work"

Glenn Frey’s suggestion touches on the delicate psychology behind creative productivity and motivation. When engaged in writing or any creative pursuit, there can be a strong urge to push forward, squeezing every last drop of inspiration until exhaustion. However, Frey advocates the opposite: stepping away while still enthusiastic and riding a wave of progress. By doing so, creative people build a desire to return to their work, cultivating anticipation rather than dread.

The logic behind this approach draws from an understanding of momentum and human motivation. When work concludes at a satisfying point, the mind internalizes a sense of accomplishment combined with unfinished business. This unfinished business acts like a magnet, drawing the creator back. The anticipation of picking up where things left off, while the excitement is still fresh, prevents the stagnation that often follows overextension or burnout.

Writing, in particular, is a process prone to both exhilaration and frustration. Sometimes, writers slip into the trap of pushing themselves until fatigue dulls their abilities and drains their enjoyment. Such habits breed reluctance toward returning, writing becomes an arduous chore rather than a welcoming outlet. Frey’s advice, therefore, is a sort of psychological hack: leave before you empty out your creative well. Let ideas steep, and allow yourself the pleasure of looking forward to the next session.

This method also harnesses the Zeigarnik effect, a psychological phenomenon where people remember unfinished tasks better than completed ones. By stopping mid-flow, creative energy lingers subconsciously, often leading to new insights or ideas during periods away from the desk. Rather than fearing lost momentum, this technique transforms stopping into a strength, preserving motivation and ensuring that creative work remains a source of energy and inspiration. Frey’s insight offers a refreshing antidote to the myth that more grinding always results in better work, reminding creators to preserve joy and anticipation within their process.