The first 30 days
Reflections on the first 30 days of writing.
We interrupt these messages to bring you a brief reflection.
I’ve previously mentioned my obsession with feedback loops. I also talked about them on a podcast back in April. (Drinking game potential here, people! Listen in as I drop a year’s worth of “fascinating”s. Or simply enjoy my favorite leadership moment at 35:30.)
Feedback loops are only helpful if you dedicate time to synthesize and reflect, though. So this is me, pausing.
I began writing consistently about a month ago.
My first post » why I got started.
This post » why I keep going.
Mini epiphanies
^ This section title is prolly oxymoronic.*
Oh, wait. I have to do this all again. After the many hours it took to produce my first two posts in the first week writing, when the next week came around, it was somehow surprising to me that I had to do it again. I love the process but thinking about it and doing it are two very different things. For one, it is all-consuming. My family knows not to bother me when I’m writing. And, for two, given my schedule, I write whenever I have a few hours here and there. Except for Sundays. Sundays are my favorite day to write.
Oh wait. People are actually reading. I didn’t expect people to read it. But then I saw people subscribing. When I got my first annual paid subscriber, it hit me that I’m now committed to delivering a year’s worth of value. Again, somehow this was surprising.
Oh wait. All my excuses really were BS. Not doing a thing is actually harder mentally and emotionally than being in the middle of doing it.
The reason is because when we put things off, our mindset is always in the negative. We concoct all the excuses and false dependencies we care to get dizzied with. We berate our inertial selves for lack of courage, laziness, not living up to our potential. We conjure up all the external phantoms like, But what will people think?
When you’re actively doing it, you don’t have time for any of that. All I think about now is creating something meaningful for at least one person and all the expansive opportunities ahead.
- What else do people want to learn about?
- What can I share that’s fresh and insightful?
- What would make my posts even more effective?
- How can I word this in a more compelling way? How can I be more clear and concise?
Dale Carnegie said it well:Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.
Oh wait. I can help people. When I get a private note like this from a reader, that’s how I know it’s worth it.
I've looked up to you since [we worked together several years ago]. Thank you for sharing your expertise. You inspired me to push to be over $100k for the first time and I got that raise and now pushed to $200k. Thank you for giving me the playbook and the confidence.
Yes! I want to share what I’ve learned so people like this reader will continue to push beyond their limits and feel confident to go after and get what they want.
Maybe this inspires you to start something you’ve been putting off.
Enough with excuses.
It’s much funner over here on the “doing it” side.
* “Oxymoronic” makes me think of the comedy gold that is Sylvester Stallone in Oscar. For sure add this one to your list.
