The Cycle

As I move into the final week of this project, I am starting to reflect about what I’ve learned.

I’ve had to ship (a Seth Godin term) and sometimes that comes with mixed feelings.  I’m relieved every time I finish the combination blog post/podcast episode.  Sometimes, the work doesn’t feel quite finished, but I’m out of time, so I ship it anyway.

Overall, though, I’ve been pleased with the writing and recording that I’ve been able to do, especially given the demands of back-to-school season and teaching in a very (very!) different situation.  

It’s been challenging, but not impossible.  I am glad the end is in sight, but I would do it again.  Maybe I will.

One thing I’ve noticed is an emerging pattern, and the development of a system that proves what I was trying to say all along: creative work can happen by everyday people living in the real world.

The pattern looks unremarkable, but I want to share it with you.  It has four parts:

• Commit

• Finish

• Share

• Move On

The next part is to repeat.

“Commit” means that I have to choose a topic.  I have some topic ideas in my notes, so I usually look at those first.  Sometimes, I start to work on one topic, but realize it is not working and I need to change course.  But I don’t let myself linger.  I have to decide, because I am determined to publish a post today.

“Finish” is obvious.  I have to write the post and record the podcast.  There is no “half-done” or “sleep on it” mentality with this project.  I know my goal, and that’s one blog post and one podcast episode every day, for 30 days.  If I fail, I’ll forgive myself, but I don’t want to go there.  So, I have to finish the task at hand, review/revise as time allows, and then be done with it.  (By the way, this is generally getting done in the evening after dinner.)

“Share” means that I have to actually hit “publish” for the blog and podcast.  I can’t just leave the work sitting in a draft.  It might be imperfect, but it’s as good as it’s going to get today.  I have to let go of my ego a little bit, and realize that sharing is not just about me.  This might help someone else, and even if it doesn’t, it was worth doing.  Sharing is an absolute requirement for this particular project.

“Move on” is the final step.  I can’t look back, because I have to start a new post tomorrow.  If I like today’s work, I’ll silently acknowledge that to myself, and if I don’t like it, I’ll just let it go.  

I also remind myself that I’ve always had plenty of ideas for writing topics, and those ideas will continue to flow and provide new material for tomorrow’s work.  That’s the unofficial next step:  repeat.

I am learning more about myself as a writer.  I am proving to myself that, not only can it be done, but I am someone who can do it.