A key ingredient for me in building this business is the blending of urgency and patience. Progress equals happiness. When I am between books and working on an outline creating something on the business or marketing side, I don’t feel that sense of progress. And it carries weight. Sometimes, when creating visuals gives me the progress, like designing covers. But in general, the main things that does is writing the first draft of the a book. When you’re in that creation phase, you can get into flow, in the zone, and tap that part of yourself that creates bliss. And when you look back, you see 20,000 words written. That’s incredibly satisfying and fulfilling. Progress.
Creating outline can be fun, because you’re dealing with the main creation of the book. But for me, they can also be daunting, because it’s like a puzzle, getting the pieces of theme, character arc, and plot all to fit. It can be quite exhausting. I find myself rejuvenated when I work with high concept ideas and really get into character. If I can get those two thing into the story, it will carry me through the tough spots. Also creating visuals like coves helps propels me forward a well. If I get burned out on an outline or proof or edit, skipping over to something to visually create often refills my tank and still propels me forward. It;s not like I bounce to something unrelated, like quilting a blanket. What I jump to is something that still moves my business forward. Still creates progress.
People often jump from project to project in life without ever finishing the previous one. We all know those people. One time they have this exciting idea for business, and next month, they have a new exciting adventure. There comes a point in any business where the initial excitement energy wear off and it becomes work. Frustration sets in because you don’t yet have the skills needed to complete it. You have to learn and adjust. This is where most people turn away and start something else. Because it no longer becomes fun. The begging germination energy is addictive and is easy to become a dabbler in life because of it.
That feeling of frustrating will always come. eventually. Often, I push through it. Or rest and come back to the project. What I’ve found is that switching gears and creating a different thing inside my business like a cover or infographic re-instills that energy and give me the progress I need to feel.. And when it’s done, I come back to the book or outline. This way, it keeps my business growing and keeps me excited.
I’m not sure what works for others, but it’s what has worked for me.
David J. Phifer
Author and Media Producer