Invest in Your Seeds
Photo by Jen Theodoreon Unsplash
Seth Godin wrote a post on his blog (Seth’s Blog) the other day about investing in infrastructure so that the future of a community (and by extension - YOU) can protect itself from the inevitable changes that the future holds.
Seth writes:
In our personal lives, we can coast on a particular credential or bit of knowledge for years. And then one day, we realize we’re obsolete. The idea is the same:
We need to plant our trees before we want the shade, and fix our systems before they break.
As I write this post I’m currently working in education. Do I love it? No, I can’t say that it appeases my passion and curiosities. Am I grateful? Yes, absolutely. The experiences I’ve had teaching in LA’s most challenging schools has given me a new perspective on what’s actually happening in this city and county, when it comes to inequalities of race, education, class, etc.
My goal is to make a living from the words I write - in books and in scripts. And as much as I can see what that VISION actually looks like and feels like, I know it’s something that doesn’t happen overnight - I finished my TV writing certificate in 2016. To say I’m concerned I’ll become “obsolete” and not be able to pivot from one career to the next is an understatement.
But here’s what keeps me grounded and my spirits up…
I have a ROUTINE and I have a PLAN. I sow the seeds for future harvest.
I firmly believe that applying a strategy to an established routine will bring opportunity and luck. Without some type of planning and a routine that serves as the foundation, success is just a fleeting wish.
Since the start of the new year I’ve readjusted my routine, and I’m using a strategic plan that I spent all of December planning and thinking through. Every task that guides my days are manageable and specific.
With my strategy and routine guarantee my success? Hell no!
But it guarantee’s the last ingredient to success - PREPARATION.
I know by the end of this year (and at different points throughout the year) I’ll have several projects completed and ready for the market. I can’t guarantee the market will respond to the material, but I can guarantee that I’ll have material to respond to. And that’s all that matters.
So what’s the secret? How am I setting myself up for success?
I’m planting seeds today that I hope will grow into paid projects in the future. Bit-by-bit, task-by-task, my projects are nothing more than an amalgam of specific and focused tasks or activities that build on each other.
In the first week of the new year I’ve already written a story doc for a new pilot, written 12 pages of a novella, and published a blog post every day. That’s on top of revising an existing script, applying to a fellowship, and researching managers. On top of helping 2 kids get back to school online, look for a new job, and plan for semester 2 at my job.
Coming out of arguably the worst year in decades, I’m really happy with the control and direction 2021 is taking when it comes to my writing aspirations.
Some writers want to be weeds, growing quickly and without intention; I want to be a writer that’s a tree, a sturdy presence that nourishes all who finds comfort under my leaves.
Today’s Accomplishments
Researched more managers for my DADLY query campaign.
Wrote the premise of my first pilot of the year. I’m super excited about this project because it’s about time and place that has a lot of energy and innocence. And damn good music, too.
Wrote 3 more shitty pages of my novella. If you’re counting, that’s 9 shitty pages thus far.
Wrote a post about creativity and writing.
Tomorrow’s Tasks
Craft the supporting/secondary characters for my pilot.
Write 3 shitty pages of my novella.
Research managers and writers for my DADLY query campaign.
Revise the teaser for my pilot - THE NOISE WITHIN
Write a blog post about creativity and writing.
