From dreaming to doing
Bring your dream project to life with these tips and tricks.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a little engraved paperweight on my desk that reads: What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail? Over the years, I’ve constantly read those words and thought about what my dream project might be. About ten years ago, I fantasized writing a story based on my grandmother’s Wednesday Club. Five years ago, I began to bring that dream to life, word by word. After what seems like an eternity, I have my 95,000 word novel completed and the search for an agent underway.
There’s a question almost everyone asks me: how did you find time to write a book when you have a full-time job and a busy life? The truth is that I’ve had a lot of starts and stops, many days of frustration with my lack of progress, and countless lessons learned the hard way. I hope some of the things I’ve discovered can help you make space in your life for your dream project — whether that’s writing a book, tracing your family’s genealogy, learning to paint, creating a scrapbook of precious memories, or starting an Etsy business. What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?
A mix of practical tips and psychological tricks, here are a few ideas that have helped me move from dreaming to doing:
You can’t really find more time.
You just have to push something else out of the way. While there are definitely bad times to start a passion project (you’ve just started a new job or you’re having knee surgery next week), the truth is that most of us are always busy and your days likely fly by, whether you’re working a full-time job or not.
Progress toward a goal is very personal.
It’s not just about will power or discipline. It’s not about staying busier or doing a better job of managing tasks. There is no silver bullet. And some of the challenges might be in your head.
See what resistance might be in your way.
Resistance is the inner dialogue and developed habits that keep you from even trying. Do you fall into the self-doubt trap (who am I to do _____ ), the comparison with others trap (I’ll never be as good as _____ ), or the false belief traps (I’m just not _____ enough)? Resistance by definition is self-sabotage.
How do you manifest resistance?
Here are some ways I self-sabotage: I waste time on social media. I don’t get up early. I tell myself the day is going to be too hectic to make time for myself. What are your key resistance moves and what are some practical ways to overcome them? For me, getting up early no matter how busy my day will be and ignoring my phone have made a big difference. It’s not all in your head though: there are practical tips and habits that can help you reach your goal.
Devote time to your project every day.
Make time in your schedule, at least five days a week. (Really! Even if it’s just 15 or 30 minutes.) Figure out the time of day that can work for you: first thing in the morning? After work? After dinner? Keep this time consistent. Consistency builds a habit.
Make a concrete goal.
Something vague like “I’ll get some writing done today” doesn’t work. A goal needs to be specific and measurable. How much time will you spend or how many words will you write? Make a schedule that allows you to set some concrete goals. To me, there’s nothing more satisfying than setting a goal and reaching it.
Consider your set and setting.
When/where/how do you feel most creative? Where do you want to work on your project? What does it look like? Is it filled with inspiring objects or clutter-free? What does it sound like? I like a quiet space but you might feel better with music playing or soaking up the buzz of a busy coffee shop. What does it feel like? Do you need a desk or can you work from your recliner or couch? While I was writing WEDNESDAY CLUB, this was my early morning happy place.
Divide a big task into small bites.
A big vague goal is a surefire path to inaction, but broken into pieces the goal starts to feel doable. Remember that even a tiny step is progress. Some experts recommend starting a big project with a 10-step list that outlines how you’ll get from concept to completion.
Morning routines matter.
The first 15 minutes of your day can set the tone for the rest of the day. A morning routine that works for me is to set my intentions while I’m having that essential cup of coffee, and taking five minutes to write in my gratitude journal — this helps me purge the yuk of any chaos, resentments, or fears I might have lingering. It also helps me to pet our little feral kitty Lille who is every-so-slowly learning to trust. She warms my heart and grounds me. What’s your morning routine?
Manage your ‘too much to do’ anxiety.
Some days you might wake up feeling overwhelmed and scattered. It helps to do a brain dump. Write it all down — prioritize — and go into triage mode. Does this all really have to be done? Can I delegate it? Can I eliminate it? Can I move it to next week or next month?
Resist your all-or-none thinking.
If you slip up, just start again. Didn’t work on your project today? Pick it up again tomorrow. It doesn’t help to be self-critical. After all, a dream project should be fun — not one more obligation.
Put your project out in plain view.
If you hide it away in a fancy organizer box or in the back of a closet, it’s not going to be top of mind. And it’s not going to happen. I know it’s messy to keep it out, but you’ll make more progress in the long run. Besides, clean houses are overrated!
There’s more!
I have more tips and tricks to pass along in Part 2 of this blog. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter (and confirm your subscription) to get the next update. Share below any ideas that have worked for you or your sabotaging resistance moves. I’d love to hear about your dream project.