Big secret! To make progress, we need to put in the work every day. Rather than waiting for inspiration, daily practice builds on itself and leads to places we can discover only through forward motion. Form and clarity come from imperfect action rather than perfect contemplation and consternation.
Three weeks ago, I finished my fourth marathon. I rested for a few weeks and found myself wandering aimlessly thinking about “what’s next?” Finishing the marathon was the culmination of six months of work driven by a training plan, checking off miles a day at a time. This past week, I pulled out my strength training plan from last year and restarted that program mixed with four days of running. Wandering over and I’m back in the zone of practice.
When we create time-bound plans and commit to them, habit takes over and the repetition of practice creates progress. And progress fuels motivation. Ideas transformed by execution and released to take flight.
In Seth Godin’s new and 20th book, The Practice, Shipping Creative Work, he talks about the importance of adopting a practice and making sure we execute – ship that is. “Here are the surprising truths that have been hidden in our desire for those perfect outcomes, the ones industrial recipes promise but never quite deliver:
· Skill is not the same as talent.
· A good process can lead to good outcomes, but it doesn’t guarantee them.
· Perfectionism has nothing to do with being perfect.
· Hubris is the opposite of trust.
· Attitudes are skills.
· There’s no such thing as writer’s block.
· Professionals produce with intent.
· Creativity is an act of leadership.
· Leaders are imposters.
· All criticism is not the same.
· We become creative when we ship the work.
· Good taste is a skill.
· Passion is a choice.”
He continues, “It’s about throwing, not catching. Starting, not finishing. Improving, not being perfect.”
Godin was interviewed recently on the Chase Jarvis podcast and it’s well worth a listen.
In his book, Seth Godin concludes “the path forward is about curiosity, generosity, and connection. These are the three foundations of art. Art is a tool that gives us the ability to make things better and to create something new on behalf of those who will use it to create the next thing. Human connection is exponential: it scales as we create it, weaving together culture and possibility where none used to exist. You have everything you need to make magic. You always have. Go make a ruckus. The magic is that there is no magic. Start where you are. Don’t stop.”
No magic, start, take flight.