Double Duty

For years I’ve been doing the same things and they haven’t yielded my desired results. Einstein would call this insanity. It’s been accepted as the definition, “Repeating the same thing and expecting a different result” but the dictionary defines sanity as soundness of mind or reasonableness. I’ve been under the impression my actions were reasonable. Furthermore, I would have disputed anyone who challenged their reasonableness. As I sit here today though, I’m not thinking I was wrong, but rather not entirely true.

While writing at the beginning of my day and working towards the end has been fruitful, it hasn’t yielded as expected. In fact, I’m behind. I’m not going to abandon writing for the most part, but I am going to make a few changes. In addition to starting my day with the gratitude lists, I’ll end my day with another. I haven’t thought of what to put in the list, nor have I thought of a theme or even its purpose. In a slump, hitters hit and shooters shoot, and as a writer, I write. I’ll do more, not less. I’ll increase my output. I’ll change my genres, topics, and anything else.

It’s about change. The willingness to have sustained focus. It’s about being accountable. It’s about clarity. It’s about all the things in the course I created almost a year ago. That’s the point. I’ll write about what I’ve done that particular day. I’ll start with gratitude and end with accountability. I’ll be accountable to my audience, whoever they are, and I’m sure they’ll chime in.

So that’s it! The benefits of writing it out explained while writing it out. If I work on something while my hands are on the keyboard, for whatever reason, the answers appear in whatever I’m writing. Some find their answers through prayer. Others through meditation. Others while walking, running, or working out. A few still while in the studio producing art, whether visual or auditory. I’ve done all those things in short intervals, but writing is the only thing I’ve stuck with for this amount of time. It’s the only thing that has consistently delivered clarity, solace, and serenity. It delivers answers even when I don’t know the questions.

Today, Tuesday, August 8, 2023, I am grateful that:

I’m willing to do the work. I’ll be uncomfortable changing up my routine, but it’s needed. My current pattern isn’t getting me the progress I desire. So I’ll work more and differently.

I’ve got others I can copy. I don’t have to figure this deal out on my own. As Tony Robbins has said, “Success leaves clues.” I have found that to be true and since I’m in search of my own version of success, I’ll follow the clues left by others. I don’t have to blaze a trail. “If you wish to define the future, study the past.”

I’ve got one good contract and others are lining up. I’m not in a position to take on more clients at the moment, but it’s good to know my skills are in demand. It may very well be time for a rate increase. We’ll see what my mentor on the platform has to say.

Are you putting the work needed?

If so, are you getting the desired results?

If you aren’t getting the results you desire, is it time to make some changes?

What would those changes look like? Write those down.

Who

This is the first part of the entry.