Ouch.
How often do we give up on our dreams just because they are hard?
I know I often give up when there is any sort of delayed gratification involved. I like my comforts: my chocolate, mind-numbing T.V., and the words “good enough.” I’d rather feel that instant “win” than have to wait. So I post to social media for likes and retweets, when I should really be writing slow words for the novel. I hit pause on ideas, saying they can wait until tomorrow. I declare a “brain holiday” on a Tuesday evening just because I can, when really it’s because I’m being lazy. I don’t want to do the hard work now.
Big dreams are hard because they should be.
Your dream shouldn’t be as easy as microwaving ramen. If it weren’t hard, it wouldn’t be worth it. It wouldn’t be a dream.
But what if I word hard and it still sucks?
The first round of work usually does. I love how Ira Glass says it:
“…there’s a gap, that for the first couple years that you’re making stuff, what you’re making isn’t so good, OK? It’s not that great. It’s really not that great. It’s trying to be good, it has ambition to be good, but it’s not quite that good. But your taste — the thing that got you into the game — your taste is still killer, and your taste is good enough that you can tell that what you’re making is kind of a disappointment to you, you know what I mean?”
I’m finding that the more I show up, the better I get. I’d bet money that it’s the same for you and your dream.
So I guess I’m going to quit making excuses like Calvin and go do some hard work. Join me?
your heart.
yes. i didn’t come here to do nothing. i didn’t make this goal to do nothing. i WANT to win at this thing. but goodness it’s hard.
<3
What a good sentiment. This really hit home today as I work on something tough and scary and feel tempted to procrastinate. Calvin and Hobbes: soothsayers.
Much luck to you as you tackle your scary thing! I think I might print this cartoon and hang it in my office. A good reminder, and there’s always room for more Calvin & Hobbes on the wall.
For the love of all things bright and beautiful, don’t nuke the ramen. :P Ahhh, yes, slow growing things last the best…Hunderwasser said something to that effect. So, keep going! :D
Haha! Lani, your comment made me giggle this morning. Thank you for stopping by. I love the sentiment that slow-growing lasts the best… I’ll keep that in mind as I feel in rush, but maybe shouldn’t be.
Oh man, I really needed this post this week. I’ve been seriously struggling with fear of the unknown in this big novel-writing project, and I’ve been coming back to this post again and again to remind me that it’s ok to do hard things — and ok to have a really crappy first draft.
I think I’ll have to print out this comic and hang it up on the wall for when I’m feeling like I’d rather watch TV than write. ;-)
Yes! Those have been my thoughts exactly. I’m currently staring at a half-finished manuscript, knowing that it needs some serious TLC, but not knowing where to start. I suppose most new novelists don’t, and that I’m not alone – it’s just so hard to Just. Start. Much luck as you conquer that unknown this weekend, Tabitha!