This is the process:
- Do some work. Just start.
- Work on it until the excitement of fresh ideas crumbles on contact with reality into the funk of “Why am I even bothering?”
- Recognise that this is part of the process – and that learning to get through it is quite possibly the key to success. Make something that’s so-so.
- Edit, polish and reorder whatever you’ve got.
Optional interlude:
- Show it to someone you trust who has taste in this area.
- Hope for feedback that makes you wince – if you don’t want direct criticism, don’t ask at all.
- Be grateful for the discomfort – this is how you get better.
- Try out the feedback – identify which parts of it will make your work better.
- Do those things.
Continuation
- Keep going.
- Keep going.
- Polish and edit.
- Ask yourself “Would I keep this in if this was half as long?”
- Change or cut anything you’re not sure about.
- Polish and edit.
- Keep going.
- Keep going.
- Finish.
- Share.
- Start again.
This is helpful. I’ve experienced those moments where great ideas hit reality. But it really does pay to push through – helpful to hear that this is your experience too.