What are you working on?

My wife and I just moved into a new house and we (she) decided to re-paint all the kitchen cabinets. It took us about a week. And no, we didn’t get divorced in the process. But it wasn’t easy. Neither of us had ever done it before (thanks Dad for coming to help! 👋🏻 ). And even though it was incredibly time-consuming, it reminded me of how great it feels to be in a project.

One of the lessons I learned from writing a book is how little inspiration really matters. You need it in the beginning, of course. And it helps for keeping the vision alive during the dark days. But 80% of completing a large project is just blue-collar work ethic.

You clock in, look at your notes, and get to work.

There are moments where progress feels stagnant. Where you aren’t sure where you’re going or what’s being accomplished. But if you keep your head down and trust the process, the days add up. The paint eventually drys. And one day you look up and have something. Something that wouldn’t exist had you not put in the work.

There’s a great Paul Graham quote that goes:

“Working a project of your own is as different from ordinary work as skating is from walking.”

The difference I feel while working on a project of my own gives me far more energy than it takes. There’s an excitement in the work itself that’s hard to find in other things. And there is certainly a greater sense of satisfaction once it’s complete.

And even if someone isn’t making a living doing, “their own work,” they can still find a side-project or hobby that gives them that feeling (don’t start with cabinets).

I’ve noticed that when I meet people, those who have an answer to the question, “What are you working on?” seem to have a greater excitement and energy about them. I don’t think that’s a coincidence.

When I finished (a two-year project) I told myself I’d take a four-month break before diving into something new. I only lasted about a month. All that extra time and energy swirling around with no outlet made me crazy. And I missed that feeling of being in it.

That feeling of being onto something.

The most important part of any project is the moment after the inspiration strikes. The moment you go from “this might be cool,” to actually doing the damn thing. And if you can forget about the sugar-rush of inspiration and the myth of “endless motivation” and just do the work, you’ll wake up one day with a finished project of your own.

But I’ll warn you now: Once that project is finished, you won’t be able to wait to start the next one…

🙏 I want to say a quick thank you to everyone who replied to my last email with short story recommendations. So many added to the list! I’m still catching up on all the replies but will get to them all soon.

In the meantime, let me know:

And if you have any questions for me or topics you’d like covered in this newsletter, please let me know. I’d love to do more Q&A in this format.

I was recently interviewed for the upcoming event, Your Creative Investment: Risk And Return. It’s a free online event showcasing artists, designers, makers, authors, and creative entrepreneurs who talk about their creative time, energy, risk and return.

The virtual event is July 2nd-5th, and I’m featured on Day 2. The interview series offers a diverse approach to creativity and the investment of time and energy we all put in, as well as the ways we all assess, reflect and channel our approach to a project.

Ok, that’s all. Thanks for reading!

The temperature is rising 🔥🔥🔥

Originally published at https://coreymccomb.substack.com