My sister introduced me to a book titled “Do Hard Things” by Alex and Brett Harris. It’s written for teens but the ideas in it work for anyone. One of the chapters talks about the little tasks that set you up to accomplish bigger things.
For instance, making your bed each morning seems mundane and unimportant. However, such small chores slowly build the discipline to accomplish more.
One of the examples they use is the Vikings. They talk about how successful and feared the Vikings were in their raiding. How they could strike and be gone before people retaliated. What we don’t often think about, however, is that, unlike other ships of their time that used slaves, the Vikings rowed their own ships. One of the most physically demanding but monotonous tasks a sailor could do, yet it set them up to be stronger and more efficient.
This has played in my mind for over a week. It not only reminds me to keep going at monotonous tasks but also captures my imagination and encourages me to be bold. To be a Viking.
All of this to say, I decided to be a Viking this last weekend at Con Nooga. Last year I wrote about doing an author reading and eventually, sometime in the future, I’d do an author panel. (Stretching My Comfort Zone)
I did my first panel this last weekend! It was terrifying, and yet, not nearly as bad as I thought it’d be. I’ve slowly built from talking to homeschooling groups and doing small book readings to now doing a panel at a comic convention.
It’s incredibly hard to step out of my comfort zone, but it’s worth it. What goal do you need to be a Viking for today?
Blessings,
Jennifer
P.S. The new adventure for this year is now 18% written and the HMII Developmental Edit is 38% complete. We’re making progress 🙂
This is great!
I am doing handwriting and calligraphy practice this year…. Not sure yet what big goal it might translate to, but I decided to be committed to practice! And I’m loving it!
It’s good to commit to practicing! Never know where it’ll lead you 🙂
It’s a great concept to live by Jennifer. I had a motto in my working years on the job for myself and the people under my watch “do something hard today and the rest is easy”
The ones who took it to heart were people who were growing. When one is not growing they are dying (another motto).
I like that motto! My mom often says as soon as you stop learning, you’re no longer living. 🙂
Yeah!! Getting out of the comfort zone does take courage but, usually worth it. Keep up the good work.
Thanks 😊
Hmm, I’m not sure if making my bed makes me capable of accomplishing more, unless it’s to be increasingly accomplished at making my cat annoyed every time I have to move her. But that’s a good idea, and I definitely need it while working on one of my reverse outlines. I’m finding I enjoy thinking about how to fix it more than I am re-reading it, so I’m finding it difficult to work up the enthusiasm to do the work.
Congratulations on doing the panel! That’s such a brave thing. It’s amazing how much progress can be made in less than a year. I’ll be hoping to make it to one of your speaking engagements one day!
Your poor cat 😂 mine can commiserate!
It’s surprising how hard it can be to motivate beyond the planning stage to the actual writing stage. I find the same thing. It sounds great in my head but getting it on the page takes more. I look forward to reading your work someday, Kat!
And I’d be honored to see you at a speaking’s engagement!
Interesting analogy! I need to “be a Viking” when it comes to editing my book. 😅 Even a little progress every day will make a difference!
Editing it definitely a daunting process! I’m there too with Hidden Mythics II. Good luck with your editing! 🙂
Completing a epoxy river table! Yikes.
I’m sure it’ll turn out beautifully! Even if there are a few bumps along the way 🙂