The Daily Grind

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

"The best way to unlock hidden potential....is to transform the daily grind into a source of daily joy."  - Adam Grant, Hidden Potential

Hidden Potential was one of those books I found myself highlighting a quote every few pages. It was hard to decide which to save and which to let go of.  In the end, I saved way more than I should have. I will need to trim the list down more, but for now I want to share this gem which rose to the top for me. 

As a creative, there is a clear delineation between what I love to do and what I find boring - an unwelcome daily grind.  For me, the creative process of writing is joyful.  I also love having ideas drop into my lap as I read, watch TV, walk in nature and talk with others.  The universe is always speaking to me - little butterflies of ideas flutter around me constantly.  I just have to notice them and grab on tight. I have over 200 ideas stored in my blog drafts file. Some will be written, others not. 

I also love when I am close to finishing a new book, article or poem.  The excitement of nearing the finish line brings inspiration. My writing speed increases and the words flow out enthusiastically.  When I type the final few words and declare the draft done, an adrenalin rush always follows. I want to celebrate.  I want to share my new work right away. Unfortunately that isn't the best choice. I have to deal with the other side - serious editing and numerous rewrites. 

Editing is not something I actually hate, but I wouldn't call it fun or joyful either. Polishing my manuscript definitely doesn't offer the adrenaline rush creating new work does. The act of sitting for hours going over and over an article or manuscript is simply work that needs to be addressed.   The only time it starts to get exciting is when I have finished my rewrites and cleared all the notes from the editor. DONE is a joyous moment.  

What else don't I like?  Most of the time marketing falls into this category. There are exceptions. I love being out with my books in public where I can share with people in person what my books are about and who I am as a writer.  It is much easier to sell books when our connection personal. The reader gets to know me as the author and hears the passion that led me to write them. It's contagious.  I also love speaking on stage, even though I get terrible nerves.  Again sharing my passion and what each book offers live is exciting. After I leave the stage I can speak one on one with any who have questions. 

However, sitting at home trying to come up with a marketing plan or new promotional ideas, then following through on them isn't my strength. I would love to hand that job over to an assistant, but first I have to earn enough regularly from book sales to justify the cost.  For now these tasks are my responsibility. I can't keep avoiding them or just paying them lip service. I need to act.

I love the idea of finding a way to turn the tasks in our life that bore us into sources of joy.  How can I make marketing feel like play?  I am not sure yet, but I think it's a great goal to work towards.  It's time to expand my horizons and begin to think more  creatively in this area. It's time to believe the possibility of marketing becoming a source of joy exists. It's time to unlock my "hidden potential." 

I most likely will always love the creativity of writing the most, but there is room in my life to find joy in the other roles I must play.