As a moonlighter, you don’t really even have to do that much marketing.
Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? My favorite marketing expert, Michael Port, said this the other day, “It’s my ability to finish projects is what makes me successful.” I’ve been pondering it ever since.
I agree with him. When I make huge strides forward in my moonlighting business, it’s only because I’ve completed a massive project. In 2007, I revamped a web site (which needs to be revamped yet again in 2009) and in 2008, I finished a first draft of a fiction manuscript. Both those project completions propelled me forward in amazing ways (not even mentioning how good it felt to finish such huge projects). So, how do we finish more projects?
1. We focus. Instead of trying to do it all at once, we zero in on the task we most want to finish. Like today, I am going to focus everything I have at a project that has been hanging over my head for weeks. Time to get to it.
2. We take little steps. Projects don’t get completed with big dramatic steps (unless you’re at the end and on deadline), mostly they get finished by little steps forward, day after day.
3. We ignore other ideas, holding them for later. When I’m focusing in on a particular project, I find that my brain comes alive with more ideas than I can ever handle. I file (well, I should file) all these ideas.
4. We go pro and ignore Resistance. A very dear writing friend just got hammered by another member of my writing circle. I gave her the same advice I’m giving here. Go pro! Keep right on going. How does a writer know if her idea works until she tries? I don’t believe in writing groups trying to form a writer’s work into something “they” think it should be. But then again, I also see potential in so much writing that just needs more forming. It’s a fine line to walk.
5. We never give up. One thing I know: never give up. No matter what project you’re attempting to complete, keep at it, keep going. You can do it!
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