And… of course I do. At some point in this journey, I’ll need to switch from reading and reviewing articles for 20-25 hours a week, to having something to say. That means writing…. A LOT.
If you’ve been a part of my network for a while, you probably know that I am more comfortable showing up on video, or speaking in front of large groups than I am putting my thoughts down on paper. I don’t know why this is. I do know I process by sharing ideas out loud, that I am totally comfortable being in front of a group or showing up on video to talk about things I’m curious or passionate about. Somehow writing it down feels more vulnerable? From what people tell me, this is the opposite for many.
You may also know that I “thrive under pressure”, at least this is something I’ve told myself. I make a habit of completing presentations, assignments, writing speeches just in time to deliver against a deadline. Often this means working until 4AM ahead of a workshop or staying up for 24+ hours at a time to submit a deliverable 1 minute before a midnight due date. I have told myself this works for me, and that it is ok.
Although a dissertation and the finish line of this latest goal I’ve decided to chase is still far off in the distance, likely at least 4 years away, it has hit me that a 65,000+ word, 200+/- page project isn’t going to come together by pulling an all nighter or two (I get it, this should have been obvious long ago….). So, I know I need to find a writing cadence. I know at some point over the next few years hours of reading and research is going to turn into hours and hours of writing – GULP.
This slowly accepted truth has reminded me of what I often share with folks aiming to make the transition from mid-level leadership to true executive leadership – What Got You Here, Won’t Get You There (Marshall & Mark, 2008). I pulled up my copy of the book this morning and found this:
One of the greatest mistakes of successful people is the assumption, “I am successful. I behave this way. Therefore, I must be successful because I behave this way!” The challenge is to make them see that sometimes they are successful in spite of this behavior (Marshall & Mark, 2008, p. 50).
(see what I did there? Those are my new APA citation skills in action 😉)
I need to write. I need to write every day. I know this won’t come overnight, and I know it is a cadence I need to build just like any other muscle. I also know that when I’m at my best, I keep promises I make to myself. I’m committing to myself, and to you, that for the rest of February I am going to ‘show-up’ every morning. I’m going to pop into your inbox if you’re a Substack subscriber. Some of these will go on my other social media platforms, some might be just for subscribers.
Now I’m going to ask you a favour…..
If you happen to notice that you haven’t heard from me in a few days, will you check in if you can?
I’m going to have busy days. I’m going to get overwhelmed. I’m probably going to shut down at times. I’m asking you to help keep me going, to help me keep this promise to myself. 4 years is a long time for someone who chases a lot of squirrels 🐿️ and I know that I’m not going to be able to do this alone.
Thank you so much for being a part of this adventure and for being one of my “why’s”.
REFRENCES
Marshall, G., & Mark, R. (2008). What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful! https://viewer.books24x7.com/AssetViewer.aspx?bookid=43059&chunkid=192353610
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