One Step

Today, I was talking (whining) to my friend Cindy about taking a year off from teaching to write. What if, I asked, I'm still not a successful writer a year from now? That would make me a double failure, and it'd be a year wasted.

Cindy is the source of one of my favorite quotes: "Be vulnerable in the act of creation, not the outcome." In other words, control what you can and let the rest go. She didn't disappoint this time, either. She shared with me her One Step plan. Here's how it looks:

1. Pick a major life goal. For me, it's to become a full-time, New York Times bestselling author and a creative writing workshop leader. For you, it might be traveling the globe, or eating healthier, or to stop controlling people (shit--I want those, too.)
2. Complete one step a day toward achieving that goal. This could take you five minutes (clean out a shelf in your office to make space for an idea box, stand up and take a short walk, write an unexpected thank you card to someone) or five hours (read a book on the craft you want to learn, update your resume, sign up for a class).

That's it. Take One Step toward your goal every day for the next 365 days. At the end of the year, there's no way you're a failure. You're either there, or closer, but definitely wiser.

Also, try to laugh more and maybe drink wine with clever people. (I added those. See how I have to control things?)