“Never underestimate the power of passion.” ~Eve Sawyer
Last week, I began writing my second book. I originally intended to start a month ago, but life got in the way, as it often does.
In order to make my September deadline, I’ll need to maintain a high level of output and adhere to a fairly rigid schedule.
Four hours after starting my first day of writing, I felt I’d produced very little, and I wasn’t thrilled with what I’d written, so I started worrying about that.
What if I keep rewriting but still don’t feel satisfied with the result? What if I don’t choose the best personal stories to share? What if my stories distract from my points instead of enhancing them?
Essentially, I went into full-on neurotic writer mode, largely because I felt overwhelmed by the work ahead.
Then I remembered two important things: For one, I felt exactly like this when I started my first book. I didn’t know entirely how it would take shape, or if I’d feel good about it when I was done, but ultimately, I did.
I immersed myself in the process, and the process created the outcome—not my will, not my fears, but the act of showing up every day.
That leads me to the second thing I remembered: The point is to enjoy the process—not just to finish the book, but also to really savor the experience of writing it.
It’s bizarre how sometimes something joyful can seem like a means to an end, when really, the means is, in itself, an end.
The process of a passion isn’t just the road to an outcome, though of course we have specific goals in mind. The process is where the love is.
Raising a child isn’t just about setting them loose on the world. It’s about the everyday experience of nurturing and teaching.
Creating a business isn’t just about building a moneymaker. It’s about the everyday journey of the purpose.
It’s the same with restoring a car, or recording an album, or working toward anything meaningful with a concrete endpoint down the line: The uncertain moments that lead to completion are tiny opportunities for complete bliss.
We will get where we’re going—or perhaps somewhere even more amazing than we knew to imagine—if we show up and put our hearts in it.
In finding value along each step of the journey, we inevitably arrive at a valuable destination.
Photo by Wonderlane
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others do the same. She recently created the Breaking Barriers to Self-Care eCourse to help people overcome internal blocks to meeting their needs—so they can feel their best, be their best, and live their best possible life. If you’re ready to start thriving instead of merely surviving, you can learn more and get instant access here.
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