I’m undertaking a 1000-day reinvention project, focused on launching a writing and advisory business around personal finance for GenXers. I’m blogging here daily to track my progress. In Friday Flash, I share an epiphany or aha moment from the past week.
I feel like I didn’t accomplish much this week, but with my blogging here, I dug into some important questions:
On Sunday, I said my main priority was recording and publishing the first podcast episode, but I didn’t get anywhere near close to that.
Instead I worked on further clarifying what exactly I intend to do, with respect to my target audience, my web presence, and the overarching goal I’m focused on.
With reinvention and also entrepreneurship, often the advice distilled says “just do it. Just get out and do something.” Writing a business plan is so 1980s. Taking the time to carefully craft a strategy and vision doesn’t give you actual feedback from the world.
What if spending time to do those things might provide a better foundation?
I think what I probably need right now is to quit hurrying, quit feeling like everything is so urgent. Last November, I said that the theme of 2025 would be patience.
Last July I asked and answered the question, “How do I make faster progress with my reinvention?” The answer my wise self gave was: stop trying to rush. I quoted business guru Cathy Heller, “Patience is massively underrated when it comes to launching a successful business.”
And I closed with this comment:
Instead haranguing yourself to move faster, why don’t you enjoy this time you have with the activities you’re doing?
I am really enjoying all I am doing: writing, painting, connecting with old and new friends, refreshing my house and decor now that my mom has moved out. There is no need to hurry, no need to hustle, no need to grind.