The myth of the finish line

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This season on the podcast, we’ve been talking about a lot of ideas: the concept of life as a dream, the whole befuddling mystery of what money is (or isn’t), and what we are doing here as humans. It’s gotten a little existential.

We’ve talked about a lot of things that aren’t real, and one fight I want to pick is with the whole concept of finish lines, of being “done” with anything. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I hate a lack of resolution. I am always vying for things to come to some sort of conclusion. It just feels better to have everything tied together, doesn’t it?

But in life, our finish lines are a bit messier. In some cases, they don’t even exist. I want to argue that a true finish line doesn’t really exist. It is really just an invitation to the next stage in the process.

Last week during our AMA, I addressed a question from a writer who has been sitting on her first draft of a book for the past four years. She said she was 90% complete but just couldn’t push through the final tenth of the project.

Do you know what I told her?

“You’re already done. It’s time to start again, time to move to the next phase.”

Any time you can get any project to an 80% completion point, it’s time to move to the next part. To take the next step. Otherwise, you spin out, get stuck in some confusing point that you just can’t get out of. As you can see, this can take years.

Don’t do that. Don’t believe the myth of the finish line. Instead, find a way to ship what you have, inviting someone else into the process. That doesn’t mean publish the thing, necessarily, but it does mean stop stalling and figure out where you need help.

Often, that comes in the form of an editor or a coach. Sometimes both. Which reminds me…

Over at our book production agency Fresh Complaint, we are just about to close registration for our new six-month coaching program for authors. Here’s the overview:

Finish Your First Draft is a six-month learning experience that immerses you in a supportive community of peers, experts, and coaches who will help you plan, write, and refine your book so that you can get your message out into the world. It’s time to stop writing alone so that you can start finishing.

What is it, exactly? Weekly Zoom calls with a book coach and editor, along with special guest appearances from other experts who will help you write the first draft of your book. You’ll also get four one-on-one private calls and weekly “office hours” to ask any questions on Slack.

All the details are at freshcomplaint.com/finish. Check it out and see if it’s a good fit for you. We’d love to help you get your book to the next level.

On Friday, we will close down applications, review all our applicants, and invite 15 writers to join Ariel Curry and me for the rest of the year for this intensive program. Ariel is head facilitator on this project, and I’m coming in a few times as a guest teacher. It’s gonna be a hoot.

Speaking of hoots (terrible segue but I had to try), I’m chatting on the podcast this week with my pal Ty Ward about NFTs, art, and how “web3” is changing the game for creators everywhere. If you’ve ever wondered what an NFT is or even how cryptocurrency works, you’re going to enjoy listening to me ask all kinds of stupid questions. Come join the cool kids and tune in.

​Listen in here.

Best,

Jeff

P.S. Where have you believed the myth of the finish line? What project are you currently trying to finish? Shoot me a reply. More on this next week!

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