|
Procrastination. Analysis Paralysis. Pressure-Prompting. These are all terms to describe people who are high on ideas and low on execution. For my fellow creative faffers, I propose the following solution:
Start.
Don't plan a launch. Don't spend more than a few hours planning how your project will look. If you have been planning a project for more than two weeks without taking even one step to get started, whether it is an email, researching needed tools, something that yields a small win or minor result, just start.
Consciously make a shabby first version of what you want to create.
I'll use this newsletter as an example. I wanted to create a platform for artists, by artists, that serves as a curated stream of tangible advice, perspectives and inspiration. Most importantly, only the awesome would be amplified. Anything deemed sub-par or scorn-worthy would be left out. I decided that a weekly newsletter would be a good way to gage interest in the content and theme of Highwater, which I ultimately want to turn into a magazine.
I'll write more at some point about what steps I actually took to start The Highwater Weekly, but to prepare for the magazine launch, I read several blog posts, attended many webinars, and grew my "Launch Magazine" list in Cloud Outliner to over 50 steps.
Anxiety crept in. Not only had I not taken any steps forward, there were several people I wanted to interview and feature, but since I had not properly "launched" the magazine, I held back.
Then, on the eve of my friend Janice's first solo exhibition, I took out my iPhone, opened Voice Memos and asked her questions. I used photos she took in the gallery with $5 worth of Christmas decorations, and I wrote Highwater Magazine's first article.
I decided not to launch. I just started.
Launching vs. Starting
When you launch you-
- Line out steps in advance
- Schedule these steps
- Create ways to get investment from stakeholders before the product is public
- Launch parts of the product/project in phases
- Evaluate results and make changes
When you start you-
- Start either a part or the whole product/project
- Finish it
- Release it to the public
- Evaluate results and make changes
Launching may be more appropriate versus just starting if any of the following apply to you:
- You are not prone to procrastination
- You are creating a product with investors and/ or it needs to be profitable right away
- You have created successful products in your industry before
You should consider starting as opposed to launching if any of these apply to you:
- You don't know if there is a market or audience for what you want to make
- You are prone to procrastinating
- You do more planning than executing
- You don't have much money/capital invested in what you're starting/ you don't have to turn a profit right away
Personally, I'm going to focus more on starting than launching in 2016. This doesn't mean I won't plan and get feedback, but I will do it while making progress, not before.
As for Highwater Magazine? I have some great content planned for the future. If my plans get too big though, I just put out what I have. In this scenario, done is more important than perfect.
Your Turn: Would you rather launch or start your next endeavor? Reply via email or on Twitter with the hashtag #HWStart
Don't Wait, Create,
Chakka AKA Trillie Jackson
|
