2 Weeks of Straight Content - 3 Lessons Learned
Yesterday's photo release marks the 10th day and second week of releasing daily content as I announced I would be doing in this blog post. It's been very invigorating to be releasing content regularly again, especially doing so with videos as well as podcasts and blog articles.At the same time though, it's been rigorous and grueling. I've sure noticed how it's been taking the time I'd normally be spending time with friends or family. As such, I've been putting a great deal of thought and observation into how I can make my work process more efficient. So here are the three new methods I plan to put into practice immediately.
Work on similar content in bursts
When I was being homeschooled, I had a love-hate relationship with Saxon math. I liked it because I like math. I hated it because every two questions were a different kind of math. I couldn't get into a rhythm, so it took forever. I've found it's the same with my content.I'm often more efficient when I don't have to change trains of thought and focus. So if I'm editing photos, doing 2-4 of those at a time helps me get them all done faster, as well as have them all done ahead of time for release throughout the month. Doing this for everything will help me plan ahead and use my time efficiently.
Keep going
It's easy to fall into the trap of, "I worked ahead, so I can take it easy." I say "trap" because taking that route is like taking vacations. They're nice while they last, but if you spend them lazing around, then when work time comes again, it hits you like a ton of bricks.Don't let that happen.My plan is to maintain a steady flow of continuous work, even when I'm able to get ahead. Much like any other exercise, it has to be continuous or your progress will revert to where it was.
Setbacks aren't an excuse for failure
This last week, three separate things happened that were huge setbacks. First, my co-host wasn't able to edit this week's podcast episode, which meant I needed to edit it instead. I was able to get it out late that evening after power-editing, but it was a long night.Second, I recorded my Thursday video tutorial, but the file framerate got messed up (long story) and there was no quick fix in sight. Instead of a fully produced episode, I recorded a quick screen recording of me editing this week's photo and released that instead.And third, video editing. Due to the other two setbacks, I had way less time to edit the video for last week. But with one final push, I was able to get it out early Saturday, with a quick blog recommendation on Friday to satisfy content for that day (nailed it).Main takeaway? Look for the solution, not the monkey wrench. It was really tempting Thursday night to throw up my hands and say, "Whatever!". But I had options available to me and taking them rather than giving up because the first option didn't work out was what allowed me to find success
Oh, and one more thing...
Life's full of distractions, accidents, monkey wrenches, and unforeseen obstacles. But it isn't those that define our success, it's how we react to them. I had many chances to react poorly to this past week's struggles, but I was able to overcome them by reacting well.But I want to stress that it isn't only the practical "work hard and be awesome" solutions that are necessary. If I may get kind of preachy for a second, God must be a part of our plans, or they will inevitably fail."We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." Proverbs 16:9Of all the advice I've given in this post, this is most important. God can empower you to accomplish anything, but it must be consistent with His will. So focus on God, work hard, lay your plans. If you have God determining the steps you'll take, you can't fail. Maybe you'll go in a direction you hadn't considered or planned, but in the end, it will be His direction, and that's a direction worth walking in.Preachiness over. Find the workflow that works best for you, don't stop when you have more to do, and don't let setbacks set your course. I look forward to seeing what you can accomplish, and to testing this new strategy with my own content in the weeks to come.Stay classy! ~Ryan Matlock