Okay, I have to be honest. I’m still working on one part of this key to success. At present, working ahead is an intermittent habit. What I do know is that when I do work ahead, I find life to be so much easier because it decreases stress. When I write ahead, I don’t get up each day thinking about needing to write a post. I want to get into a schedule of writing as many posts on Mondays and Tuesdays as possible, and then I can schedule them to publish on the chosen days at particular times. My plan is to get a month ahead on posts. I haven’t gotten to this point yet, but it is a goal I’m working toward.
Each year, there is a massive fireworks show in my state that draws thousands of people from all over the country. Yes, it is amazing when it happens, but the work leading up to it is a major undertaking. Streets have to be closed, stages constructed, safety measures instituted, and fireworks displays arranged. All those things are behind the scenes activities, but the huge 4th of July fireworks show is the payoff. That’s what behind the scenes work can accomplish.
I’ve been working behind the scenes for a while. When I decided to make this blog about changing careers and becoming a freelance writer, I began to work behind the scenes deciding which posts fit the niche and which ones did not. Some of those posts became the basis for my Bible blog, Endurance for Every Day. Some of those posts will eventually migrate to other blogs because I have so many ideas. Those many ideas are the reason I like working behind the scenes.
I have been learning as I go on this blog. I started it in 2016, but I only truly started writing regularly last year. Behind the scenes, I have been studying about how to make it a better blog for readers to learn from and enjoy. I have gathered books on starting a small business, becoming a better writer, and getting organized. I’m slowly working my way through those books and noting the important details. I’m cleaning out things that I don’t need and organizing my workspace. I’m slowly gathering and organizing all of my writing, and I honestly can’t believe how much I have written. I also continue to read and curate my personal library because a good writer reads a lot. I’m also writing posts for a blog I haven’t created yet. Behind the scenes, I continue to create and cultivate habits that will improve my blogs in the long term.
Whatever your goal, just remember the work behind the scenes builds the product everyone else sees. We may not get a lot of praise for this work no one witnesses, but the final product will be worth the effort. It can take a while to establish a schedule that allows for working behind the scenes and creating content ahead of time. I’m still trying to create the best schedule for that, but the point is that I’m working on the schedule. Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to do everything at once. Develop consistency and then start working behind the scenes so you can work ahead on your goals. Those small steps will lead to the accomplishments you’re working toward.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Inspirational Verse for the Day:
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10, NKJV)
All Things Subject to Change 