We’re all familiar with the standard productivity advice given to those who want to accomplish something big. “If you want to [write a novel, run a marathon, crochet 100 afghans],” the productivity gurus say, “you must make it a habit. Do it every day. Wake up early. Track your time, and then figure out when you can squeeze in more time. Keep your body healthy. Have an accountability partner. Reward your milestones.” 
All of that advice is helpful. But it doesn’t get to the root of why some people are able to bring projects to completion, or even create careers based on them, and others fall off after a few months.
The root is this: How much do you really want to do it?
If you really want to do it, you’ll be willing to do whatever it takes.
If you really want to do it, you’ll find the time and space in your life. The time and space will create itself, because you’ll be so focused on it.
If you really want to do it, you’ll feel committed to the project even on days or weeks when it’s not going well.
If you really want to do it, you won’t be able to imagine a finish line. You think you’ll be pursuing this project forever- and that feels natural.
If you really want to do it, you’ll feel as in love/committed to the project as you are to a living partner.
If you really want to do it, you’ll always have a seed of faith and courage to nurture, even when times get tough.
I’ve written about the relationship between me and my writing before in a joking way, as in this post from DIY MFA about romancing a big project, or this WFTS post about how my writing relationship has evolved. It can be humorous to compare non-human relationships to human ones. But mostly it’s terrifyingly similar. In order to accomplish something big, you need the same ardor, the same commitment, the same faith that it’s going to work out. You need all the ingredients, in other words, of a good marriage.
So whether you’re thinking about starting a new project, or you’ve already got one underway, consider this: How much do you want it? Are you willing to be married to it?
Cue the wedding march.
I am so enjoying your posts, Leanne, and glad Lucille Grippo thought to share your blog with me.
Thank you and welcome, Anne! I’m also grateful to Lucille for the connection.
Yes. Yes, yes, YES. 🙂 This is one of the reasons why I’m planning to fit in time on weeknights for Draft #3. I want to be able to spend a little more time on it each week; and now that I’m planning to print out and mark it up by hand, it’ll also help me get away from the computer for a little bit each night.
And in general, when you really want something, you’ll work even harder. You’ll make sacrifices for it (though it’s not healthy to sacrifice everything for it!). You’ll refuse to give up despite the valleys between the peaks, and despite other people not understanding your goal. And if it’s meant to be, and if you practice gratitude enough, the universe might just conspire in your favor. (There’s always a little bit of luck involve, right?)
You got it, Sara! Writers, especially, are always told that it’s not so much about talent as it is determination and grit. You can’t hold onto either of those things unless you really want it, deep down in your gut. And you have to nurture that feeling so it stays strong when things get hard.
I can’t wait to read more about draft #3 on your blog 🙂