Dear Author-Illustrator - Be Encouraged To Move At Least One Thought Closer To Your Goals Each Day
I want to encourage you today, to use the minutes that you have to spare to become at least one thought closer to your goal.
This is a practice that I have used over the last 30+ years of my life that have served me well.
It’s actually a concept I learned in a book that is now a few decades old. It’s a book called “Who Moved My Cheese?” Which is a great fable written by Spencer Johnson.
Who Moved My Cheese - Summary
In the book, two fictional mice are in a maze, looking for cheese that is provided to them by a character who provides them with cheese. Until one day, the cheese isn’t there in the location that the mice traveled to each time. In the parable, there is one mouse who keeps going to the same location, expecting the same reward, but finds nothing because someone moved the cheese. The second mouse character accepts the challenge of change and explores different routes to find the cheese.
I found this book to be so valuable in teaching me many of the valuable life lessons below.
Lesson one: Embrace Change
The book emphasizes the importance of embracing change, even if it feels uncomfortable. Change is like a challenging dance, constantly evolving. By accepting change, you open doors to new opportunities and growth. As an author-illustrator, being adaptable and open to change allows you to explore different styles, experiment with new ideas, and connect with a wider audience.
Lesson two: Be Proactive
Being proactive means taking charge of your own journey. Instead of waiting for opportunities to come your way, actively seek them out. Network with fellow artists, participate in workshops, and promote your work. Through proactive efforts, you can create your own luck and pave the way for success.
Lesson three: Set Micro-Goals
Setting micro-goals is like breaking down big dreams into smaller, manageable steps. It helps you maintain focus and motivation, as each accomplishment brings you one step closer to your ultimate goal. Write down these goals, such as finishing a draft, improving your art skills, or attending industry events. By setting and achieving micro-goals, you build momentum and increase your chances of achieving your larger ambitions.
Lesson four: Persevere and Adapt
Persistence and adaptability are key qualities for any author-illustrator. The journey may be challenging, with setbacks and rejections, but perseverance keeps you going. Adaptability allows you to learn from experiences, adjust your strategies, and keep growing. Remember, each obstacle you overcome strengthens your skills and resilience.
Moving one thought closer to making a goal a reality signifies progress. It means taking action, making decisions, and moving forward. By consistently taking small steps toward your dreams, you accumulate knowledge, experience, and a sense of accomplishment. Each thought you transform into action brings you closer to manifesting your goals in reality.
The impact of these lessons is immense in the life of a time-starved budding children's book author-illustrator.
The lessons from "Who Moved My Cheese" resonate with today's aspiring children's book author-illustrators. Through assonance, consonance, and alliteration, the book imparts wisdom on embracing change, being proactive, setting micro-goals, and persevering with adaptability. Remember, progress comes from moving one thought closer to making a goal a reality, and written micro-goals serve as stepping stones towards achieving your dreams.
Be encouraged to INTENSELY focus on what you need to do to move toward your goal. Break that goal down into small, achievable chunks. If you have to, ask, what can I wrap my mind around while I’m sitting at this red light, or when I have just two minutes to spare today, how can I use those two minutes to move myself at least one thought closer to my goal?