Tag: motivation

Review

Grit – Angela Duckworth

Krista Walsh

Now that I finished Feck Perfuction and rediscovered my motivation to take risks and follow my passions for the sake of my mental health and ultimate happiness in the world, I’ve decided to pick up Grit by Angela Duckworth—a look at how “talent” is perceived by the world at large and how little it means compared to this little thing called “effort.”

I only just started this one, and so far it hasn’t gripped me, but I like the idea behind it.

How can one feel discouraged or disheartened when the only way to get ahead is to develop your “stick-to-itness”?

She poses the theory that there are two equations to achievement, and that effort counts twice.

Talent + effort = skill

Skill + effort = achievement

And on a basic level, this makes a lot of sense, and I’m curious to see where she takes her theory throughout the course of the book.

So far this one hasn’t grabbed me as much of many of the others I’ve read this year, but I’ll keep you posted as I get further into it!

Thoughts

Bit of Luck – LOT of Passion

Krista Walsh

I’ve had a lot of reason to think about what it takes to run your own business, lately. What qualifies as success? When do you know you’ve “made it”?

I still don’t know the answers to that question. I’ve been doing this full-time author thing on and off for three years now, and I still question every morning as to whether I’m doing well enough to keep going with it.

But I do. Every day I face the paperwork and the writing-related tasks and aim to get the next book read and the current books sold.

Most days, it’s a challenge. Some days it’s next to impossible. The days between those, I stare at the wall and ask myself what kind of day job I’d like to have.

Why can’t I determine whether I’ve hit success or not? Because it’s the arts, and nothing about the arts is predictable. A book that’s selling really well today will stop selling altogether tomorrow. Then stay quiet until, suddenly, out of the blue, a wild promotion appears*! Books take off! I’m doing well! I’ve finally made it! …. then crickets.

A lot of the arts is luck, and anyone who tells you otherwise is likely too lucky to have noticed it.

That’s not to say it’s everything — luck without hard work is great for the short term, but it can’t last unless you’re, like, SUPER lucky.

The other important factor?

Passion.

Not just what you feel for what you bring to your work every day, but what you show the world. If you’re feeling meh about your project, why should other people care? If you’re super pumped about it — the motivations, the ideas, the meaning — then your audience/clients/etc. have something to connect with. They have a reason to feel passionate and excited about seeing the final product.

That’s what keeps the heart in the work.

That in itself isn’t easy all the time, but that’s why it’s so important to foster it, nurture it, express it in every way, shape, and form you possibly can.

So all the hard work with a liberal splash of passion and a healthy sprinkle of luck?

Sounds great to me.

*like now! Are you a fan of abandoned asylums, murder mysteries, and strong family ties? The first book in my supernatural thriller series is on sale for 99c until July 26!

Review

Feck Perfuction – Final Thoughts

Krista Walsh

Yesterday I wrapped up James Victore’s Feck Perfuction, and I have some final thoughts.

If you are a creative person, read this book.

If you are debating whether to start out on a new branch in life, read this book.

Basically, if you’re looking for some tough love to help you tackle your fear and just GO FOR IT, read this book.

From start to finish, these little one-page thoughts reinforced what some important people in my life have always told me/what I try to tell myself when the going gets tough.

Accept the fear, embrace it, love it, and do it anyway.

I plan to keep this book in my office and open a random page as often as I can for a fresh kick in the pants and an affirmation that I’m doing the only thing that will make me happy, no matter how terrifying.

Have you read this book yet? What do you think? Let me know in the comments!