Foundations First

The shiny parts of the house don’t stand up on their own.

People often want – or even demand – the shiny results. They unrealistically demand this of themselves, of others, of the world. They don’t always want all the results immediately, but people get very upset if they don’t see progress toward results almost instantly.

But often you just have to pre-heat the oven, you know? A foundation has to be laid first, and while that’s real work, it’s often invisible. If you pay someone to ghost-write your book for you, they’re doing tangible research work for weeks before the first word goes on the page. If you’re the kind of person who yells “It’s been three weeks and you haven’t written one word?! What am I paying you for,” then you’re not going to get many quality results in life.

For any project of real substance, ask that question first: “What foundation is needed here?” Being aware of the need will help keep you patient and realistic. And that’s a solid foundation all on its own.