20 rules for dreamers

1. There is no right answer.
2. Start with options.
3. Choose flow over force….
4. …but force if necessary with value-driven action.
5. The first two hours are a warm up.
6. Anything can be done ten minutes at a time.
7. Accept the possibility of making no progress, or a mistake, or a shitty first draft.*
8. One thing at a time.
9. Even the greats don’t know what they’re doing half the time.
10. If you’re not facing your fear, you’re not working.
11. Limitations are opportunities for creative solutions.
12. This isn’t about feeling good.
13. It’s about getting on with your life.
14. Negative thoughts can be written down, tape recorded, or otherwise set aside so that you can get back to work.
15. Leave room for what you can’t imagine.
16. It doesn’t have to make sense.
17. You don’t have to achieve anything.
18. Final grades are based 50% on effort and 50% on self-honesty.
19. It’s okay to take it slow.
20. Make your own rules.

* See Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.