Create A Body Of Work

And Use It in the Future

I’ve been writing every day for almost two years now.

Some days, I feverishly write as I try to keep up with the endless stream of inspiration.

Other days, writing can feel like pulling teeth.

During these days, ideas are hard to come by, words escape me, and it takes forever just to write a few sentences.

Inching forward, self-doubt creeps in and I sometimes think:

“Why the hell am I doing this?”

Why have I assigned myself the militaristic task of sitting down and writing each and every day? What will come from all of this?

Does this sound familiar?

It should. After all, we all have this inner voice.

This inner critic questions every move we make, hoping to derail us at every turn. It doesn’t want to be challenged. It wants us to give up and settle for comfortable complacency. It shrieks with glee when it sees this screen:

So, what exactly do we do about this?

Honestly, there isn’t much we can do except for putting our heads down and doing the work.

We have to remember that, sometimes, the purpose isn’t the destination; it’s the journey.

When it comes to writing or any other type of content creation, consistency is key. This doesn’t just apply to consistently creating our own content; it also applies to the consistent distribution of our own content.

It might be easy to lose focus now, but fast forward a few years, and you will have a robust body of work that displays several important things:

Growth — This is undoubtedly the most important benefit of consistent content creation. Whether it’s for you or someone else, showing growth is an attractive quality, both in personal and professional settings. This body of work will serve as a portfolio moving forward, showing both your work and your process.

Discipline — As much as we all hate to admit it, not everyone has discipline. It’s the fundamental difference between executing as a professional and settling for being an amateur. Practicing consistency can help develop our sense of discipline, which can be applied to almost any task in the future.

Flexibility — This may not be as apparent at first, but once you have a body of work, you have the flexibility to repurpose and redistribute it later on. Think about it. After writing for two years, I have hundreds of articles to draw from. I can find certain trends in my writing, compile them, and publish a book. Similarly, I can share specific articles as reference points when speaking with someone new.

Expertise — In many industries, people who actively speak, write, and facilitate conversation are seen as experts or thought leaders. After all, if you devote a significant period of time to creating content around specific topics, you will naturally gather insight along the way. Insight that others are looking for.

These are just a few ways putting in the work now can pay off in the future. In the end, it all depends on how much you want to grow as a professional.

Personally, I think it’s never too early to start creating content and sharing it with others. There is always someone who can benefit from your experience, no matter where you are in whatever journey you’re on.

Admittedly, it will be hard.

At first, creating your own content will be new and exciting. You’ll bask in the endless possibilities of honing and sharing your gifts.

After the honeymoon phase wears off, that self-doubt will inevitably sink in. This is when thinking long-term will help with consistency.

And don’t forget; you will stumble. You will take a day off to recharge. You will become distracted.

And this is OK, as long as you continue forward.

If you’re not moving forward, you aren’t going anywhere at all.

Are you starting to create your own content? Having trouble remaining consistent? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on Twitter at @williamfrazr.

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