How to tell if it’s worth it

Two questions (and a cat) / Issue 1,136

Oh, hi friends! 

What makes something "worth it" to you?

Here are a few benefits you might get from a new project or endeavor.

• Prestige

• Bragging rights

• Financial gain ($$$)

• Developing a skill

• Deeper connection

• Self-satisfaction

• Fulcrum (if I do X, I'll get closer to Y)

• Scratching a curiosity itch

And on and on.

The thing is: every project has its own recipe.

The disconnect happens when we forget what benefits we were expecting.

You get a new job that comes with financial gain (yay!) and prestige (cool!) but it fails to satisfy your curiosity or doesn't lead to learning. 

You start a side project that delights your brain and connects you with others, but it lacks a fulcrum (so you wonder how it fits with your larger web of life) and doesn't immediately start making money.

What do we do?

Do we quit? Pivot?

Become dissatisfied and resent something we kind of liked in the first place?

Jump ship?

We can ask two questions, I think:

1. Is it better more often than it's bad?

2. Am I willing to keep working and continue to be patient?

If the answer to both is "yes" then you're well on your way.

If the answer to either is "no" then maybe it's time to rethink. 

What do you want now from your project? 

Change the purpose or the timeline.

Change your effort or strategy.

Change something.

You're worth the time it takes.

PS — If you’re working through a project and want some creative guidance, brainstorming, and accountability, I’m taking on a few new Launch the Plane clients this month! Book here. <3

PPS — Do It (or Don’t) has its first Amazon review! If you’re enjoying the journal, I’d so appreciate you leaving a quick review and rating so this journal doesn’t disappear into the ether. You can leave a review on Amazon even if you didn’t buy it there! Scroll down and on the lefthand side there’s a button: Write a customer review.

Look at me, being brave and ASKING (in a PPS footnote lol how passive — but still, it all counts). There’s a whole chapter in Do It (or Don’t) on “The Art of Asking” btw. Alright HAVE A NICE WEEK, FRIENDS.