Being Behind Schedule

I want to take a moment to talk to the folks invested in a second book project or a first book project after tenure or those folks working on a passion project. I want to talk to you all because there’s a specific difficulty with these projects. In a word: time.

When working on these projects, I hear an array of concerns related to time: This is taking too long. I should have been done years ago. How does a project take a decade? What is wrong with me that I can’t just get it together and write this thing? So much has gotten in the way of me completing this. I should be further along but….

I just want to tell you that you’re right on time.

We often have a timeline we wish for our careers and the projects related to those careers. Folks understand age and time as prerequisites for career movement. But, in the vernacular wisdom of the ages, ain’t necessarily so.

Thing is, passion projects, second book projects, first books post tenure, and other similarly situated writing endeavors all take more time than people expect. For some of us, this will be logistic. If you were doing a project on Cuba prior to certain international policy and travel changes, your project would take awhile. If you’re working on a project that requires you learn a new skill, you’ll need to do that first. These delays can be frustrating.

But, you’re still right on time.

For some folks, your project is delayed because you’re not quite ready to write it. If you are doing a project requiring personal growth, you may not complete it until you’re done with that area of growth. If your project challenges you in an area of grief, loneliness, depression, anxiety, or fear, you can only move as quickly as your mind/body allows. When folk attempt to rush these kinds of projects, they won’t give what they’re supposed to give. They’ll feel undone to you and possibly to your audience.

Still on time, y’all.

For others, you may have some outside pressures. If your project required archival research, or items blocked by the supply chain delays in 2020, then your project may take awhile. If you welcomed a child into your family, welcomed a partner into your heart, or if you lost someone you love, your project will have some delays. If you moved, expect delays.

Guess what? You’re on time.

These projects move at the speed of your life. Often they are projects that require our vulnerability, so they take as long as it takes for you to be vulnerable. Thing is, you can’t rush that.

I can understand if you’re reading this and you’re still frustrated – but I want to be done with this! – so I’ll offer the following. Identify the reason why your project is taking longer than you anticipated. Logistical issues typically have clear solutions. Psychological concerns need to be massaged away with care and grace and, sometimes, accountability. External pressures require you to decrease your expectations of yourself (and sometimes others). Also, care and grace.

I hope you know you’re not behind. And, I’m rooting for you to keep on going.