Treating the Next Few Months Like a Fall Semester
I miss the romanticism of studying in college. I particularly miss selecting which courses I’d take every semester and how I could track clear progress toward my double major in English Literature and Economics. I remember the sweet feeling of victory on my last day of school, walking out of Bascom Hall in Madison Wisconsin knowing I did it (cue Elle Woods moment).
For the next few months, I’d like to treat my work like a college semester.
The major I’m working toward? Publishing my first book.
The courses I’m taking over the next few months
I like the idea of creating a few courses that I can focus my “studies” on:
Reverse Engineering Dreamy Writing Careers
Growing Your Email List 101
Independent Study: Book Revisions
Extracurriculars
Tana French: The Art and Soul of Mystery
Journaling and Sketching
Interior Design
Maybe even studying abroad
I’ve been thinking about going around Europe by myself for two weeks with my laptop in tow and working my way through different landscapes. It would be a financial investment as compared to working from home, but it sounds really romantic, adventurous, and peaceful…
The textbooks and professors
My professors are everyone and anyone: writers, podcast hosts, coaches, family, friends, and clients.
I tend to find the right textbooks as I go. Right now, I’m reading “The One Thing” by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. My local library has so many incredible resources on any topic I could possibly want to study.
I’m also subscribed to Masterclass so I get to take as many courses there as I wish. Right now, I’m loving Salman Rushie’s course on writing and storytelling.
The romanticism of university I’ll be slipping into my days
Slowing down and having a clear schedule
Packing my backpack with my laptop and books
Notebooks, pens, and binders
Libraries
Coffeeshops
Holding warm coffee or tea in my hands
Dancing the night away. I really do miss this from my college days. Hi, Sophie.
Seeing movies by myself when I need to get away
Musty bookstores
Warm hoodies
Giving ourselves context on a perpetually unfolding journey
Back in college, I had context of where I was in life. I knew how many semesters it would take to graduate. Now, I feel like I’ve been studying my craft of writing and business for years. And yet, I don’t have a clear timetable for when I will “graduate” and whether I’ll be awarded any honors at all. In truth, there are no textbooks, courses, or professors. But that’s okay. Because my rewards are much richer than a diploma these days.
I’m now a student of life and all the wonderful things I’m interested in. I’m pursuing a dream: a published book in my hands and increasing abundance in my business. There are no rules in the Wild West of entrepreneurship. There are no bosses, work hours, or required meetings. There are only the semesters I create for myself and whatever romanticism I choose to infuse into my work and life. As my coach, Taylor Elyse Morrison, once told me:
“What a beautiful life you are building for yourself.”
