Last week, I promised, "You just have to go at something for ten years with consistency, correct practice, and metacognition. And you'll be surprised at what you can do after just three years."
I decided to look back at these posts. Robert and I started in January of 2017. Robert does the illustrations, I do the text. We made no promise of consistency. We promised some occasional pieces, and that's what we did.
Looking back, the first was January 19. The next was March 10,. Then another ten months to January 23, 2018. That began a period of brief consistency, We had done ten by August 22, 2018. Then another ten months gap to April 22, 2019. After that, we posted almost every week until July 26. Skipped to August. Skipped to October. Skipped to November, December, January, 2020. Then weekly again to February 27.
We got random again, and maintained that randomness for another year. In March of 2021, we started a podcast. We were consistent with that, but lost the will a year later in March of 2022.
September 19 2023. Robert and I decided to reduce our distribution list to our most active readers and to post every week. We've stayed at it for a year now. Also this year, I joined a writer's group to refine my craft. I've been in and out of writer's groups since my undergraduate days, and participating in one uplifts my craft.
We have three more years to go until ten years. What surprised me after the first three? I learned I don't want to write marketing messages. I want to write about human cognition from the rational edge of where the rational meets the numinous. What surprised me after the next three years is that there is a small, but significant group of you who are engaging us with this.
Looking back over seven years, I can see how hard it has been to maintain consistency. We're not making excuses, and at the same time, while we haven't been consistent with cadence, Robert and I have consistently worked to be more authentically who we are. Robert's hand and my voice are more confident and distinctive. What's been consistent has been our efforts to keep improving our skills and our communication. Special thanks to Connor, who supported us with images during the early months of Robert's parental leave.
What's also been consistent is we keep coming back. From two posts in 2017 to 37 posts so far in 2024. We've consistently progressed toward consistency. At the same time, we're a day late with this post, because I didn't get Robert the text in time before he went on an early fall break. I'm committed to doing better next week.
Seven years of working toward consistency. Best of all is seeing those of you who have consistently stayed with us. Your consistency gives us the heart to keep serving.
Next up: Correct practice
Warm regards,
Francis Sopper
REFERENCED IN THIS LETTER: