January 15, 2010

Optimism is good, right? Usually. But not when it’s a cover-up for fear and denial.

I read a quote last week that got me thinking about the current publishing economy and my career. I’ve lived through a couple of publishing recessions before, and without me making many changes, it eventually “righted” itself.

Not In Kansas Anymore?

My attitude has been the same during this recession. I planned to just ride it out and not make any changes. The following quote, plus some recent reports on the state of the industry, are making me re-think things. What do you think about this quote?

“There’s no difference between a pessimist who says, ‘Oh, it’s hopeless, so don’t bother doing anything,’ and an optimist who says, ‘Don’t bother doing anything, it’s going to turn out fine anyway.’ Either way, nothing happens.” ~~Yvon Chouinard, climber

Digging Deeper

Fear is hard to face–for all of us. Sometimes we disguise it as optimism, assuring ourselves that things will somehow work out (whether it’s a problem at work, an issue in our marriage or with our children, or the increased difficulty in getting published.) I’ve always been an action-oriented person, but something about the above quote bothers me. I think it’s because it describes ME lately.

According to Timothy Ferriss (The 4-Hour Workweek), most people don’t like to face fear, so they dress it up as optimistic denial. They don’t want to quit their jobs, so they assure themselves it will all work out eventually. They don’t want a divorce, so they assure themselves it’s just a bump in the road. The issue with the child is just a phase–it will pass. And publishing as we knew it will be back soon–we just need to wait it out.

Maybe–but Maybe Not!

How can you tell if your optimism is realistic or simply denying a problem you don’t want to face and deal with? Here are some of Ferriss’ pointed questions:

• Do you really think it will improve or is it wishful thinking and an excuse for inaction?
• Are you better off than you were one year ago, one month ago, or one week ago? (If not, things will not improve by themselves.)

Now What?

I think I’m going to journal this weekend about these questions in several areas of my writing life. I’d love to hear your reactions as well.

11 Comments »

1. 

   Kristi, I’m with you, wondering what the result of this publishing recession will be. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts.

   Comment by Maritha Burmeister — January 15, 2010 @ 4:58 pm

2. 

   Maritha, the more I’m reading “year end” summaries of changes and predictions, the more it’s making me think that some things will never be quite the same. I don’t even mean that in a bad way–just different. We shall see!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — January 15, 2010 @ 7:48 pm

3. 

   Well, as a newbie, I vacillate between “It just HAS to get better…doesn’t it??” and “OMG, I am doomed, my timing is awful, why did I have to choose NOW to start writing, I’m never going to get published!” I’m working my tail off, hoping something will pay off…not really thinking about the possibility it might not.

   Comment by Yvette — January 15, 2010 @ 8:47 pm

4. 

   Yvette, I think your vacillating feelings are probably more common than not. I’m glad to hear that you’re working your tail off just the same. I think it’s going to be a requirement, no matter how it all shakes out.

   Comment by Kristi Holl — January 16, 2010 @ 2:31 pm

5. 

   It’s funny but in the business world, nobody is talking like this (and isn’t publishing a business?). We tend to think that because we have little control over whether a publisher accepts our manuscripts or not, that we’ll just go along as usual and the publisher will sort it out.
   Most business/entrepreneur stuff I read says the opposite – that now is the time to move ahead and make new decisions, work harder, experiment with new directions, and work even harder. Don’t sit back and wait because you’ll get left way behind.
   I think things will move and change this year, and it will be very easy to get left in the dust!

   Comment by Sherryl — January 16, 2010 @ 5:05 pm

6. 

   Sherryl, this is certainly going to be a year of changes, I think. It will be fun to see a year from now how everything plays out. This is going to be the year to work smarter instead of harder (for me). What a balancing act, huh? Some things will have to go to make room for things I need to take on. Will be an interesting year!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — January 16, 2010 @ 8:38 pm

7. 

   Well, I’m the perennial optimist and things always have had a way of working out for me, so this is why I have chosen to focus on craft more heavily. Because as Harold Underdown had put it in one of his articles: “After every recession, there is a recovery.” I plan to have some good stuff ready to go out in a couple of years. But, because I’m a magazine junkie as well, I’m polishing shorts to send out to the tune of one a month. Seems doable. We’ll see what this year brings.

   Comment by Vijaya — January 18, 2010 @ 12:31 am

8. 

   Hmm…optimistic denial? I had never considered that as a possibility before but definitely think it bears merit in thought. I need to reassess as well and see where I am at in my writing and goal planning. Thanks for the post, Krisi.

   Karin Larson
   http://www.karin-larson.blogspot.com

   Comment by Karin Larson — January 18, 2010 @ 7:38 am

9. 

   The Poor Poet, a funny old painting might be
   of use following Kristi’s advice.
   Even though it’s old, the painting depicts a
   widespread fear, real concern. And then there is
   of course the chance to turn into something
   enjoyable without cover-up and denial. Kristi
   makes a really good point.

   Comment by Joe — January 18, 2010 @ 1:56 pm

10. 

    Vijay, I think you have the perfect balance. Be optimistic–I am too–but also be working to improve during this down time so you have something really good to submit when the buying starts up again. Good strategy!

    Comment by Kristi Holl — January 19, 2010 @ 3:36 pm

11. 

    Love this – yes, optimistic denial exists!
    In partnerships of all sorts (boss/worker or spouse/spouse or child/parent…).
    I once had a conversation about personal finances with an ex during which I said, “We should plan for this year to be tight, you know, plan for the worst but hope for the best.” His response? “To me, planning for the worst is like deciding to fail.”
    That was eye-opening.
    With publishers the attitude is the catch-22 of, “Show me that a new model can be successful, then we’ll copy it…” except we are establishing that very model.

    Comment by amy eden — May 31, 2011 @ 11:50 am

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