When what you’re doing isn’t working
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Closure is another word for what we think of as failure.
But failure’s not so bad, really, and that’s why we say Closure instead. Because maybe it will help you think of something differently.
Closure is what you need when you’re working and working on something, but the something isn’t working.
The song isn’t playing. The melody is off, the tempo is all wrong, the lyrics stink.
The draft isn’t worth reading. The characters aren’t believable, the plot isn’t strong, and the whole thing just falls flat after chapter 3.
The business isn’t building. You’ve put in the blood, sweat, and tears, but the product isn’t selling and the target market isn’t interested. Nobody’s interested.
There’s a point when you realize that you can’t salvage the work.
And that’s the point when you call it closed.
You put it all in a big manila envelope, you put a big red X on the front, and you toss it in a box labeled “Stuff I have tried that didn’t work.”
That’s a great box, by the way. Know why? Because it’s got something in it. It’s stuff you TRIED. You attempted. You did the work, and it didn’t work, and that’s okay.
Because you did the part of moving it from concept to creation. Once created, or in the process of creating, you realized it wasn’t that great.
Good for you being able to see it. Objectivity is a gift.
Closure is a valid option, but here’s the key: make it real. Make it definite. Say: I tried this, it didn’t work, and I’m calling it closed. Don’t just fade away and leave little pieces out and keep staring at it and sweating over it and carrying it around. Be done. Closure.
Then you’re free to move on to the next attempt.
