But why would you want to?

 

Some years back there was an ad campaign tagged “Never Stop, Never Settle.” It was designed to breathe new life into Hennessy Cognac.

 

I’ll admit it, the ads really caught my attention… they didn’t motivate me to buy their cognac, but I completely bought into their metaphorical spirits.

 

True Disclosure: On my desk is a framed swipe from one of the campaign’s magazine ads. It’s made up of a shadow image of a long-eared rabbit and the text—

 

It’s there. In the back of your head. On your shoulder. Behind your eyes. Lurking in the corner of the room.”

 

It continues, “The voice that keeps you up at night. The song you haven’t yet sung. The story you have yet to tell. The idea that refuses to die.”

 

“And it whispers: never, ever stop. Few hear it. Even fewer chase it.”

 

“What’s your wild rabbit?”

 

Do you have one?

 

It could be that secret project?

 

What’s your history novel about? Do you have one?

 

I live outside Washington, DC. When I first moved to this part of the country over twenty-five years ago, it seemed like every third or fourth person I would get to know on a slightly deeper level was writing a history novel on the side.

 

Why not? Washington is the epicenter of American history. There are a lot of side-gig historians who are insanely passionate about these things.

 

Soooo, no history novel?

 

Me either. But… What’s that special project?

 

Do you have a thing on the side that you don’t tell anyone about?

 

Maybe because it’s not ready for prime time?

 

Maybe because you’re a tiny bit embarrassed?

 

Because you’re not supposed to do things like this?

 

(I’m not talking about having your own fifty shades room… we won’t go there).

 

Maybe it’s something you do that’s just for you?

 

You have one, but don’t aspire to release it to the world. You only do it for you, for the personal satisfaction it gives you back. And maybe, just maybe… for a select few deserving friends.

 

That’s okay. That’s exactly why we do this sort of thing. It can be for you or it can be for the world.

 

Why do projects go secret anyway? Why do they get pushed aside?

 

When I’m asked about future plans, especially when I don’t care to give a direct answer, I tell people “I’m going to work on all those things that well-meaning people discouraged me from pursuing when I was younger… (and now, not so younger).”

 

Let me share some family history to illustrate…

 

Starting a business has always been on my mind. However, my grandfather was allegedly banished to the basement in his later years due to somewhat lacking quarterly results of business number three (of the ones I knew about). Entrepreneurial encouragement in our family was forever banned with him.

 

Until recently.

 

Art? Well, no one makes any money doing that… even though grandma’s house was filled with original art from local and regional artists. I call that covert support for the arts. But beyond dabbling… art wasn’t encouraged.

 

I’ll stop with the grandma bashing, she doesn’t deserve it. She was only protecting her own.

 

Discouragement designed to protect comes from many directions. Of all the well-intended, coated in love and protection I heard growing up, only one was at least partially true—

 

If you’re going to become a musician, it helps to be able to keep the beat.”

 

Boom. Up in smoke went the rock star aspirations with one small technicality.

 

Going dark doesn’t universally begin with family and friends.

 

Writers for example. Why do some use pen names? For a few, I think it’s so they can write as someone else… because someone else can write, when they’re not so sure they can. It works for them.

 

Everybody needs a project… that lends a sense of purpose, some personal satisfaction. Something to explore. An active way to learn.

 

Is it only for you, or to send out into the world? That’s not for me to say. That one is for you to answer. Just don’t wait until your work is good enough.

 

I heard a comment by Seth Godin where he explains that he believes with any pursuit, there is “bad work.” The work that doesn’t meet your satisfaction. The work that doesn’t get shipped. He says, “Show me your bad work first.”

 

Internet entrepreneur and blogger, Jason Zook uses a method that enables him to share his bad work. He calls it the “Ugly Duckling Phase.” He identifies all his first versions as “Ugly Ducklings.” Then he nurtures them, grows them… He says it frees him to start, to do his work.

 

Brilliant!

 

Is your secret project your private escape, your get away from it all thing? The thing that allows you to be completely lost in something. That’s okay too… we all need that. I might just be the perfect therapy. What do you think?

 

For some, it may be the chase… for others, setting her free.

 

She isn’t going anywhere until you do one or the other.

 

May the wild rabbit chase begin.

 

 

Thank you for being part of the LifeUntucked community. If you enjoyed this post, do me a favor and share it with a friend. I owe you one…

 

See you next Wednesday…