As an EMT, I rolled up on enough car accidents to learn some behaviors to avoid. As a result, I don’t generally speak on my phone when driving, let alone texting. Often, I don’t even have it nearby… why bother?

We get a lot of visitors to Myrtle Beach; it’s an opportunity to see what happens when people unfamiliar with the area work to navigate busy and crowded streets while talking and texting… My decision to avoid cell phone use while driving is revalidated nearly every day.

And while some maintain that speaking on their phone is less distracting that speaking with a passenger, I disagree. A passenger is present, can watch the road with you and understands pauses to focus on traffic.

Anyway, this infographic was pretty cool.

Today is my first day in a 30-day writing challenge (which, as explained below, is actually 42 days of writing).

Six weeks from now, or 30 business days of writing, I – along with four colleagues — will complete a 30-day writing challenge. The goal of the challenge is to create. Specifically, to create in volume, to defeat resistance, and  to overcome the desire for perfection, the kind that holds back progress. At the end of this challenge, each of us will have written 30 or more new pieces, shared six of them for feedback and had six edited pieces returned.

The challenge is to overcome perfection by focusing on quantity. History, experience and even scientific studies suggests this approach results in an increase in quality, too. Perhaps that’s the sage concept behind the phrase, “Practice makes perfect.”

The way the challenge was created, we gain more than an improvement in writing skills. Because of the incorporation of feedback and editing, we each learn how to offer and receive feedback. Each of us learns how to edit, but also how to be edited. And in the process of helping another learn and grow, we open ourselves up to growth.

On this first day, this first step… I am excited.

The challenge behind the challenge

It started as a simple conversation with Clinton, a friend living in Seattle. During a recent telephone conversation, we talked about writing. Or specifically, our shared frustration at not writing. We admitted that lack of time was — and felt like — a flimsy excuse.

The real culprit, we freely admitted to each other was perfection.

Steven Pressfield brilliantly describes this as “resistance.”

We all fight the battle of resistance each and every day. And for those who focus on written communications, each word is important, or perhaps it’s not important… and that distinction can be paralyzing.

For some, the struggle of resistance manifests itself in “writers block” or in a struggle to come up with ideas to write about.  Across three (or four) different systems for tracking writing ideas, I have at least 200 (and perhaps as many as 300) outlines, fragments, observations and concepts. Some are likely duplicates. Others no longer are relevant. But that means I have a few hundred viable concepts. Plus a few books, keynotes and seminar enhancements.

My challenge is having too much, expanding it too fast (and far) and then expecting it to be perfect. This crashes into the realization that I lack (or have not defined) the time necessary to produce this massive content to the level I seek. Rather than begin and put forth an imperfect effort, I find other tasks to invest my time.

Writing about this feels a bit silly. And yet, this is holding me back. Well, until today.

In order to bust through, share ideas, and improve my trade craft of writing, it was time to do something about it.

The dawn of the challenge

The seed for this challenge started when Clinton and I agreed we needed to do something. Of course, defining “the something” proved more elusive. Determined to find a solution, we shared ideas and outlines for what each of us wanted to write. Then we turned the discussion to how to support each other.

Over a few weeks – and some neat connections in life – the core of the challenge came to light:

1. We needed a time-based challenge

The challenge needed to be long enough to make a difference, but short enough that it felt achievable. Last year my family engaged in a 30-day “no eating out” challenge. We printed a calendar and put an x through each day that we didn’t eat out. The calendar helped keep track, and keep us focused on the goal.

The result was a 30-day challenge.

2. We needed to lightly structure each writing day

A few months ago I stumbled across the pomodoro technique and started using it to successfully break through resistance. Something liberating happens when setting a timer for 25 minutes, crowding out the world and agreeing to focus on getting something done. After each 25 minute cycle, the reward is a 5-minute break. A “full pomodoro” is completing four 25-minute cycles (or roughly 2 hours) — and then a longer break.

Just crowding out telephone, email, facebook, twitter and other distractions is a huge boost in performance. And a full pomodoro (2 hours) felt like enough time to get some writing done.

Now the 30-day challenge includes roughly 2 hours of writing a day — or enough time to write a decent blog posting, article or other contribution.

3. We needed accountability

Initially designed for accountability, we agreed to swap a few pieces each week, to provide feedback and editing.

Kickball improves the challenge, a team is formed

Turns out kickball taught me a thing or two about the structure of a writing challenge.

Brie invited me to play in a charity kickball tournament a few weeks back (I’m still sore). Taking the field for what we thought would be an easy victory, we quickly learned that adult kickball is a competitive sport. The first team we faced — the defending champions — play in an organized league, and they like to win.

They crushed us.

In the process, I learned just by watching them. Turns out kickball is laced with strategy — which would have been great to know in elementary school! As it applies to a writing challenge, kickball reminded me of the value of having a team, and the need to work together — to communicate, to learn and practice different roles, and to put it out there.

I shard my revelation with Brie, and she immediately expressed interest. I took interest for commitment… and invited Brie to the team.  Peter joined the team last week, while on a business trip to work with me in Myrtle Beach.

The challenge evolves

Now that we formed a team, the “notion” of the challenge turned into a proposed framework and process. Then I talked with each team member to explain what I failed to capture in writing and asked for feedback. The resulting enhancements (so far):

1. The 30-day challenge was shifted to 30-business days.

Based on feedback, we changed from 30 continuous days to 30 business days. This approach gives us a bit more structure and weekends to catch up on feedback, editing, reading… and if desired, to continue writing. Since I feel it is important to nurture the process every single day, I plan to write on the weekends, too – extending this to a 42-day challenge for me. However, since I think this is a new routine in my personal and professional life, I like the approach.

2. Optional word count tracking

Instead of setting and tracking word count on a daily basis, the process and purpose is simpler: track the words for each pomodoro writing cycle, then use the measurement as a gauge of resistance. After a few days, we should establish a rhythm, and the word counts help us understand if we’re moving at a good pace, or falling prey to resistance and trying too hard to “get it right.”

3. Weekly mastermind call

I’m going to lead us through a weekly mastermind call, where each of us has a set amount of time to share observations, ask for help and otherwise learn from each other. At the conclusion of the call, we’ll each select and share one piece with the others. We all, then, provide structured feedback to our colleagues, and are selected to then go on and edit one piece.

This means that we each gain experience in providing useful feedback, receiving feedback, editing and in being edited.

The first step…

Today I took the first step.

And now I have an opportunity for accountability partners to keep me on track, encourage me to push through a desire to be perfect and to create. It’s also an opportunity to explore, to liberate and to start sharing content bottled up inside of me. In fact, at the end of this challenge, I hope to continue writing — and focus on the next books I have outlined and want to create.

If this goes well, I’ll look to do it again, and will even consider offering it to my clients (or to the participants of the Communicating the Value of Security and Advocate Training seminars); after all, sometimes the best way to improve is to have a challenge.

This is my challenge, and today it began.

Buzz Aldrin: American Hero, Grand Marshal

Since we’re hanging out in Myrtle Beach (the draw of the ocean is powerful), we celebrated our freedom with others at the inaugural Memorial Day weekend parade in Myrtle Beach. For some, the highlight was seeing Buzz Aldrin lead the parade. No question, it was great to be close to an American hero. But the highlight for me (and I think for others in my family) came later in the parade.

As parades go, this one went well. We had plenty of room, the crowd was friendly and the balloons, bands, floats and other elements were spaced out in a way that it felt easy, entertaining and fun. And it had firetrucks.

The two highlights focused on the purpose of the weekend. The first was the sheer number of veterans marching in the parade. It was enough to bring a tear to my eye – especially thinking of what they must have seen and experienced. But the tears really came when I watched a woman leap from the side of the road and walk up to each man and shake their hand. In fairness, I wish I did, too. But my eyes were swelling with tears and I was holding my children. I guess we all have lessons to learn and people to thank.

The second moment was watching mothers of soldiers walk – some with pictures. As a parent now, I understand their sacrifice — and their pride. We clapped loudly and long for both groups of people.

The parade got us thinking and talking about freedom, our country and our service men and women fighting for our freedoms. We took time to remember, to thank and to reflect. It was a great parade, and a great day.

Myrtle Beach Sand Sculpture (May 15, 2010)

This sand sculpture was created for television’s “The Early Show” and the live shot held on Friday morning (we opted not to go, despite the fact that Dave Price also graduated Cornell). It was neatly cordoned off  (and protected by a police officer) and clearly a showpiece for the grand opening of the boardwalk. I was impressed not only with the sculpture, but with the respect people showed and the ease of stepping in to get a picture.

But the beauty of the sculpture came on the walk down the boardwalk.

My son and I lead the way, and talked the entire walk. Eventually, the topic turned back to the sculpture and we discussed the sand, the process of creating it and how much time and effort it took. One of the things important to our family is to celebrate a job well done (which includes roadwork, paving driveways and other tasks sometimes overlooked). My son asked me how long the sculpture would last and I replied that I suspected it would be destroyed by the following day.

“By the people who made it?” my son asked. I went on to explain that when the crowd left, and police went home, some kids would probably smash it. It wasn’t about being negative, but calling it based on experience. His response, however, was priceless.

He launched into an animated statement about how much effort was put into the creation and why it should be celebrated and not destroyed by someone who doesn’t appreciate it. I don’t recall his exact words, but I recall thinking to myself that he really understands. He gets the concept of working hard and doing the right thing.

Talk about teachable moment… for us both. We went on with a discussion that lasted a few minutes about right from wrong, working hard, protecting creations and the ability to embrace creating with the understanding it may not be appreciated and might be destroyed. I’m not sure how much of the deeper meaning he got, but it was a good lesson for me.

Our Friend, The Frog

We found this little guy waiting at the door to the condo when we got home. We walked carefully so we didn’t spook him. After all, we’re good neighbors, and he clearly had the wrong house. He decided to move to the side and stick around — long enough for me to grab the camera, take his picture and bid him a good evening.

We think he stuck around for a while, but he was fairly quiet. We have a lizard hanging out on the deck and we’ll see if he’s up for a picture soon, too.

A perfect end to a Tuesday

At the end of a long Tuesday (good, but busy), I saw the other end of this rainbow on the way to return a movie to Redbox. Then I followed it home. Alas, no gold at the end of this rainbow. Instead, I got a perfectly timed reminder that life is good, and sometimes we need to take a moment to stop and celebrate the rainbows in life.

So we did.

The Barefoot (Landing) Turtle

Barefoot Landing in Myrtle Beach has a large lake filled with fish (huge fish, the size of our kids!), ducks, turtles and even an alligator (unless it’s a crocodile). Away from the big pond is a small sculpted garden area with a nice water feature (I’ve watched enough HGTV to know what it’s called; I probably would have called it a small pond before).

We walked around and found all sorts of fun things — including this turtle. He clearly (thinks he) owns the place and when I stopped to snap his picture, let me know this was his pond. No snapping on his part; the look was enough. Seriously though, he didn’t seem to care I was only a few feet away. I guess life in the small pond is good.

The Ultimate Sand Toy

New to Myrtle Beach this year is the addition of a boardwalk. In April, it was exciting to watch the pace of development — and the heavy machinery on the beach, including this digger. We’re fans of building sand castles and know it’s the tools that make the difference. So imagine the excitement (and pure lust) at the thought using this as our “sand toy.” Of course, it was only a thought.

If you happen to have a digger near the ocean and are looking for someone to, um, test it out…

On Thursday, we had a a fire in our inverter/charger.

I know, as an open, that was lacking. To be fair, I had worked on a few opens, including a poetic reference to campfires to contrast electronic fires. I considered an analogy to Apocalypse Now (“I love the smell of Naplam in the morning…”). Then I decided the direct approach made the most sense. So there you have it.

The good news is everyone is safe and we contained the damage to the inverter/charger. The less good news is that all power to the “house” part of our RV runs through that device. Without it, we’re literally dead in the water. We plan to address that this week.

smoked... meat good, inverters bad

Thursday Morning Fire

Thursday morning (a few days ago) was full of sunshine and started much like other days. As we set about our morning routine, we were alerted by a warning of the electrical system overheat. When I stepped outside to investigate, I was met with the distinct smell of electronics burning and a billowing cloud of smoke escaping from a rear compartment bay.

I opened the bay and heard — but didn’t see — the fire. The sound of crackling electronics was different than campfires and less relaxing.

So I emptied the contents of the bay (hey, my tools are important to me), got everyone out of the coach and grabbed one of our many fire extinguishers. I believe in being prepared, and I found that while I realized it was important to put the fire out (no kidding), no one in the family panicked. I walked back to the inverter/charger to see visible flames (still inside the housing), pulled the safety pin and put the fire out. I had to shoot through the vents to put the fire out, but it went down without a fight.

I turned off power at the main pedestal/breaker and then assessed the damage. With the coating from the fire extinguisher fresh in the bay, I noticed a lot of spider webs and wonder if one happened to build a web inside the housing (it was warm) of the unit — causing a possible short. We hope to do some analysis this week to see if we can figure it out.

The Amazing RV Community

Within five minutes we had a handful of concerned and helpful neighbors at our coach checking on us. I cannot stress how amazing the RV community is, and Thursday simply proved it again. From others who have been through similar events, we talked about potential causes, solutions, costs, repair centers and the like. And we quickly confirmed we were all okay, will be okay and in the scheme of life, this was no big deal.

And it’s not a big deal. It simply is. No one was hurt, the fire was contained and now we have to engage in a straightforward (for someone else) repair before heading back on our way.

What it means now

We’re lucky that we are still in Myrtle Beach; we have use of a family-owned condo that makes it easy for me to work, the kids to school and life to go on. We expect to be here a few weeks to get it diagnosed, repaired and have a few other repairs completed, too. Meantime, we’re relaxing in the condo and looking forward to an opportunity to catch up with a dear family friend this week. In fact, we wouldn’t have that welcomed opportunity without the fire.

We seek to live simply and collect experiences instead of things. Now we have a new experience.

Once the repairs are made, we’re back on the road. In the meantime, we’re going to enjoy life at the beach.

Best Friends... at the beach

Early March and the kids couldn’t wait to dip their toes in the ocean. Together. They are the best of friends…