Matt writes every day.

An email written by my friend, Jeff:
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Matt,

For the longest time, I’ve had the note at my desk.

It reads, “Matt writes every day.”

It’s meant as inspiration.

Last December, as I was creating my list of resolutions, I decided I needed to add “Write every day. And so far, I haven’t missed a day.

The result?

Yesterday I finished a first draft of a novel. It’s way too long (426 pages) and needs a lot  (as in a ton) of work, but it has a beginning, a middle, and an end. There were some days when I only churned out a hundred words or so.

But I kept going and yesterday typed, “The End.”

It just shows what can be accomplished with consistency. Also, I can’t tell you how many times I had a few spare minutes and I heard your voice saying, “I can write a few good sentences in ten minutes.”

I’m going to put it away for a few weeks and work on something else now. Have to keep the momentum going.

So, thanks for the inspiration and the push, even though you had no idea it was happening.

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I share this (with Jeff’s permission) as tangible evidence of incrementalism at its best:

Doing a little bit every day without exception will, over time, produce extraordinary results.

I think most people believe this, but very few act upon it.

Jeff did. As a result, he’s written a book, which exceptionally few people ever do. It’s a monumental achievement.

Truly.

And I love the idea of a sign on the desk that reads, “Matt writes every day,” which is true.

I’ve written every day of my life since November 30, 1988, without ever missing a day. This amounts to 13,421 days, including 7,203 consecutive days spent writing this blog and its previous permutations.

For Jeff, this sign (and what it represented) served as a source of inspiration:

“If Matt can do it, so, too, can I.”

For others, it might serve as a reminder that someone is getting ahead while you are not:

“Matt’s writing today. He’s making progress. Advancing his craft. Honing his skills. I can’t let him get ahead of me.”

Either way, keeping this idea — “Matt writes every day” — kept Jeff moving forward. Perhaps made the journey feel possible.

As Anthony Hopkins’ character, Charles, says in “The Edge” when facing impossible odds:

“What one man can do, another can do!”

Matt writes every day.

So, too, can anyone else.

Like Jefd..

And you.