Give your all, whatever that all may be

A few years ago, a professional Ironman athlete who had a recurring injury ended up walking almost the entire marathon of the World Championship course. He finished some three hours off his goal time, amongst the far less able group of amateurs in the race, who actually cheered him on as he went from aid station to aid station.

I have never heard of a professional triathlete do this before. Most pros throw in the towel as soon as they realize that they can’t do their best. On the bike with mechanical issues or on the run when they begin to slow. They might try one more time to run, but they certainly don’t walk a marathon. If you ask them why, I’m sure they have lots of good reasons for this. It’s a waste of energy. It may let down supporters. It’s embarrassing.

But you only have so many chances to do a World Championship Ironman race. Why not enjoy them? Why not give your all, even if your all on this particular day is not the all that you wish it was?

I think this applies to all parts of life, but particulary to writing. It is tempting to think about being embarrassed in the eyes of others, not writing enough words for your NaNoWriMo count, not writing well enough because you’re trying out a new thing, not living up to reader’s expectations from the last book, not being offered enough money for the new book.

Please, as a writer, don’t let yourself get talked into throwing in the towel before the race is over. If you are struggling with a project, by all means, take some time off from it. Give yourself some perspective. Ask for help from some beta readers or talk it out with friends. But don’t give it up before you’ve given it your all. Your creative work deserves that much. And so do you.

Maybe it isn’t good enough, as the voice in your head says. Maybe you should go back and do something else that people will actually value and pay you for. Like waitressing. Or cleaning toilets. Or working in a corporate world you hate.

But maybe your all is enough. It’s all you have, after all. And if people are passing you as they go by, let them pass you. If people tell you you need to be working harder, just nod to them. You know what the truth is. You know what your all is, every step of the way.