The rules were very simple:
* Pick a tiny project that
you'd like to complete.
* It can be any kind of tiny project you want. A tiny writing project, audio project, video project, drawing project, business project, marketing project, community project, etc. The point is to keep it really tiny. Pick a project that feels simple, quick, and energizing, not daunting and
intimidating.
* Complete your project.
* Email a photo of your completed project to me to say, "I did it!"
And then—just for fun—I promised to select one winner to receive a special
prize.
Here's what happened next...
[Top left corner, going clockwise] A smattering of beautiful tiny projects by: Amy, Patricia, Curtis, Jacki, Joy, and
Jessica.
[Top left corner, going clockwise] More tiny projects from: Jodie, Steph, Lindsay, Nicole, Claire,
and Sue-Moy.
. . .
I received dozens and dozens of tiny projects. A thunderstorm of amazingness!
I loved seeing every single one.
To every single person who participated in the Tiny Project Challenge, I want to say CONGRATULATIONS! and GREAT WORK! and YOU DID IT!
A few people gave permission to have their project featured publicly.
Here's a closer look...
. . .
Jacki Hayes decided to make a drawing. It's her first ink drawing... ever. (How cool is this?!) Nicole Warrington said, "I was on an amazing hiking and yoga retreat in the mountains with a group of women. I wanted to create a token for each to
remember their trip and our connections to land, self and each other. So I painted them each a miniature landscape." Denise Rubette wrote a story using an "opening line" prompt that I provided, which was "It was 11:11pm on New Year's Eve, and that's the moment when..."
Ted Myatt took that exact same "New Year's Eve" prompt and wrote his own story.
Amy Marie Orozco took the Tiny Project Challenge *literally* and made a very tiny book filled with things that she loves about her friend
Katie. Joy Chao reached out to her friends and asked them to describe her best attributes. Then she wrote everything down to remind herself to be "the best version I am and am capable of being."
Jessica McKelden Cave and her boyfriend made a bunch of homemade thank you cards. She says, "They’re branded to match our
company’s branding, they’re 100% custom and one of a kind, and I can’t wait to send them out!"Tracy Ashworth went to an amaaaazing dance class and then wrote a poem inspired by her experience. She mentioned, "I’ve never written a poem in my life!"
Patricia Cabaleiro whipped together a website called One Angel For You. She has decided that her mission is to circulate 11,111,111
paintings of angels around the world, to spread positivity and hope to whoever happens to see them. (Patricia, I love how this tiny project unfolded into a very big—and very beautiful—international art project. AMAZING.)
Katie Collins made her very first collage. Her grandmother—who passed away recently—loved
making collages. For Katie, this project felt like a way to honor her grandma's legacy. It's something she's wanted to do for awhile and... she did it.
Last but not least, the lucky winner is...
JENNIFER KNUTSON
For her tiny project, Jennifer decided to write a heartfelt letter.
She said: "I just spent a
lovely 20 minutes writing a note to my friend Shelley who 4 months ago moved from Oregon to Illinois to care for her aging parents. Thank you for the push to do it. I am so delighted to have this tiny gesture of love completed [...] Now I feel energized to write tiny notes to my niece and nephews as they start school this
week!"
Congratulations, Jennifer!
Jennifer won a snail mail parcel filled with beautiful things (books, candles, chocolate, and more) from the town of Hilo, Hawaii, where I lead writing retreats a few times each year. (Jennifer, I hope you like it! Let me know when it arrives. :)
. . .
I hope this email inspires you to choose a tiny project—and go for it.
Whether it's writing a letter to a friend... or recording a quick audio message for your favorite client... or setting a timer for 5 minutes and doodling... or jotting down some notes about that podcast you've been meaning to start... pick something that
excites you and don't over-think it. Just do it.
A tiny project—like a 3-sentence letter or a 15-second voicemail filled with encouraging words—can make such a big difference in someone else's day.
Never underestimate the power of tiny acts of
love.
Have a beautiful weekend...
-Alex
PS. Whatever you're working on right now—whether it's tiny project or a big one—I hope you'll keep going. Please don't give up.
PPS. I made a new music playlist for you! It's a great one for a gym workout, cycling, running, dancing, anytime that you want to feel wide-awake and energized.
PPPS. For a much more soothing collection of music, I love this choir from Belgium. It's an all-girls choir and they do incredible cover versions of songs by U2, Coldplay, Radiohead, Nirvana, and other contemporary bands. Ethereal, haunting, and gorgeous.
PPPPS. September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Perhaps today, your tiny project can be a tiny self-care project—something that supports your mind, body, spirit, and mental health. Please take good care of yourself. And if you're ever feeling hopeless—and you need help—send a text to the Crisis Text
Line. It's free. They have volunteer crisis counselors standing by—-24/7—ready to listen and help. Whatever situation you're struggling with, you don't have to do it alone.
|
|
|
