Thoughts on Illustration Are Your Side Projects Sabotaging Your Goals?
17 snips
Jan 30, 2026 Tom explains why doing many side projects can fragment progress and stall growth. He compares creative goals to marathon training and outlines a training-style framework for steady improvement. The episode covers choosing one clear goal, building project-based plans, and keeping consistent, measurable practice to reveal real progress.
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Focus Beats Being Good At Everything
- Trying to be strong in too many professional areas dilutes progress and creates competing interests.
- Focused, specific effort produces clearer growth and more meaningful work.
Marathon Training As Career Metaphor
- Tom compares marathon training to career development to show how specific training yields predictable performance.
- He describes setting a 3:30 marathon goal and needing progressive, time-bound training to reach it.
Supportive Work Must Align With The Goal
- Some supportive activities can undermine your main goal if they conflict with it.
- Example: powerlifting-style strength training can hamper marathon-specific fitness.
