Idealist? Pessimist? Realist?

An idealist believes the short run doesn't really matter.

A cynic believes that the long run doesn't count.

A realist knows that what's done or left undone in the short run determines the outcome in the long run!

--journalist Sydney Harris.

The true realist has to look at the above quote with a grain of salt. I think Mr. journalist was going for a sound bite.

The short run doesn't matter to an idealist? Tell it to Beethoven: "Buh-buh-buh-bumm."

The long run? Howzabout Churchill's famed speech: "Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense." [While modern mythology has Sir Winnie uttering this as the full text, it was actually on the 2nd page of a 2-page speech.]

What I'm doing today is what any writer does--grabs self by the scruff of the neck, sits down, and writes. And, doesn't give up. Short run, long run, intermediate...just keep plugging. Keep a long enough perspective so that the number of tiny steps along the way doesn't overwhelm. Keep a short enough perspective that the long haul doesn't daunt. How do you walk all the way across the USA? One step atta time, sure...but one needs a vision of the rolling waves on that distant short to make every step feel worth the effort.

Don't feel like it? Tough.

Love it? Great, but don't expect to coast on good feelings alone.

Feedback, positive or negative? Gotta decide if that matters a little, a lot, or NOT.

Goal.
Plan.
Action.
Persistence.