just keep [fill in the blank]

Jay Z once shared about how he got into the habit of writing, memorizing and free-styling rap songs. Basically what he did was - he never stopped writing. What he said got me thinking about what I’m doing right now with these visual stories that I publish everyday. 

I can’t imagine what must have been going through Jay Z’s mind back then when he was writing verses after verses - without an audience to share it with. He didn’t have to write lyrics but he did because his passion and vision kept him going - and somehow all of that has translated into years of hip hop dominance.

So I wonder what would have happened to Jay Z if he didn’t keep writing? Would he have ever been good enough to perform in stadiums around the world or have 14 number one albums? I don’t think so. 

Jay Z can refer to several things as the secret to his success  but I think none would be as important as the fact that he never stopped writing. 

There is a part of the bible that says ‘do not despise of days of small beginnings’

“Do not despise these [days of] small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” - Zechariah 4:10

I think that is a sound advice if I ever heard one. To me, what it means is to make the most of those times where it feels like our efforts are in vain or those days where our dreams seem like distant futures. The only way we can do this is by never stopping and by just keep doing what we do. 

Casey Neistat - a renowned filmmaker and probably the greatest youtuber - once said the secret to his success on youtube was to just keep uploading.

So, if Jay Z just kept writing and Casey Neistat just kept uploading, Tobi will just keep composing and publishing these daily visual stories. 

What will you keep doing? Let me know in the comments.