On Updating Regularly
If you follow serial works of fiction, like a comic strip or a TV show, you generally expect new content at regular intervals, and may be disappointed or upset if the content does not arrive at the designated time. Said occurrences have become more common during the coronavirus outbreak; for example, the One Piece anime has gone onto hiatus, and the manga is coming out less often. For this reason, I will spend this post discussing release dates.
Back when I started this blog not very long ago, I had considered doing one post every weekday, but quickly realized that this pace would not be feasible. Instead, I decided to try to make one post every five days. To put it simply, I made the change because I had no desire to make promises I could not keep.
Essentially, a regular update schedule can be thought of as a promise to your readers, who will understandably become upset if you end up breaking that promise. Perhaps some fans have a sense of entitlement when it comes to their favorite works and the directions they may go, but it is reasonable to hope that the authors continue working on them diligently and wholeheartedly. Even in the case of amateur works, which do not have a set update schedule, and the creators of which make for free on their own time, it can be disheartening to see a work you enjoy canceled without even a reason being given.
There are, of course, legitimate reasons to halt production on a work, and the coronavirus is one of them. No one is happy about the One Piece anime being put on hold (although some fans misguidedly hope that this will solve the abysmal pacing that is the consequence of it being aired year-round, but that is beside the point), but some more understanding fans should realize the situation. Producing anime episodes is a strenuous task in the best of times, and with the coronavirus having reached Japan, it has become essentially impossible. So, too, is the idea that content producers can meet their deadlines 100 percent of the time.
Like in all other areas, perfectly delivering content on schedule is impossible, but even though perfection cannot be achieved, one should strive to get as close to perfection as possible. This not only is for the sake of those who are viewing your content, but is also for your sake as a content producer, since keeping to a regular schedule (or at least continually working on your content) is a matter of a strong work ethic and good discipline.
If you are a procrastinator or know of someone who procrastinates, you recall that once you make an excuse to put off something the first time, it becomes easier to do so a second or third time, until it becomes almost impossible to return to the work in question. Problems that are beyond your control can also compound, but you ultimately have control over your own actions, and when you run into delays, you should ask yourself; is this a legitimate reason or merely an excuse?
I realize that there are some times when you may not be able to finish what you start, or may no longer enjoy it. In those cases, it is perfectly acceptable to stop work on your projects, provided you are honest with your readers and yourself about it. A day may come when I stop working on this blog, and if it happens, I will likely post an announcement of the cancellation, along with my reasons for it. For now, however, I will practice what I preach, and continue updating this on a regular basis.
Back when I started this blog not very long ago, I had considered doing one post every weekday, but quickly realized that this pace would not be feasible. Instead, I decided to try to make one post every five days. To put it simply, I made the change because I had no desire to make promises I could not keep.
Essentially, a regular update schedule can be thought of as a promise to your readers, who will understandably become upset if you end up breaking that promise. Perhaps some fans have a sense of entitlement when it comes to their favorite works and the directions they may go, but it is reasonable to hope that the authors continue working on them diligently and wholeheartedly. Even in the case of amateur works, which do not have a set update schedule, and the creators of which make for free on their own time, it can be disheartening to see a work you enjoy canceled without even a reason being given.
There are, of course, legitimate reasons to halt production on a work, and the coronavirus is one of them. No one is happy about the One Piece anime being put on hold (although some fans misguidedly hope that this will solve the abysmal pacing that is the consequence of it being aired year-round, but that is beside the point), but some more understanding fans should realize the situation. Producing anime episodes is a strenuous task in the best of times, and with the coronavirus having reached Japan, it has become essentially impossible. So, too, is the idea that content producers can meet their deadlines 100 percent of the time.
Like in all other areas, perfectly delivering content on schedule is impossible, but even though perfection cannot be achieved, one should strive to get as close to perfection as possible. This not only is for the sake of those who are viewing your content, but is also for your sake as a content producer, since keeping to a regular schedule (or at least continually working on your content) is a matter of a strong work ethic and good discipline.
If you are a procrastinator or know of someone who procrastinates, you recall that once you make an excuse to put off something the first time, it becomes easier to do so a second or third time, until it becomes almost impossible to return to the work in question. Problems that are beyond your control can also compound, but you ultimately have control over your own actions, and when you run into delays, you should ask yourself; is this a legitimate reason or merely an excuse?
I realize that there are some times when you may not be able to finish what you start, or may no longer enjoy it. In those cases, it is perfectly acceptable to stop work on your projects, provided you are honest with your readers and yourself about it. A day may come when I stop working on this blog, and if it happens, I will likely post an announcement of the cancellation, along with my reasons for it. For now, however, I will practice what I preach, and continue updating this on a regular basis.
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