Coffee With Cole: The Digital Writing Podcast - Episode Summary

Title: Do you think I like working this hard?
Host: Nicolas Cole
Release Date: January 23, 2025

In this compelling episode of Coffee With Cole: The Digital Writing Podcast, host Nicolas Cole delves deep into the often unspoken realities of the digital writing journey. Through a candid and introspective monologue, Cole dismantles common misconceptions about the creative process, emphasizing the significance of perseverance, hard work, and the true sources of success in digital writing, ghostwriting, and self-publishing.

1. The Reality of Hard Work in Writing

Cole opens the episode by challenging the romanticized view of the writing process. He poses a series of rhetorical questions to highlight the tedious and repetitive aspects of writing that are rarely discussed:

“Do you think I like working this hard? Do you think I wake up every single morning and I can't wait to sit down and figure out how to say the same thing I've already said a new and different way?” ([00:08])

He acknowledges that the daily grind—proofreading, editing, and reiterating advice to writers—is far from enjoyable. Instead, Cole clarifies that his passion lies in the outcomes rather than the arduous process itself.

2. Loving the Outcome Over the Process

Cole emphasizes his love for the end results of his labor, such as holding a finished book, rather than the hours spent creating it:

“I love holding the book I just wrote in my hands. I don't love the 150 hours I had to spend getting it there, but I love the end result.” ([02:15])

This perspective underscores the importance of focusing on the tangible achievements that come from relentless effort, rather than seeking immediate gratification in the process.

3. Misconceptions About Enjoying the Journey

Challenging the idealistic notion that one should be "in love with the process" every day, Cole points out that:

“They're supposed to love what they come up with every day. Every word that they write is supposed to just feel magical, and that's not what it's like.” ([07:45])

He argues that writing—and most significant endeavors—often involve mundane and uninspiring tasks. Recognizing and accepting this reality is crucial for sustained success.

4. The Importance of Boring Work as a Competitive Advantage

Cole introduces the concept of boring work as a moat, a sustainable competitive advantage that separates successful writers from the rest:

“Every time you do something that is boring, you have to see it as an unfair competitive advantage.” ([14:30])

He explains that willingly engaging in repetitive and unglamorous tasks over time distances one from the competition. This consistent effort, rather than inherent talent or intelligence, is what leads to lasting success.

5. Goal Setting and Time Estimation

Addressing the common struggle with motivation and action, Cole shares his strategy for overcoming procrastination through time-based goal setting:

“Pick an arbitrary number and just guess and say, I bet it's going to take 100 hours for me to do that. And then whatever you guess, double it. So it's probably going to take me 200 hours.” ([19:10])

By anchoring objectives in tangible hours, Cole provides a method to manage expectations and maintain progress, thereby increasing the likelihood of achieving long-term goals.

6. Embracing the Challenge

Cole reflects on his extensive experience mentoring over 12,000 writers, noting a common misconception among them:

“Writers expect to put forth the tiniest bit of effort, but unlock outcomes equivalent to someone putting forth a decade of effort.” ([24:50])

He emphasizes that success is less about innate ability and more about the willingness to embrace and endure the challenge of consistent, disciplined work.

7. Competing Against Yourself

A pivotal theme in Cole’s discussion is the idea that the true competition is not with others but with oneself:

“It was always about competing against yourself.” ([29:05])

This internal competition fosters continuous growth and improvement, helping writers push beyond their perceived limits and achieve greater heights.

8. Conclusion: Embracing the Output

In closing, Cole reiterates his passion for the output and the satisfaction derived from witnessing others realize their potential:

“I really enjoy seeing when it clicks for someone else and when another writer wakes up to their own potential or realizes what they need to do in order to achieve their goals.” ([35:20])

He underscores that while the process may be unenjoyable, the fulfillment comes from the successful outcomes and the positive impact on others.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace the Grind: Success in digital writing stems from enduring and managing the monotonous aspects of the work.

• Focus on Outcomes: Prioritize the end results over the daily process to maintain motivation.

• Boring Work as a Moat: Utilize repetitive tasks as a sustainable competitive advantage.

• Time-Based Goals: Use tangible hour estimates to set and achieve realistic goals.

• Internal Competition: Strive to outdo your past self rather than compete with others.

Nicolas Cole’s insightful discourse provides a grounded perspective for aspiring writers, encouraging them to persist through the less glamorous aspects of writing and focus on the impactful outcomes that define true success.