Project Person // Primer #10

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When I first started writing my novel, I decided to write the first draft just for me—not for any future readers or editors or goals. 

After completing the first draft, though—and honestly, after having a few people read it and realizing just how special it is for a writer to have readers—I then let myself think through what might be next. Did I want to publish it? And if so, would I self publish or hybrid publish or go the traditional route? What kind of publisher would I want? Would I want this to be a career or just a one-time thing? 

And then my thoughts ventured into the realm of expectations, which is where my Enneagram Three brain veers by default. How could I get on all the lists, win all the awards, become the very best writer there ever wasssss?

Wow, I was already starting to feel the disappointment. 

Two things happened around this time. First, my husband encouraged me to think about outcomes beyond just lists/awards/reviews/numbers. What were the underlying goals here? What would really make this whole process worth it?

And second, I read my friend Joy (Project Person #10)’s book, Get to the Publishing Punchline. In it, she mentions what she called the DCS: a Dream Case Scenario. 

I’ve been a fan of visioning since learning about the Zingerman concept via my work with King of Pops. Joy’s concept of DCS is super similar. Both are a challenge to think through the desired outcomes and then to use this exercise to help you make decisions. 

Here’s a literal chapter (pages 33-34!) I pulled from Joy’s book to explain this: 

Do you ever get your colloquialisms mixed up? Just me? 

One day, my husband overheard me saying to a client, “What’s your Dream Case Scenario?” Later he said, “You know, you’re combining two phrases together: Dream Scenario and Best Case Scenario. It’s not Dream Case Scenario.” 

And in that moment of loving critique, I realized that my word jumble had created something so special and next-level that humanity* (*five people) inherently understood (or was too afraid to correct me on), and I needed to trademark DCS. IMMEDIATELY! 

I’ve been asking people I work with what their Dream Case Scenario is ever since, and bless them, they always acted like they knew what I was talking about. 

It’s true though, don’t you agree? When you hear me say read “Dream Case Scenario” you know it’s beyond the best of scenarios, it’s the scenarios all your wildest dreams are made of! 

Even my husband now asks me what my DCS(™) is, so I know it’s catching on. At least in this household. 

Start thinking about your book and your hopes as a writer. Don’t be afraid to dream too big, and don’t be afraid to throw humility aside for a moment. What feels like success for you as a writer and communicator? 

I’ve been noticing a trend from leaders I admire and successful companies: they write their goals down. Some on the back of scrap pieces of paper, and some on a document that they put out for the public. Either way, the recording of goals is a common practice among those who are successful and actually reach their goals. Don’t be afraid to put your DCS into the world. Or at a minimum, on the page below this sentence. 

— Joy

So, about a year and a half ago, I wrote a DCS for this book of mine.

It helped me decide that I really wanted to go the traditional route for publishing (signing with an agent and then to a publishing house).

A little while later, when given the opportunity to sign with a specific agent, I referred back to this DCS and felt like I could really see this being true of this guy, so I eagerly said yes. I referred back to it again recently and it helped me make another big decision (more on that soon). 

This DCS leaves room for some other surprises—the awards, the numbers, Oprah telling me it has changed her life!—but those are all bonuses; if what I wrote below actually comes true, I’d be over the moon.

So, think through a project you’re working on and then write out a little Dream Case Scenario for it.

Hint: Think more state-of-being or what-has-changed vs what accolades you might receive.

Save it as a note in your phone, and refer back to it when you’ve got a decision to make… or when you’re tired.

And, feel free to update it. (Lucid dreaming? Isn’t that a thing? Quick! Joy! Trademark Lucid Dream Case Scenario, too!)

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Michelle Gordon, who offers luxury travel via Elysian Escapes. I internet-met her via this lil email newsletter! She also shared her favorite hack in response to one of my emails—Paprika, a recipe manager app that cuts out all of the blog-ad fluff.

Laura Balfour, who owns branding studio Fleecher Designs. She has created brands for most of my projects (like groundsweller and Same Page HR), and she also does graphic design / brand support for some of my other favorites. Read those case studies and some really helpful articles (like 10 steps to improve your home page) here!

Next time, I’ll share a story about my mother-in-law. Most know her from Refuge Coffee, but I’ll be sharing an even more personal story. Stay tuned!