The Sprint: Make Rapid Progress

I’ve often been told I come across as intense, especially when I talk about my creative work. Maybe it’s because I care so deeply about how I spend my time. The art I create is more than just a job or a hobby—it’s an extension of who I am. And sometimes, that makes it hard to separate myself from the work.

If you’re like me, you might find yourself obsessing over your craft in every free moment. You’re always chasing improvement, breathing life into your ideas, and expressing your creativity even in the most mundane parts of your day. But that drive, that obsession, can start to bleed into other areas of your life. I’ve been there—physically present but mentally checked out, lost in thought about the next project while spending time with friends, on dates with my girlfriend, or visiting family.

As I’ve gotten older and more experienced, I’ve learned how to manage that intensity. I’ve developed what I call “The Sprint.” I’m not sure if anyone else has used this term in the same way, but it feels right, so I’m sticking with it. “The Sprint” is a framework for getting sh*t done with ruthless effectiveness.

Now, I can already hear the skepticism: “Who am I to give advice on getting sh*t done?” Fair question. So let me give you a snapshot of what I’ve achieved this year. This isn’t about bragging; it’s about showing what’s possible with this framework.

In 2024, I took a leap of faith. I quit my full-time job and launched into freelancing as a 3D visual artist, graphic designer, and filmmaker. In the last six months, I’ve not only hit but surpassed every goal I set for myself this year. Here’s a quick rundown of a few things I’ve accomplished over the last 6 months:

• Designed and produced my first 3D toy from scratch

• Completed a 90-day drawing challenge with 90 finished artworks

• Read 15 books

• Doubled my income compared to what I made at my full-time job last year

• Creative-directed a music festival with 4,000 attendees

• Did VFX for a Lil Baby music video

• Landed my dream project with a major music artist (still under wraps)

• Posted 15 YouTube videos

• Wrote 12 blog articles

• Played basketball for 2 hours at least twice a week, without fail

• Edited over 100 videos

• Shot a short film about my hometown

• Rode in a helicopter for the first time and landed on a breathtaking mountain top during sunset.

Again, this isn’t about flexing. Some of you might look at this list and think, “Is that all?” But for me, these achievements represent a year where I exceeded every expectation I had—and I did it in half the time I thought it would take.

Most importantly, I feel free. I feel at peace. I feel like my work is aligned with my purpose. And I attribute a huge part of these achievements to “The Sprint.”

The Framework

Let’s break down “The Sprint”:

Step 1: Define Your Goals

The sprint starts with clarity. Write down what you want to accomplish in the next 30 days. Be specific—set deadlines, define outcomes, and make sure you know exactly what success looks like.

Step 2: Identify Sacrifices

Next, ask yourself: What am I willing to sacrifice?

There will be times when you have to say “No.” You’ll have to decline invitations, cut out distractions, and prioritize your goals over everything else. This doesn’t mean neglecting your relationships, but it does mean recognizing that to become your highest self, you need to be a little selfish.

You’ll need time alone to carve out the path to your vision. I’ve lost friends because of this, but the ones who remain are the ones who understand. And maybe, just maybe, your results will inspire them to push past their own limitations.

Saying “No” might mean cutting out binge drinking or skipping the bar scene with friends. It could mean limiting Netflix, YouTube, or the latest TV show. For the ultra-high achievers, it might mean trimming those 2-hour gym sessions down to 45-minute high-intensity workouts. In some cases, it means cutting people out of your life—those who drag you down, create a toxic environment, or project their negativity onto you.

Step 3: Plan the Sprint

Once you’ve made the necessary sacrifices, it’s time to plan. Break your goals down into daily tasks.

If you want to read 12 books in a year, that’s one book a month. To finish a 600-page book in 30 days, you need to read 20 pages a day.

If you’re aiming to make $10,000 a month, that’s $333 a day. Maybe that means delivering a project worth $2,330 a week, or selling a $200 product to 50 people.

If your goal is to become a 3D character artist, you need to create a new artwork every 1-3 days to build your portfolio.

If you’re training for a marathon, you start with 1-2 miles a day and gradually increase the distance each week.

Write down the three non-negotiable tasks you need to complete each day to hit your goal by the end of the sprint. Think of these as the only tasks you need to complete to count your day a “success”.

Step 4: Execute with Intensity

This is why it’s called a Sprint. For the next 30 days, you’re going to dedicate yourself to those three tasks with relentless intensity. You’re going to block out all distractions and focus on your goals like your life depends on it.

Cal Newport, in his book Deep Work, shares an equation for producing high-quality work:

High Quality Work Produced = (Time Spent) x (Intensity of Focus)

If you’ve only got 2 hours a day to work on your goals, those 2 hours need to be a 10/10 in focus. If you’ve got more time, you can dial back the intensity a bit, but consistency is key.

As you check off each task daily, you’ll start to build momentum. You’ll stack wins, and that momentum will carry you through the sprint. And who knows? You might even hit your target faster than you expected.

Step 5: Rest and Reflect

Once the sprint is over, take a break. Give yourself a week to recharge. Spend time with friends, catch up on movies, enjoy life. You don’t have to stop creating altogether, but ease off the intensity.

Use this time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished and start planning your next sprint. The cycle repeats.

Six months later, you’ll look back and realize you’ve done more than you ever thought possible.

Try It Out

Give it a shot. See if it works for you. This is just my experience, but I hope it inspires you to push your limits and chase after what you truly want.

As always, thanks for reading.

-P