Operational Rules for Continuing Without Breaking Down

I actually intended to release this article as a paid post.

However, I decided to make it available for free. The reason is as I wrote at the beginning of this series ⇩

This is the entirety of the operational rules I created to keep doing Adobe Stock "without breaking down," as someone with ASD and waves of depression.

I wrote this so it can be used even by those who don't do Adobe Stock.
Please read this by replacing "Adobe Stock" in the text with "what you want to continue."
Whether it's studying for a certification, rehabilitation, or housework, the same form can likely be used.

Since it is a long article, I recommend saving it and opening it on a bad day.
I believe that is the best way to use this article.

0. Premise: The goal of the rules is "continuation," not "results"

First, let me state the philosophy of these operational rules in one sentence.

The goal is not "to produce a lot," but "to be able to move again next month."

Ten years ago, I tried to maximize my results and stopped after three years.
Now, I have structured things to minimize exhaustion, and I have been continuing for [3 months since restarting].

The number of items I produced might have been higher 10 years ago.
But I am the only one who is "still continuing" now.

1. Daily Rules (Things for every day)

• Work for no more than 2 hours a day. Forcefully stop with a timer before hyperfocus sets in. Once it sets in, I cannot stop it myself.

• Do not set a goal for the number of items to produce. "As much as I feel like on days I feel like it." Even small numerical goals (like "1 item per day") bind my heart. I failed once because of this (→{The story of how I quit "producing 1 item a day" in 3 days})

• Do not blame yourself for "0 items today." A day with 0 items is not a failure of the plan, but a part of the plan (the reason is in the weekly rules mentioned later).

2. Weekly Rules (Things for every week)

• Decide on 2 days a week to not touch it in advance. If I say "I'll rest if I feel like it," I won't be able to rest. I include rest as a scheduled event from the start.

• Create in bulk on days when you are feeling good, and distribute uploads via scheduling. A mechanism to turn hyperfocus on good days into "savings." On bad days, the scheduled items work on their own.

• At the end of the week, record only one line. "This week: X items." Do not write thoughts. If you start writing thoughts, reflection begins, and reflection turns into blame.

3. Monthly Rules (Things about money and numbers)

• Look at sales and download numbers only once a month on a set day. I have decided on the [31st] of the end of the month.

• Write the numbers you see directly into the 'Monthly Records' on note (→【June Review: 1 out of 9 DLs was an AI image】). Look → Record → Close—that is how you complete your engagement with the numbers.

• The numbers won't increase just by looking at them. Only your spirit will diminish. This is the most important advice from me, who used to update graphs dozens of times a day ten years ago.

4. Checklist for Bad Days (Handover Document)

A memo written on a good day, addressed to yourself on a bad day ⇩

My actual self:

• Today, you don't have to put anything out (the scheduled posts are already working)

• Do not look at sales or likes

• Drink water. Eat what you can. It's okay to sleep

• Once you've read this list, it's okay to close it

There is only one point: Do not let your bad-day self make decisions.
Let your good-day self handle all the decisions in advance.

5. Procedures for Returning After Stopping

Even so, there are times when you will stop.
For a few days, a few weeks, or perhaps a few months.
That is why you should decide on the 'return procedure' in advance.

I divide it into three stages.

1. Day 1: Just open the account. Do nothing. If you open it, you pass for the day.

2. Day 2 and beyond: Just fix the tags on one existing piece. Do not create anything new. 'Fixing' is much lighter than 'creating'.

3. After that: One new piece on a day you feel like it. Only then do you return to normal operation.

And the most important rule:
Do not count 'how many days you stopped'.
If you count, the self-reproach begins.
What you need for a return is not reflection, but simply restarting.

6. Rules for When a Submission is Rejected

• Do not delete the rejected work. Ten years ago, I deleted everything. I want you not to delete it. It was the piece that was rejected, not you.

• Classify the reasons for rejection into three categories and be done with it:

  • Technical(Noise, focus, artifacts) → Can be fixed next time. A learning experience.

  • Policy(Logos, people, rights) → Add to the checklist so you never make the same mistake again.

  • Mystery → Don't think about it. Review processes have fluctuations. Put it in the "Mystery" folder and move on to the next image.

7. List of things not to do

To the five I wrote in the first installment, two more have been added through subsequent practice.

1. Don't delete everything just because of a rejection

2. Don't check the sales graph multiple times a day

3. Don't just chase trends and abandon your strengths

4. Don't upload a massive amount in one day and burn out

5. Don't immediately decide to quit just because you aren't making money

6. (Added) Don't try to make it perfect before submitting. Submit even if it's a 70/100. (→【The story of how I couldn't submit a single image for two weeks trying to make it perfect】)

7. (Added) Don't let your 'bad day' self make decisions. Follow the handover notes. (→【Handover notes for my 'bad day' self】)

8. The true purpose of these rules

I think those who have read this far already understand.

While this wears the mask of 'Adobe Stock operational rules,'
it is actually practice for living with my own fluctuating self without breaking down.

I am practicing this in the small laboratory that is stock photography.
As much as I succeed, I am gradually applying it to other parts of my life
[Meals, medication, socializing, preparing to return to society]
as well.

Your experimental ground doesn't have to be Adobe Stock.
If you have one place where you can practice "continuing without breaking,"
before asking "can I work?" you can check for yourself,"can I continue without breaking?".

(The original story behind these words is here ⇩)

This is the end of this article. There is no paid continuation.

Please save this and open it on a bad day.
Because this is the article I most want you to read when you are having a bad day.

The series "ASD x Adobe Stock: A 10-Year Record" will have its final installment next.
In Part 4, "What Remained After 10 Years: All the Numbers and Mental Health," I will write about the cumulative figures and my future plans, everything.

The magazine is here ⇩

If you'd like, please take a look at my Adobe Stock as well.
https://stock.adobe.com/jp/contributor/207652252/sally%20san