Why it's okay to miss once in a while.
How implementing a “Never Miss Twice” rule can change your life
EFFIGIES — Bringing nerds together to reveal the hidden wisdom of comics for fuller, more productive lives!
What’s Inside:
Why it’s oaky to miss every once in a while.
An important aside…
How to implement a “Never Miss Twice” rule.
Last week’s newsletter is a bit late. That’s okay—and it’s an opportunity. Sometimes, life demands our focus elsewhere, and occasionally, you just can’t get everything done. Last week, I was deep in the final stages of preparing for the No Heroine: Second Chances Kickstarter campaign, and with so much riding on its success, that had to be my main focus.
No one likes to miss an important task, but sometimes it’s okay. The important thing is to not miss twice, and that’s what I want to talk about today.
Why missing once isn’t a big deal.
No matter how well you plan, unexpected demands pop up. Taking a detour for a pressing deadline or to rest after a busy period is not only normal but necessary. It’s better to recognize when you need to shift focus or even pause rather than burn out. Missing a single goal, task, or deadline is okay — it’s only when missing becomes a habit that it impacts your progress.
I could have rushed this newsletter during all the campaign prep, but doing so would have likely hurt both the newsletter’s quality and the Kickstarter’s success. Instead, I focused where it mattered most, returning to the newsletter when I had the time and energy to do it well. Missing a single deadline kept everything in balance, but keeping that balance relies on missing only once, not letting it turn into a habit.
And there’s a simple, obvious way to do this — I call it the “Never Miss Twice” rule.
But first, a quick and important aside…
I write this newsletter for free each week because I believe in sharing what I’ve learned from reading and writing comics. Putting this newsletter out each week has become one of the most rewarding parts of my writing journey, especially connecting with readers like you.
As I mentioned above, last week’s issue is late because I was finalizing months of work on the upcoming No Heroine: Second Chances Kickstarter campaign, which launches tomorrow.
Keeping the newsletter free is something I’m committed to, but it’s only possible thanks to the support I receive for my comics work — without that, this just wouldn’t be sustainable. So, if you find value here each week — or simply love supporting indie comics — please follow the No Heroine: Second Chances campaign over on Kickstarter by clicking the button below.
By following now, you’ll be set to receive an email notification the moment the campaign goes live tomorrow, so you can make an impact from day one!
I’ll be honest: this is my first new series since 2021 and my first project without the backing of an established publisher. It’s just me, and a lot is riding on the success of this book. It’s my litmus test for whether I can hack it on my own. So, in advance, thank you — from the bottom of my heart — for your support. It means everything to me.
Now, back to our regularly scheduled newsletter…
The “Never Miss Twice” rule.
One of the most powerful tools I’ve implemented for productivity and good habits is my “Never Miss Twice” rule. It allows me the guilt-free flexibility to prioritize and recharge when I need to while providing a simple structure for staying on track. Here’s a simple framework, with examples, for how you can implement this life-changing rule:
Acknowledge the Miss Without Guilt - Recognize that life happens, and missing a goal here and there is normal. Instead of beating yourself up about it, accept the missed task and focus on what comes next. (I missed last week’s newsletter. That’s okay, but I won’t miss next week’s.)
Plan Your Next Step - Right after the miss, decide when and how you’ll get back on track. Set a realistic, actionable plan to complete the next task or goal in your routine. (Next Monday, I’ll write and set up the week’s newsletter to go out on Wednesday.)
Commit and Follow Through - Show up for your next scheduled task, no matter how small. Re-engaging immediately builds consistency and prevents a single miss from turning into a pattern. (If you’re reading this, I followed through.)
Missing deadlines or tasks every now and then is inevitable—and okay. The key is to avoid falling into a pattern of inaction. The “Never Miss Twice” rule lets you stay flexible and handle life’s surprises without sacrificing long-term goals. Next time you miss a goal, remember it’s a pause, not a setback. Just make sure to show up for the next one.
- Frank
I’m Frank Gogol, writer of comics such as Dead End Kids, No Heroine, Unborn, Power Rangers, and more. If this newsletter was interesting / helpful / entertaining…
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After credits scene.
As we close out the month of October and the Halloween season, I’ve got one more spooky recommendation for those of you who play video games: Silent Hill 2.
It’s far and away one of the best survival horror games I’ve played, but where it really shines is in it’s storytelling. Playing this game circa 2001/2 is one of the reasons I wanted to become a storyteller. It’s that good.
So, you’ll be shocked to hear how excited I was when they announced that Silent Hill 2 was getting a remake for current-gen gaming consoles. The remake released earlier this month, and, so far, I’ve only been able to carve out about an hour to play this updated version, but it’s just as good as I remember and it’s absolutely a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling.
11/10
Obviously, this recommendation is not going to be for everyone. But if it sounds interesting to you, I do highly recommend check it out.