The Poltergeist covers the submissions-ops desk — here's the pattern, what it costs you, and what to do this week.
The Poltergeist
covers the submissions-ops desk
The industry’s part
Nobody tells you which submissions get seen. The system rewards motion and hides results — so of course you chose motion.
The pattern
You cope with uncertainty by outworking it. Submit everything, tape everything, never stop — because stopping is when the doubt gets in. The busyness is the armor. Your Poltergeist throws tapes at every breakdown and remembers none of them.
What it costs
You're running 40 unread experiments a week. The doing has crowded out the knowing — which offices respond to you? — so effort can't compound.
What you can control this week
1. The ten-second log: project, office, date, at the moment of submission. A habit, not a system.
2. One out-loud sentence before each submission: why I fit this. Can't say it? That hour goes to one you can.
3. Friday count: callbacks per office, not submissions per week.
🕯️ Give your ghost the night off: Layne keeps the log without you typing anything — the work you already do finally leaves a trail your brain doesn't carry. Your Poltergeist can just… watch.