#357 Can you be a successful writer without this?

Where am I scared of getting what I want, stopping myself from seeing that I already have it?

Where am I addicted to the feeling of not having what I want, to the degree that I can’t see I already have it?

Where has a feeling of scarcity become the goal I pursue, stopping me from feeling fulfilled?

Unintentional living and identity building look like this:

1. Actions are inspired by pain and pleasure.
2. Repeated pain and pleasure lead to repeated actions.
3. Repeated actions lead to habits.
4. Habits shape your identity.

“Life made me who I am, and I can’t do anything about it.”

Intentional living and identity building look like this:

1. Who do I want to be? What’s my desired identity?
2. Which habits that would turn me into that person do I not have in place right now?
3. Which repeated actions that would build that habit am I not currently taking?
4. Which reactions to pain and pleasure triggers in my life can I change? Which pain and pleasure triggers can I ban out of my life completely?

“While the past has shaped me, the way I choose to live my life today, tomorrow, and every day after, will determine who I am.”

You’re living anyway. Your actions are votes for an identity anyway. So you might as well do it intentionally.

It’s easy to be non-violent when you’re in a flower garden

Josh Waitzkin – The art of learning

It’s easy to be kind to others when the world has always been kind to you.

It’s easy to say you want to be a writer when you never really put yourself out there to prove it.

To learn writing, I must confront the uncomfortable parts of writing – and learn not to respond by running away from it.

To learn non-violence, I must confront violence – and learn not to respond with violence in return.

To learn kindness, I must confront being hurt – and learn not to use that as an excuse to perpetuate the cycle of hurt.

To build trust in myself, I must stay true to my values under difficult conditions.