Insights
#132 Unlimited Learning
Learning often implies discovering what you can’t do. I can’t write and convey what I want to say. I can’t speak Spanish fluently. I can’t do this yoga pose. For many people that’s also the final destination, when in fact, it’s only the start. We’re missing a word: Learning is discovering what you can’t do
#131 Goals are not about achievement
The purpose of goals is not achieving them. It’s giving direction to your current actions. And that’s what makes them different from a dreams. Now. If goals give direction to current actions… And current actions overrule your current beliefs and shape your identity… Then goals shape who you are today, tomorrow, and who you’ll be
#130 The perfect excuse
Perfectionism is the perfect excuse for not showing up. If you don’t publish because you’re waiting for the perfect blog post, you’ll hide behind your desk forever – because there’ll always be something you can improve. If you don’t go for a walk because you’re waiting for the perfect weather, you’ll be stuck forever inside
#129 When the going gets tough
When I’m inspired, I write. When I’m over the moon, I write. When I’m frustrated, I write. When I’m sad, I write. When I’m angry, I write. When I’m so overwhelmed I don’t want to do anything at all, I write. Because when the tides of life get rough, a consistent practice is your life
#128 What do you hear?
Nobody says you should take time every day to disconnect from the world and listen to your stream of consciousness. But let’s say you would. What do you hear? Desires? Fear? A blurry memory, now suddenly clear? A cry for help to which you’ve turned a deaf ear? That fierce inner voice just wants you
#127 Being happy with what you do
Be fulfilled with what you do (and be happy with what you don’t do). Be intentional with what you do. Be consistent with what you do. Because what you do will change you. And when you change, you might just get everything you ever wanted. And you might just become happy with what you have.
#126 Invisible ink tattooed on your mind
Every promise to yourself is a contract in invisible ink. Jo Franco on the Not Your Average Jo podcast. I recommend you listen to this episode But it’s not because it’s hidden from view that it doesn’t carry any weight. Every broken contract with yourself goes on the pile of self-distrust. So don’t overextend. Don’t
#125 So I write.
I don’t always have to feel like writing to know I want to be a writer. But to be a writer, I must write. So I write. There is no other way.
#124 Deliberate Memories, Accurate Intuition
A memory is what we decide to remember from an experience – and what we decide to delete and forget. Intuition is the instant hunch we get after we’ve repeatedly created memories from experiences; the moment we don’t need the conscious memory anymore. A small (or unrepresentative) sample size leads to inaccurate intuition. If I’m
#123 Never again
What gets you going – and what keeps you going? Pain. Pleasure. Usually, a combination of both. I like being disciplined – it gives me pleasure. I also know very well that I don’t want to go back to jumping from one project to another, giving up before reaching any meaningful level of skill or
#122 You don’t have to. But you could.
You don’t have to become a writer. But you could. Even if you don’t believe it yet. And if knowing that you could makes you restless… If the fact that it’s possible makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up… If a persistent “What if” keeps echoing through your mind… Then maybe
#121 Frustratingly comfortable
Where am I perpetuating a situation I say I don’t want? How am I perpetuating a situation I say I don’t want? Why am I perpetuating a situation I say I don’t want? What am I scared of? Which pain do I associate with change? What’s so frustratingly comfortable about the current situation? What would