#218 The United States of “If I wanted, I could”

ByLukas
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The path toward self-awareness isn’t always pleasant. 

Take yesterday, when I realized that in many cases, I’m more interested in the comfort of “wanting” something I don’t have than in “taking action to get something.”

That unappealing realization triggered a cascade of even more unappealing questions.

Would I rather mess around with small blog posts instead of becoming a skilled writer crafting coherent arguments?

Would I rather learn about a million different strategies to grow a newsletter instead of actually spreading the word and getting more people to read my newsletter?

Would I rather learn how to learn a language than actually learn a new language?

Is the frustration of unrealized potential also a huge source of comfort in my life?

I’m not sure if I should be happy with that realization. 

Maybe realizations aren’t even supposed to make me happy.

But even if they were, it doesn’t matter. 

Because look: here I am, writing another insight about it.

Another Tiny Trust Builder, proving that every day, I am one step closer to renouncing my citizenship of the United States of “If I wanted, I could.”

Another reminder to myself and you, my friend, one I’ll repeat until the bitter end: actions overrule thoughts.

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    My only goal: integrate a daily language learning habit into my day, as a habit container, without much regard for progress.

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    #175 Perpetuating painful comfort

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    We naturally move towards pleasure and away from pain – with one exception: painful comfort.

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    If you’re used to negative self-talk, there’s painful comfort in negative self-talk.

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    If you’re used to constant conflict, there’s painful comfort in constant conflict.

    If you’re used to neglect, there’s painful comfort in neglect.

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    #310 Normalize the habit first

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    Only when it has become normal to write every day can you truly think about what you want to say.

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    First, you normalize the habit. Then you get the freedom to hone the skill.

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    #314 You don’t need to see progress every day

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    You don’t need to see progress every single day to know that you’re getting better.

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  • #472 Don’t be a prisoner of your dreams

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    What you used to have was okay – and probably enough.

    What you have today is okay – and probably enough.

    What you’ll have tomorrow will be okay – and probably enough.

    You can believe you didn’t always have everything you needed – but don’t be a prisoner of your past.

    You can always believe you deserve more – but don’t be a prisoner of your dreams.

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