#137 Until here and no further

As I gain more expertise in a certain field, I expect my posts on that topic to get shorter.

Because raw material starts with a lot of fluff, and only through sculpting away, day by day do I get closer to the essence.

So…

If my posts on a topic I’m familiar with are getting longer on average, I’m off-track.

If they become more abstract, I’m getting off-track.

In other words…

When I don’t yet have so much to say
I can’t stop talking
Until I sculpt away
Realize
Some words matter more than others
And what’s left is
Enough

Wanting to improve certain areas in your life is powerful.

But that improvement gap comes with a pressure trap.

Because if you believe you’re in control of your actions, the moments you accidentally fall back into old patterns become extra frustrating.

When your self-worth becomes attached to your behavior, every action becomes a judgment of character.

And so the pressure mounts.

Missing one workout means you’re not worthy of running a marathon.

Missing one day of writing means you’ll never be a writer.

Making one communication mistake, making someone angry, means you’re a terrible person.

—

To make that pressure bearable, build self-trust (for example, through Tiny Trust Builders).

Trust that you can run a marathon, even if you miss a workout.

Trust that you can be a writer, even if you miss one day of writing.

Trust that you can be a good person, even if you’ve made mistakes or upset some people.

—

Notice the improvement gap between where you are and where you want to go.

Let the majority of your actions be a vote for the person you want to be.

Focus on elastic discipline, not hardliner habits.

Do all that, and you’ll feel more fulfilled and free.

Writing isn’t hard. Writing every day is – until it isn’t anymore.

That’s when writing becomes hard.

Build the habit, then you get a shot at building the skill.