#184 Why bad work is necessary

ByLukas
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Every day in which I write, I build my body of work.

As I build my body of work, I also build a hierarchy of quality.

Because every day, my writing will be slightly better or worse than the day before.

That means that the more I write, comparatively, the more good writing I’ll do.

It also means that the more I write, comparatively, the more bad writing I do.

Both are necessary.

Good writing, to feel progress.

Bad writing, to know what good writing looks and feels like in the first place.

It’s all part of the process.

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  • #387 We all need to be saved from ourselves

    ByLukas

    We all have the ability to decide what’s good for us when we take the time to reflect on it.

    But we also overestimate our ability to decide what’s good for us in the moment.

    Which means that we all need to be saved from ourselves.

    How?

    By deciding in advance.

    I’m going to write, because I decided in advance that that’s good for me – even if in the moment, I’d rather do something else.

    I’m going to eat those vegetables, because I decided in advance that that’s good for me – even if in the moment, I’d rather eat those fries.

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    #239 Let’s play with mistakes

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    You know I like word games, my friend.

    Let’s play with mistakes today.

    I don’t like that word—such a negative emotional charge.

    And what’s the opposite of a mistake, anyway?

    We have a word for doing things wrong, but not for doing things right?

    Could we call mistakes lessons?

    Bleh, so bland. Heard that a million times before.

    What about misguided actions?

    Better. Actions that guide me away from my intended outcome. And after a misguided action, I adjust my strategy. I course-correct. Until I get it right and take… guided action?

    We’re not there yet. But guided and misguided actions… I don’t know about you, my friend, but to me, that’s going in the right direction.

    A bit like traction and distraction.

    But that’s a word game for another day.

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    #108 The Unexpected Complement

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    Unique value often lies in seemingly strange combinations.

    The beekeeping lawyer.

    The pro soccer player with an astrophysics degree.

    The theologist waking up early every morning to go surfing.

    The public servant spending their evenings performing at the local stand-up comedy bar.

    The motorcycle repair shop owner writing philosophy books.

    The chess champion with a Brazilian Ju-Jitsu black belt.

    Societal pressure and expectations make such combinations unlikely. Out of the ordinary. Maybe even undesirable: an obstacle to conformity.

    And if it’s undesirable, it becomes rare.

    And here’s the twist: what’s rare usually becomes valuable.

    Because there’s nothing incompatible about these combinations – in fact, the skills you practice may well complement each other in unique and valuable ways.

    What could be an unexpected complement for your life?

    Something you’re secretly interested in, but – according to society – doesn’t fit who you are (or who you’re supposed to be)?

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    #44 Choices

    ByLukas

    I can write today, resent myself for not writing… or stop caring at all about writing.

    I can publish a blog post today, resent myself for not posting, or stop caring at all about blog posts.

    Taking action on something I care about is a valid choice.

    Stopping to care about taking a certain action is an equally valid choice.

    Resenting myself for not taking an action I care about… that’s a choice for self-torture.

    Put your actions where your mouth is.

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