Writing is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but the only thing I absolutely want to
master. No matter how long it takes.
It’s strange because I seem to do anything I can in order to avoid it, but once my brain is engaged, it feels like nothing else to me. We all feel that way about different things.
But in my case, it’s writing. I’m still unsure why that is.
But in my case, it’s writing. I’m still unsure why that is.
It’s as if I can feel a voice calling me from deep within.
And if I try to ignore it for any extended amount of time, it reminds me
that I have to keep writing or else my soul will never fully express itself,
and my life will be a waste.
that I have to keep writing or else my soul will never fully express itself,
and my life will be a waste.
I know it sounds tragicically exagerated, but that’s how it is.
Maybe it’s the spirit of an ancestor trying to tell me something?
Who knows, all I know is that I have to keep doing it.
Writing is the one skill that I’m willing to put consistent effort into.
The one I would be happiest to master.
I have other hobbies such as photography, mountain biking, cross country skiing, weight training, etc… But I’m not ready to focus a strictly defined amount of hours per week in order to master these. I just love doing them no matter what.
There are also other things I want to incorporate into my life, such as yoga or tai chi, learning how to dance well (tango), but these are mainly for fun and wellness.
Writing feels like a personal mission. The one thing that keeps scratching away at my subconscious and doesn’t let go until I start doing it.
Writing feels like a personal mission. The one thing that keeps scratching away at my subconscious and doesn’t let go until I start doing it.
It doesn’t come easily. I used to feel alone, but now I’ve read many other writer’s experiences and realize that most will experience the same thing.
The only way to get over the procrastination, for me at least,
is to set aside a specific amount of time each day and just do it.
is to set aside a specific amount of time each day and just do it.
Preferably in the morning.
And do this consistently.
And do this consistently.
My main problem is that I was never consistent with anything.
Except for weight training. And even then… I’ve been doing training
since the age of 15, but each year I stop training for a few weeks or months.
Usually not long after summer has ended.
since the age of 15, but each year I stop training for a few weeks or months.
Usually not long after summer has ended.
As soon as my environment is haunted by that cool air and november rain, I take a break. A few days, sometimes up to a week, or two, or more… Then I often stop
sometime mid to late december. Unlike most preople, I don’t start again on January 1st.
I wait until there’s only a few weeks before spring- then start training again.
I’ve only been more consistent in the last two years.
sometime mid to late december. Unlike most preople, I don’t start again on January 1st.
I wait until there’s only a few weeks before spring- then start training again.
I’ve only been more consistent in the last two years.
Getting back to writing, and how hard it is for me.
When I decide that I’m going to write on any specific day, I usually procrastinate
for an hour or two before actually sitting down in front of the computer.
for an hour or two before actually sitting down in front of the computer.
Then my brain tries to find all kinds of other distractions- reading the news,
cleaning my inbox, and a hundred other time killers.
cleaning my inbox, and a hundred other time killers.
When I finally start writing, my body tries to distract me.
All of a sudden I need to piss, or blow my nose.
All of a sudden I need to piss, or blow my nose.
Obviously I take care of those needs. I need a minimum amount of comfort to be creative. That’s what my mind tells me at the moment.
On my way to the bathroom, I might notice that the plants need watering.
How cruel would it be to neglect them this basic need for life.
So I water my plants.
So I water my plants.
On my way back to the office, my brain scans the house for anything that it might consider a priority. And I mean ANYTHING. All of a sudden I’ll notice that I left the vacuum cleaner lying around in the living room, so I’ll bring it back to the closet
where it belongs.
where it belongs.
If I’m in a really lazy mood I could even get fooled into thinking that cleaning the kitchen is more important than writing and that I can start writing later. Obviously, that never happens, the phone might ring, an email might come in…
What I noticed is that life seems to conspire against you when you try to do the things that are truly important. It’s like the devil’s subtle way of keeping you stuck in your current circumstances.
Anyway, here is the solution that I’m experimenting with at the moment.
And it seems to be working!
I set my stove timer for 60 minutes.
During that hour I have to write nonstop, without thinking too much,
trying to correct typos or reformulate sentences. At the end of my writing session,
I’ll set the timer for another 60 minutes, during which I’ll edit and try to put things together in a logical order.
I’ll set the timer for another 60 minutes, during which I’ll edit and try to put things together in a logical order.
So this is my new minimum. 2 full hrs per day dedicated to writing.
If I do this 5 times a week, for 50 weeks, that will amount to 500 hours per year.
At this rate, I’ll master the craft of writing in 20 years.
(Based on the universally agreed 10 000 hour rule)
(Based on the universally agreed 10 000 hour rule)
So by the age of 62, I’ll be a REALLY good writer. But of course, I want to become a good writer WAY before the age of 62. In order to do that, I’ll have to increase the amount of hours dedicated to mastering this craft. But I find it helpful to know that if I ONLY write for 2 hours per day, I’ll get there in 20 years. Which is much better than reaching that age and having done nothing.
I’m talking about writing, because this is the skill that brings me joy, and I am dedicated to mastering one of these days. The same logic can be applied to any activity YOU enjoy doing and want to become great at.
Now that I’ve decided that I want to get my black belt at writing way before my 62nd birthday, let’s look at a few other possibilities to see exactly how much time I’ll need to devote. If I write:
– 3 hours a day = 15h/week = 750h/year. It would take 13 years, I would be 55
– 4 hrs/day = 20h/wk = 1000h/yr. 10 years @52 yrs old
– 5 hrs/day = 25h/wk = 1250h/yr. 8 years @50 yrs old
– 6 hrs/day = 30h/wk = 1500h/yr. 6 years @48 yrs old. Wow!
Naturally, looking at it this way encourages me to put as much time as I can into reaching this goal. And since I’m honest with myself, I also know that right now, there’s no way I can dedicate 6 hours a day. But I can definitely dedicate 3 hours/day. Even if it means waking up an hour earlier, it’s definitely worth it.
Because I have such a crazy OCD mind, the only way I can convince it to lock onto a target and dedicate the proper resources (time, energy) to attaining that target- is to see precise numbers. When these are clearly laid out in front of my eyes, only then can my mind engage, plan accordingly, and act.
Because now I see the proof, the true results of procrastination.
And the cost is my life.
And the cost is my life.
No matter your age, this technique can help you plan the roadmap
to attain your deepest wants and desires. (not wishes)
to attain your deepest wants and desires. (not wishes)
If I understood this information, intellectually as well as emotionally, when I was 17 years old, my life would be much different right now.
I could possibly be a an amazing poet, rapper, flatland freestyler (bmx), downhill mountain biker, world class athlete, etc… But instead, I only practiced, or dreamed about those things for a few years before life got in the way and I started following the “normal” path. Got some good jobs which sucked the life out of me for 40 hours a week, bought a house, buried myself under massive debt and became a modern day slave. Giving away most of my time and energy to corporations and banks.
Working full time to pay the bills, and debts.
I’m really grateful for waking up from that nightmare before reaching the age of retirement. I escaped the corporate world at the age of 40, to start a company which failed miserably. It’s been two years now, and I’m still trying to find a balance and survive on multiple part-time gigs or projects.
The “security” is gone. But for the first time since the age of twenty, I know what freedom means. And I’m not even debt-free yet, so very far from financial freedom!
But I’m in charge of my working time, free time, and schedule. I have the energy to
work on hobbies and skills that will help me create the future of my dreams. Writing, photography, and keeping fit and active.
work on hobbies and skills that will help me create the future of my dreams. Writing, photography, and keeping fit and active.
Also, I now have more time to spend with the people I love, and who love me in return. As a result, my present reality is more abundant in love and happiness than ever. On top of that, I’m slowly building my ideal future, one brick at a time.
In my way, and on my terms. This is what life’s all about.
Why don’t you come up with a small list of things that make you happy,
and you dream of making a living from in the future…
and you dream of making a living from in the future…
What would really make you happy? What are things that you enjoy doing,
and would love to eventually master?
and would love to eventually master?
Do the math for yourself. If you dedicate 2 hours a day, 5 days a week.
How old will you be by the time you reach the 10 000 hour mark?
Is it worth the sacrifice?
When you start looking at things in this very specific way,
it helps cut away the bullshit from your life. And focus on what
REALLY needs to be done in order to get there.
REALLY needs to be done in order to get there.
The best part is that in the same way life can try to conspire to prevent you from doing the tasks that will get you there, it can often give you a little push along the way. The better you become at battling and conquering the demon of procrastination,
and the easier things get. Like any other muscle, overcoming distractions and
resistance gets easier with constant training.
resistance gets easier with constant training.
Today for example, I had trouble sitting down and getting started. But once I got throught the first few minutes, words started flowing out of me.
When my timer beeped, I extended it by another 30 minutes.
I didn’t have to force myself anymore, the engine was started.That’s also how I feel when I start training my body, the first minutes always feel like shit. They hurt physically, and mentally. But as soon as I’m warmed up, and eliminated any possibility of giving up, the demon of procrastination retreats and gives way to energy and focus.
When my timer beeped, I extended it by another 30 minutes.
I didn’t have to force myself anymore, the engine was started.That’s also how I feel when I start training my body, the first minutes always feel like shit. They hurt physically, and mentally. But as soon as I’m warmed up, and eliminated any possibility of giving up, the demon of procrastination retreats and gives way to energy and focus.
Now go write that list, start thinking about what you want your future to look like,
and how many hours a day/week it will take to get there.
and how many hours a day/week it will take to get there.
It’s most likely the most important thing you’ll ever do for yourself.
Midlifemorphosis 