…What a beautiful mindset for getting things done long-term.
Committing to something for months/years/life can be intimidating.
But committing to today?
No problem.
Just for today: read, write, draw, exercise, meditate, etc.
And simply repeat this mindset again when you wake—tomorrow.
Daily affirmation: “I am not building a Lego house.”
Continued: “I am building a skyscraper. I am building a towering and intricate legacy of work that deeply reflects a long-lasting and firm commitment to steel, brick, and mortar—not cheap, plastic toys.”
Repeat as needed when things get tough.
You know what hurts more than doing that painful thing now?
Doing that painful thing later.
It’ll be the same painful thing, but add to it all of the painful thinking between now and then and stack it all on your shoulders?
Yeah, I don’t know who needs to hear this, but just do that painful thing now.
Your shoulders could do without all of that extra weight.
…Do the hard thing now.
Doing the easy thing now usually results in more burden for your future self.
Step 1) Force the first 10-20 minutes—because starting almost never comes easily. This entails: silencing my phone, wearing noise-cancelling headphones, and resolving to sit and stare until I get bored (and frustrated) enough to start. No phone-checking, tab-opening, house wandering, etc. Just me, my thoughts, and the medium through which I need to do my work. It’s uncomfortable, my mind begs for distractions, and it’s definitely forced.
Step 2) Flow for the next 1-2 hours—because once I surrender to the work, the momentum tends to take care of itself. This happens for me when I read, write, teach, train, and even talk with people. Once I enter this state, time tends to fade away. It’s completely absorbed, unconscious, deliberate and pointed—work. And it’s where most good, deep work gets done. But, until you force that first 10-20 minutes, this flow state will essentially be unaccessible.
Work hard to become your best.
Become your best so you can give your best.
Give your best so you can bring out the best in others.
And when you bring out the best in others you’ll want to keep working hard.