Finished Reading : Keep Going: Austin Kleon 📚

Wispański Exhibition in Krakow

Using my watercolour set at home.

The internet, unfortunately, is no longer a safe space to do any kind of experimental thinking, particularly for somebody with any kind of “brand.” … No, if you’re going to change your mind, you might have to go off-brand, and offline is the best place to be off-brand. Your bliss station, your studio, a paper journal, a private chat room, a living room full of trusted loved ones. These are the places to really think.
- Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad - Austin Kleon

Off to watch Avengers!

If you ever think you’ve come up with a clever turn of phrase, say it out loud (preferably to another person). Sometimes that “clever” turn of phrase is just awkward.

People say having a kid changes everything. That’s simple not true.

It changes about 90% of things.

I’ve been too negative recently. Partially I think it’s the mentality I’ve adopted at work, notice the problems. Regardless, the net effect isn’t great. I’d rather be more encouraging so I’m going to be.

Public accountability so often turns into personal shame. The person who sets the unrealistic goal, tells the world and then in a week has stopped and now avoids discussing the topic at all.

In my experience, It’s better to start with a partner who is striving for the same thing to check on you or to start in private and then share the goal. If you last a month, get that public accountability going. If you don’t have the motivation or the goal was unrealistic, you adjust and then ask for accountability.

Derek Sivers described it well when he said that your mind feels like it’s achieved something when you say you are going to do something. You feel like you’ve done something when you haven’t.

It’s tough though.

Change isn’t easy, starting new habits don’t just happen by accident. I’ve failed a large number of goals and habits I’ve set. Sometimes I’ve realised I didn’t really want that change or had other, more important values. In other cases I still keep trying with successes here and there.

I remember CGP Grey talk about fitness and day that the real meta skill is getting back on the horse again. If only that skill was so easy.

If you are struggling with one of these things, know that you aren’t alone. And if I have sent you a negative comment in the past, I’m sorry. It’s hard to separate our own struggles and what helps us from what helps others.

Keep going

I made a new phone wallpaper to remind me to focus on finishing and not over worrying about making something perfect. There will probably come a time where I need to hear the reserve message, to sweat the details and polish, but that’s not now. And I can make a new wallpaper then. Feel free to download and I’d love to know if you do.

Started Reading : How to Think: A Survival Guide for a World at Odds - Alan Jacobs 📚