What to do when you feel stuck in life?
You have a discipline and a schedule. Just go through the motions. The ability to do things even when you’re not feeling like doing it is very important, especially for creative endeavors.
There is always this myth of the inspired artist who only works when the insights come. I have got news, you won’t always have insights. You need to set a schedule and keep on trying regularly to put pen to paper if you are a writer. Put that brush to the canvas. Etc
And sure you’re going to have days where nothing good comes out of your discipline. But what do you expect? Do you think everything you do is supposed to be worthy of the highest accolades?
Nah you’ve got let a lot of shit come out before you find a gem. Don’t be discouraged. Woody Allen said that most of success is just showing up and to a certain extent, it is true. You need a method and strategy because showing up can only get you so far.
When I first started riding my scooter I couldn’t even turn to save my life but a scooter is something I needed to use everyday day for my commute.
- On average I would use it around 15–30 minutes a day with no particular method, strategy, or even desire to become more adept at it.
- Lo and behold after several weeks I got really good at riding. I was not Valentino Rossi but I was good and really comfortable with it.
- Learning a language can also be used as an example. 30–60 minutes a day of exposure to a new language can help you learn it in no time.
That’s what I did for languages; sometimes I don’t necessarily have a method. Sometimes I am bored with learning vocabulary through lists and tedious learning. So I just put on a movie or randomly listen to some songs with subtitles and it sticks after a while.
Same thing with reading. 20 minutes of decent focus a day, every day will get you a long way. Don’t underestimate the power of just showing up. Especially when you don’t feel like it.
You know how it is. You wake up. You’re supposed to go to the gym yet you feel sluggish and lazy. Take your ass to the gym. Those are the moments when you feel defeated and you come out victorious.
Even if your session is shit. Go through the motions. Do your best and you know what happens? You come out of the workout and the dopamine has been released throughout your nervous system, so you’re feeling good. And not only that but you have achieved a small victory over your lesser self. Those small victories are incredibly important. Those small details will get you where you want to go. However hard your goals are!
The small incremental steps matter. Just do it. Slowly but surely the compound effect is huge. It applies to meditation as well. Don’t take for granted that 10–15 minutes a day. It will set you up for better productivity and presence in your day-to-day.
Take me. I woke up a few hours ago and one of the first tasks I do when I wake up is writing and it can be a drag when I am not feeling so “inspired”
Today was such a day, yet I am going through the motions and pumped out a decent article.
There is not much you can control in life but a disciple is a thing that keeps you grounded, on track, regardless of the outcome. You did your best. It’s all about the journey and the process. Those little things add up to build your vision. Stay focus. Stay persistent.
A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step at a time.