This may describe you—maybe you are the type of person that will take on a big project: a book, a song, something like that—and you get partway into and you’re like, gee whiz, this is harder than I thought it would be, and you capitulate, putting it away, and never coming back to it.
So many thoughts related to this essay. I raised two sons, and one of my goals in raising them was that they should know that they can do hard things. Not that they should seek out hard things necessarily, although both have chosen to do things that took a lot of perseverance, but also when life hands you a tough situation, you face it and deal with it. As attributed to Churchill, "When you are going through hell, keep going!"
For me, perfectionism is the weakest link. It leads to the other two parts of the 3 "P's" procrastination, and paralysis. Excuses is another such as your "I have too small of hands" for bar chords. You have weak hands that need strengthening. Start with open D where you just put your index finger on all 6 strings and play until the buzz stops. I have hands that still fit a 10 lb bowling ball for kids. If you want to become a good guitarist, you have to get past that brick wall excuse. You are an outlier as far as a writer, you can do the same with guitar (if it is important to you). Only reason why I mention this is when you mentioned you were taking up guitar you "liked" my comment on Twitter saying you'll probably be much better than me within a few weeks...I still think that is a possibility.
Great essay. This is why I object to softening Boot Camp. My Marine son looks like my husband, sweet, thin, and he wondered why Boot Camp was so easy. You don't know who is tough by looking at them. His siblings are not tough at all. At MCT they had a hike in his group called the ankle breaker because it rained hard and they had to get down and shelter. It was too muddy for any kind of rescue and quite a few Marines broke their ankles and were carried out by their comrades. He called me after, super happy, because he said they had finally done something hard. He is out now and grateful because it has been going down the tubes steadily. I learned toughness older, but my husband has always been staggeringly tough. People who don't know him well are shocked when they figure it out.
I have noticed that the young people I know in their teens, 20's and early 30's seem to either be total wusses or super tough. My RE agent is 26 and just purchased his 5th rental. Another friend that age has her own lobbying firm and about $2 million in contracts this year for running campaigns and getting people on ballots.
I have a friend in her 50's who only graduated high school and thinks she is not very smart. She has started and run 5 businesses, all profitable. Good grammar is not a requirement for financial success nor is formal education, but that fire in the belly is essential.
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who thought the Goggins book was bad....two chapters into it and yes...I had to quit. Plus, it was an audiobook on my way to Vegas from LA, and all of the "F-Bombs" had my girlfriend giving me the stink eye.
So many thoughts related to this essay. I raised two sons, and one of my goals in raising them was that they should know that they can do hard things. Not that they should seek out hard things necessarily, although both have chosen to do things that took a lot of perseverance, but also when life hands you a tough situation, you face it and deal with it. As attributed to Churchill, "When you are going through hell, keep going!"
Right piece at the right time. Thank you Jared.
Yes. Please respond to my email.
For me, perfectionism is the weakest link. It leads to the other two parts of the 3 "P's" procrastination, and paralysis. Excuses is another such as your "I have too small of hands" for bar chords. You have weak hands that need strengthening. Start with open D where you just put your index finger on all 6 strings and play until the buzz stops. I have hands that still fit a 10 lb bowling ball for kids. If you want to become a good guitarist, you have to get past that brick wall excuse. You are an outlier as far as a writer, you can do the same with guitar (if it is important to you). Only reason why I mention this is when you mentioned you were taking up guitar you "liked" my comment on Twitter saying you'll probably be much better than me within a few weeks...I still think that is a possibility.
The term "the resistance" has already been coined by Steven Pressfield - he calls it "Resistance", and it works the same as your term.
Can you comment on your dislike of Goggins book?
Great essay. This is why I object to softening Boot Camp. My Marine son looks like my husband, sweet, thin, and he wondered why Boot Camp was so easy. You don't know who is tough by looking at them. His siblings are not tough at all. At MCT they had a hike in his group called the ankle breaker because it rained hard and they had to get down and shelter. It was too muddy for any kind of rescue and quite a few Marines broke their ankles and were carried out by their comrades. He called me after, super happy, because he said they had finally done something hard. He is out now and grateful because it has been going down the tubes steadily. I learned toughness older, but my husband has always been staggeringly tough. People who don't know him well are shocked when they figure it out.
I have noticed that the young people I know in their teens, 20's and early 30's seem to either be total wusses or super tough. My RE agent is 26 and just purchased his 5th rental. Another friend that age has her own lobbying firm and about $2 million in contracts this year for running campaigns and getting people on ballots.
I have a friend in her 50's who only graduated high school and thinks she is not very smart. She has started and run 5 businesses, all profitable. Good grammar is not a requirement for financial success nor is formal education, but that fire in the belly is essential.
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who thought the Goggins book was bad....two chapters into it and yes...I had to quit. Plus, it was an audiobook on my way to Vegas from LA, and all of the "F-Bombs" had my girlfriend giving me the stink eye.