Doing Nothing No More

by Ryan DavisonCreativityPosted on No Comments

Sometimes I find myself paralyzed by indecision. I have so many things I want to do but I end up doing nothing. I think I fear not being able to finish something so I never start. The promise of what could be completed and the hope of that future completion is a powerful sedative. The dream becomes the goal rather than the realization of the dream. When you do nothing with your dreams, you risk nothing and you have no potential for failure.

But, at the same time, if you avoid risk and failure your whole life, then you risk failure of your life.

So what’s the solution? Is there a magic bullet that gets a person motivated and kicks them into gear? Yes and no. There are many motivators in the world but I don’t think there are any universal ones. I’ve found that the best solution and the one that comes closest to working for everyone is to just start moving.

Make a single brush stroke, write one line of code/poetry/your story, take a picture, get a person’s phone number out, or put one thing away. Each of these things is an accomplishment in itself and can then act as a springboard for doing more. Your brain will feel the pleasure of an accomplishment and will crave more. This craving will almost always be more powerful than the sedative of dreaming without doing.

Never Just Try to Get Through Your Day

by Ryan DavisonComPostsPosted on No Comments

Anything you prepare for and anticipate will be more satisfying than something mundane that you take for granted. You can put significance on anything in your life to make it more meaningful. Rather than going through your day on autopilot, try making each event in your day noteworthy.

Don’t just brush your teeth because you have to. Turn it into a cleansing ritual and expect that when you’re finished you’ll feel better and have a better outlook on your day. You’ll be surprised how this really does work. Your day can be changed entirely by such simple things.

Take time to prepare your meals. Look at chopping vegetables as an art form rather than a task you would like to avoid. Cook slowly and deliberately. Smell the ingredients you’re using before you use them and then try to differentiate those smells as you cook.

Whatever work you do, approach it as a master craftsman. Whether you’re a clerk, a programmer, a supervisor or a salesman, ask yourself how you can be better today. What can you bring to your job or profession that no one else can or will do?  Whatever your job is, it’s significant and you can be significant in it if you’re willing.

When you drive, don’t think of your trip as a way to get from point A to point B. Instead, plan to take a different route (maybe shorter or maybe longer) so you can see a beautiful landmark or observe an event. And consider it a challenge to give grace to the other unfortunate drivers who are in such a hurry to get somewhere that they’re yelling at you to get out of the way.  

Never just try to get through your day. You only get so many of them. Have no zero days.