A good idea | The real thing | The simplicity of discipline
Every week we curate 3 ultra-focused ideas to reduce life complexity. On Saturday we share them with you via email.
Let’s start!
“That’s a good idea”
Most of our ideas have no real potential. But we have so many that in such a big pile there's always a very good one.
But even an amazing idea is still a waste of time and energy, if you don't commit to it.
We put a lot of pressure on the idea to be perfect because it distracts us from the reality that the hundred steps after the idea are going to make all the difference. | Seth Godin
Do the Real Thing
Aspiring entrepreneurs love to plan. They want to prepare themselves for the “real thing”. Starting a new venture is hard. So, better be prepared.
Most of the time it's useless.
Planning is easy and exciting. But they can't know the real challenges in front of them. So all those plans are just a waste of time.
If you start something new, do the real thing, first. It will be brutal. You will fail.
But you'll also discover what are the real obstacles in front of you. Which skills you need, and which are less relevant.
We’re trained to think that something is better than nothing. This is true, but only if it’s a real something. Fake somethings not only fail to create progress, they numb you to the possibility of real striving. | Scott H. Young
Commit to the hard way, and every progress will be a real one.
The Simplicity of Discipline: Thriving Without the Baggage of Expectations
Expectations ruin every effort.
Improving any area of life take way longer than we imagine. For example building a new habit seems easy. And on it is. But then you see that the progress are slow. Your initial expectations were unrealistic. But you still feel bad. And so you fail to be consistent.
All of the problems of habits start to go away when we drop expectations. We can start to appreciate doing the habit, in this moment, instead of being so concerned with how it will turn out in the future. | Zen Habits
Our mind is an expectations' generator. Blocking that part of your brain is impossible. But you can focus on something else.
Put your effort into the discipline of doing constant work. Do small things. But do them every day. You won't match your expectations straight away. But you won't block your progress either.
Thank you for reading this newsletter.
Now, I’m curious about you.
What decisions are challenging you at the moment? What are the mental strategies that you find more helpful?
Write me back!
And don’t forget to share We Who Think with your smartest friends. Thank you!
Until next week,
Samuele
PS Did someone forward this issue of the We Who Think newsletter to you? Join us by signing up here.