I would add that this process is largely ineffectual if you don’t have a designated place where you can be creative without interruption or distraction (for me, at least). Laptops and phones can travel anywhere but sometimes they are the problem. They’re full of distractions which send out those dopamine hooks to the creative brain. As a writer, pen and paper are key for me and a place where I can sit and write without being bothered by anyone of anything. At the moment it’s the kitchen table before anyone wakes up. Soon, it’ll be a purpose-built studio i’m building in the backyard. I can’t wait.
I needed this today Benjamin, thank you as always for your calming yet inspiring words 😌 staying focused is something I’m working on - as you say “Commit to focus and everything else will follow on from there.”
I love this. I prefer to stick with different ideas for a longer period. Develop them slowly. I like to work on multiple things at a time so that takes boredom out of the equation.
This really resonates with me. I, too, am one of those creatives with a dozen projects going at once. (Currently learning Portuguese, teaching myself to paint, learning to play the pipe organ, etc).
Over the past few years, I've really learned the value and effectiveness of consistent (even small) efforts. It's a habit that I'm perpetually refining to improve my outcomes, but it's really encouraging and motivating to feel like I've "figured it out" when it comes to my own productivity. For too many years I've just kind of floundered since I tend to be interested in a lots of things at once. (And there always seems to be something more to learn/explore).
You gave me a lot to think about! I actually study (and teach about) attention, and most of what you are saying is right in line with research on this subject. I am new to Substack, at the stage of develop,ent it as a retirement stage. i am still working (sort of), so I have the luxury of defining a writing schedule for this new part of my life. So, I really appreciate your suggestions.
Sounds like you are starting at just the right time. Substack is taking off, you're entering retirement so you have more time to write....the stars have aligned .)
Ok. I was curious if it was a specific research study. I’m sure we spend hours on hour phones every day, but… holy moly 😂 we definitely have an addiction
*Trying "to force it" comes from impatience, a short-term perspective and a lack of trust in our own soul voice/spirit guides/the Universe.
*The "attentional commons," a term I'm borrowing from Michael Crawford's book "The World Beyond Your Head," has been under assault for a long time - think TVs in waiting rooms and restaurants. We should have the right to choose to exclude that barrage of mostly unwelcome stimuli. We surely need to be able/disciplined enough to look away from the screen and focus on what we want to focus on.
*Letting your unconscious mind do some or much of the work is a great strategy. "Sleeping on it" is evidence that we somehow know this is effective.
*An hour or two spent on our creative pursuits - that is a lot of time. And it makes us feel good about ourselves in a deeper way than a heart we receive on Substack or Instagram.
*To paraphrase one of the Stoics, you don't need a monastery or a hideaway in the mountains, the monastery, the hideaway, can be inside your head.
The monastery or hideaway can be inside your head- love that idea. Focus is so key along with a strong will. And thanks for book rec. haven’t heard of that
Yeah, it’s not about grinding away for a decade; it’s about making those two hours count. Consistency trumps intensity every time. Little by little, you’ll build something that fits your life, rather than the other way around.
Good stuff - look forward to following your work! Deep Dan Koe vibes and I like.
Especially like the point about needing a creative outlet to filter out the noise. Action leads to Relevance Realisation (I believe john Vervaeke keeps going on about this term). Vibes with what I'm writing about at the moment. Exhale before you inhale.
And 2hrs is 100% enough time for almost anything. Even 5 mins a day gets the ball going.
"Become a creator first. Be a consumer second" is a mindset shift I had to adopt when creating a system for how to write consistently. It takes constant practice and is about getting your words out there rather than creating the perfect piece.
Thanks for the post it's very practical and we can start right now with 10 minutes then progressive overload 👏
Yes. We tend to want it all at once, but that’s not how it works
I would add that this process is largely ineffectual if you don’t have a designated place where you can be creative without interruption or distraction (for me, at least). Laptops and phones can travel anywhere but sometimes they are the problem. They’re full of distractions which send out those dopamine hooks to the creative brain. As a writer, pen and paper are key for me and a place where I can sit and write without being bothered by anyone of anything. At the moment it’s the kitchen table before anyone wakes up. Soon, it’ll be a purpose-built studio i’m building in the backyard. I can’t wait.
100%. A distraction free environment is key.
Great article. I like the idea that you can start small, even with 10 minutes.
I agree that 2 hours a day can actually be a lots.
Yes. It’s more than enough time. When broken up into different chunks its even more effective
I needed this today Benjamin, thank you as always for your calming yet inspiring words 😌 staying focused is something I’m working on - as you say “Commit to focus and everything else will follow on from there.”
Thanks Shelly I appreciate your kind words. Focus at least for a few hours a has been hugely beneficial for me :)
I love this. I prefer to stick with different ideas for a longer period. Develop them slowly. I like to work on multiple things at a time so that takes boredom out of the equation.
you and me both. It’s always a bonus to have something interesting to work on
This really resonates with me. I, too, am one of those creatives with a dozen projects going at once. (Currently learning Portuguese, teaching myself to paint, learning to play the pipe organ, etc).
Over the past few years, I've really learned the value and effectiveness of consistent (even small) efforts. It's a habit that I'm perpetually refining to improve my outcomes, but it's really encouraging and motivating to feel like I've "figured it out" when it comes to my own productivity. For too many years I've just kind of floundered since I tend to be interested in a lots of things at once. (And there always seems to be something more to learn/explore).
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Portuguese , thats cool. learning a new language is tough. so rewarding but one of the most cognitively challenging things you can do. kudos
You gave me a lot to think about! I actually study (and teach about) attention, and most of what you are saying is right in line with research on this subject. I am new to Substack, at the stage of develop,ent it as a retirement stage. i am still working (sort of), so I have the luxury of defining a writing schedule for this new part of my life. So, I really appreciate your suggestions.
Sounds like you are starting at just the right time. Substack is taking off, you're entering retirement so you have more time to write....the stars have aligned .)
Nice post! Where did you find the statistics on where the average American spend their time? 😊
Thanks. I googled it…obviously higher for Gen-Z so I kind of averaged it out
Ok. I was curious if it was a specific research study. I’m sure we spend hours on hour phones every day, but… holy moly 😂 we definitely have an addiction
Yes there have been a lot of studies with different results by the average seems to be around 5 hours a day.
I agree:
*Trying "to force it" comes from impatience, a short-term perspective and a lack of trust in our own soul voice/spirit guides/the Universe.
*The "attentional commons," a term I'm borrowing from Michael Crawford's book "The World Beyond Your Head," has been under assault for a long time - think TVs in waiting rooms and restaurants. We should have the right to choose to exclude that barrage of mostly unwelcome stimuli. We surely need to be able/disciplined enough to look away from the screen and focus on what we want to focus on.
*Letting your unconscious mind do some or much of the work is a great strategy. "Sleeping on it" is evidence that we somehow know this is effective.
*An hour or two spent on our creative pursuits - that is a lot of time. And it makes us feel good about ourselves in a deeper way than a heart we receive on Substack or Instagram.
*To paraphrase one of the Stoics, you don't need a monastery or a hideaway in the mountains, the monastery, the hideaway, can be inside your head.
Thanks, Benjamin.
The monastery or hideaway can be inside your head- love that idea. Focus is so key along with a strong will. And thanks for book rec. haven’t heard of that
A very good walk through your process and helpful... Thank you for sharing it 🙏
Glad to hear it helped Vedic😀
Yeah, it’s not about grinding away for a decade; it’s about making those two hours count. Consistency trumps intensity every time. Little by little, you’ll build something that fits your life, rather than the other way around.
Good stuff - look forward to following your work! Deep Dan Koe vibes and I like.
Especially like the point about needing a creative outlet to filter out the noise. Action leads to Relevance Realisation (I believe john Vervaeke keeps going on about this term). Vibes with what I'm writing about at the moment. Exhale before you inhale.
And 2hrs is 100% enough time for almost anything. Even 5 mins a day gets the ball going.
Thanks!
"Become a creator first. Be a consumer second" is a mindset shift I had to adopt when creating a system for how to write consistently. It takes constant practice and is about getting your words out there rather than creating the perfect piece.
Great post Benjamin.