Today marks the end of the third week of December. It has been 21 days since I started the December edition of ‘The Power Of Everyday’ project.
For this month I had chosen the task of writing and publishing a blog post every single day. And I am happy to share that so far, I haven’t missed a single day.
It was daunting to imagine at first that I would be able to write and share something meaningful every day. But three weeks into the challenge, I feel confident about my ability to keep up.
Today I would like to share my experience so far, and what I learned from other like minded people in this journey.
A few years back, I had read about an intriguing morning routine of a world class gymnast. She did away from having an elaborate plan about each day’s routine.
She had only one rule to follow.
Every morning, at 4:30 am she had to be waiting for the public bus that took her to the training facility.
She did not have the aim of practising everyday.
The rule was to show up at that bus stop.
And every single day, by the time she reached the bus stop, she had already won over any inertia that held her back.
Training was then only a natural consequence.
I was inspired by this novel approach and got thinking about how I could design a similar framework for my own writing endeavor.
The simple rule I came up with was :
‘Show up at your writing desk at 8 am, every single day.’
I would already have a minimal and organised desk that I’d prepare the night before. A blank leaf of my journal would be open, waiting for me.
All I had to do was to show up at 8 am and sit in the chair.
And then, the magic happens!
Over the course of the past three weeks, I’ve come to realise that making art is more about the discipline than inspiration.
Here’s a brilliantly illustrated comic about why inspiration comes to those who master their disinclination.
If you wish to improve on your art, form habits that align you in the direction of your dreams, and live a creative life,
You just need to follow a simple rule.
Show Up.
Every single day.
It might sound sterile and counterintuitive to the idea of spontaneous creativity. But inspiration will only come to you, if it finds you working.
Do not aim to say, paint everyday if you are a painter.
Sit with your sketchbook in the park, every single day.
That will make sure you will make art everyday.
Create a framework.
And stick to it.
Once you show up, you’d realise that
The idea is already waiting for you.
It really works. Try it !
I wish you good luck 🙂
