Through talking to my supervisor, it became clear that my graveyard of projects was a product of self-handicapping . We avoid finishing projects because we can't stand the possibility that the finished product won't be as great or perfect as we envisioned it, which means we aren't as great as we think we are. Consider the violinist who... See more

When you experience someone else’s genius work, a little part of you feels, “That’s what I could have, would have, and should have done!”

Someone else did it. You didn’t.

They fought the resistance. You gave in to distractions.

They made it top priority. You said you’d get to it some day.

They took the time. You meant to.

When this happens, you can... See more

I’ve noticed this subtle, sneaky, nearly undetectable pattern in myself where I’ll have an idea, and I’ll then say to myself: oh, that’s a great idea. I want to let it sit. I will write about it soon. And then another idea pops up, before I get the chance to write about that first idea. But this next idea is so compelling! And I want to write about... See more

Yes. I have a young friend who dreams of becoming a novelist, but who never seems to be able to complete his work. According to him, his job keeps him too busy, and he can never find enough time to write novels, and that’s why he can’t complete work and enter it for writing awards. But is that the real reason? No! It’s actually that he wants to

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