THE PROCESS
If you’re serious, you’ll work at managing your psychology such that you stay motivated to keep going, because if you run out of juice, you’re out of the game.
Are you serious?
If you’re serious, you will optimize for survival, because you can’t keep playing if you’re dead.
Are you serious?
reading fiction is so important for writing non-fiction prose that’s enjoyable to read
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one way to live with the discomfort is to reframe it as evidence. instead of telling yourself “i’m bad at this,” try “i’m inside the process.” the first thought breeds shame and avoidance. the second breeds patience. the language you use with yourself matters because it dictates whether you return to the desk, to the studio, to the practice space.... See more
how to live with the discomfort of learning (instead of running from it)
learning demands a temporary surrender of pride.
how to live with the discomfort of learning (instead of running from it)
but the discomfort is not proof that you’re failing; it’s proof that you’re present in the process. when you feel that itch of inadequacy, that awkwardness of not being fluent yet, that is the body’s way of recording: something new is happening here. neurons are straining to connect. muscles are memorizing movements. patterns are being written. the... See more
how to live with the discomfort of learning (instead of running from it)
- Collecting: Gathering interesting ideas
- Connecting: Drawing connections and organizing materials
- Creating: Producing something new
Sari Azout • The End of Productivity

"I had so many ideas that I simply wanted to take them out of my head and see them before me.
After that, I could see how they connected with one another and started developing an argument for my article.
I was begging for a space that could give me freedom when I needed to brainstorm and enough structure to turn those ideas into my final