Quitting your job to finally start doing what you really want is a myth. I did it once and I don’t recommend it. Any excuses you have for not doing it now will remain after you quit your job. Building a structure that supports your dream is essential.
Thanks for distilling this down: it's spot on from my experience. I work primarily with adult ADHDers, and the conversation about structure comes up regularly. Without structure, all the important "stuff" flows out following whatever paths offer the least resistance.
Such a great post, Benjamin! I used to have a very bad relationship with structure fearing I would lose freedom, and instead, I’m finding the opposite. My most recent newsletter was about structure documenting my findings as I’m slowly, layer by layer, implementing structure into my life. I made so many highlights in your post and will refer back to it as I keep working on and tweaking my systems. Thanks for the great post! Just subscribed.
Good timing. I recently made the decision to focus full-time on writing and I'm in that stage where I'm trying to settle into a routine - still feeling twitchy from years of multitasking. Your insights have helped me to gain a little clarity on what's next. Thanks!
Thanks for your question. Writing has always played a role in both my personal and professional life. At the time I stopped writing I was blogging, a resilience coach, writing my third book and consulting. Too much. Took a nice break to enjoy my cozy home in the woods and now I'm going to just focus on writing and art. As far as a "job" I'll ease back into that purely as an independent but right now I'm just getting back into the flow.
I have a job that is supposedly about deep focus. Except, it isn't. You are hired to do one thing, but the administrators only want you to administrate yourself, not do the actual things - emails, constant checking in, more emails, meetings about things you may or may not do, justifications, excuses, schedules - it all overwhelms every moment of focus you might have. It's been crazy-making. Other areas of my life demand this kind of insistent attention disruption as well.
I find that I interrupt myself if there's no one to do it now, because I don't want to be surprised or jostled by the next interruption, which will be here in five minutes, rain or shine. Im like a squirrel. I hate it.
I love that you pointed out that creativity thrives in repetition. I think there is misconception that creativity is spontaneous when you put it to work. Like I could sit down for hours and write 20k words when the lightbulb hits. I’ve had to learn the hard way that creative idea best flow through the mold of structures. And discipline? I find it to be stressful sometimes. It seems easier to sit down with my grand goals, divide them up into weekly and then daily goals, and then do those little things everyday that finally build up. When I’m tired, I take a break and rest so that I don’t drain myself so much that it takes all through the night and the next day to recover. This was a nice read
Really helpful post Benjamin. I find for both myself and clients that the idea of discipline as that elusive ‘sometime in the future when I feel motivated, then I’ll do the thing’ and while I’m waiting to feel motivated, I guess there’s not much I can do’ kind of belief is completely unhelpful. Creating simple structures and systems allow you to start small and build something that works for you personally. Not always easy if you’re prone to grandiose, all or nothing thinking! 😬
Ok, this is one of the best articles I've read here at Substack. I really love how you addressed - and questioned!! - the topics of routine and creativity. It helped me a lot to reflect on my writing and keep working on it in an adequate and joyful way.
So interesting. I'm a chaotic person. I have just finished my pre-degree access course and during that course, I realised, after a lifetime of rejecting structure, I actually really like structure! It's a fantastic aid to getting things done. I never knew. I'm 55 years old and still learning new things about myself. Great post. Thanks.
It's one of those weird things were we associate freedom with doing "whatever we want" but having no limits or restraints get quite overwhelming quickly
Quitting your job to finally start doing what you really want is a myth. I did it once and I don’t recommend it. Any excuses you have for not doing it now will remain after you quit your job. Building a structure that supports your dream is essential.
Yeees! 100%. If you can’t make it work part time, you won’t make it work full time
Thanks for distilling this down: it's spot on from my experience. I work primarily with adult ADHDers, and the conversation about structure comes up regularly. Without structure, all the important "stuff" flows out following whatever paths offer the least resistance.
Such a great post, Benjamin! I used to have a very bad relationship with structure fearing I would lose freedom, and instead, I’m finding the opposite. My most recent newsletter was about structure documenting my findings as I’m slowly, layer by layer, implementing structure into my life. I made so many highlights in your post and will refer back to it as I keep working on and tweaking my systems. Thanks for the great post! Just subscribed.
An incredible post 😍
This resonates particularly “when you design your environment, your schedule, and your expectations well, discipline just becomes irrelevant”
I always end up snatching minutes out hours here and there, feeling guilty for both writing and not writing enough.
Definitely going to try and out sine systems in place! Thanks for the inspiration 🙏
Discipline had been replaced with grit work, bleeding your teeth.
But what most people don't need David Goggins like monologue.
They need alignment with your vision, systems and goal.
Well written Ben :)
Thanks Abhi. And yeah David goggins is a level of extreme that most people can’t fathom
Good timing. I recently made the decision to focus full-time on writing and I'm in that stage where I'm trying to settle into a routine - still feeling twitchy from years of multitasking. Your insights have helped me to gain a little clarity on what's next. Thanks!
Congrats on the full time writing. Is this purely your own thing or are you writing as a "job" so to speak?
Thanks for your question. Writing has always played a role in both my personal and professional life. At the time I stopped writing I was blogging, a resilience coach, writing my third book and consulting. Too much. Took a nice break to enjoy my cozy home in the woods and now I'm going to just focus on writing and art. As far as a "job" I'll ease back into that purely as an independent but right now I'm just getting back into the flow.
Sounds great...best of luck with the new direction :)
"Twitchy from years of multitasking"
Yes.
I have a job that is supposedly about deep focus. Except, it isn't. You are hired to do one thing, but the administrators only want you to administrate yourself, not do the actual things - emails, constant checking in, more emails, meetings about things you may or may not do, justifications, excuses, schedules - it all overwhelms every moment of focus you might have. It's been crazy-making. Other areas of my life demand this kind of insistent attention disruption as well.
I find that I interrupt myself if there's no one to do it now, because I don't want to be surprised or jostled by the next interruption, which will be here in five minutes, rain or shine. Im like a squirrel. I hate it.
one word about your post - Beeindruckend
Haha thanks Nigel. Another German speaker here it seems :)
Well done! 👏 I find that the busier I am, the more I get done. That said, a break now & then is valuable too.
Insightful! Thank you!
I love that you pointed out that creativity thrives in repetition. I think there is misconception that creativity is spontaneous when you put it to work. Like I could sit down for hours and write 20k words when the lightbulb hits. I’ve had to learn the hard way that creative idea best flow through the mold of structures. And discipline? I find it to be stressful sometimes. It seems easier to sit down with my grand goals, divide them up into weekly and then daily goals, and then do those little things everyday that finally build up. When I’m tired, I take a break and rest so that I don’t drain myself so much that it takes all through the night and the next day to recover. This was a nice read
yes its one of the biggest misconceptions out there. It really is just about doing the same thing day in day out
Really helpful post Benjamin. I find for both myself and clients that the idea of discipline as that elusive ‘sometime in the future when I feel motivated, then I’ll do the thing’ and while I’m waiting to feel motivated, I guess there’s not much I can do’ kind of belief is completely unhelpful. Creating simple structures and systems allow you to start small and build something that works for you personally. Not always easy if you’re prone to grandiose, all or nothing thinking! 😬
Yeah small steps is the way to go :)
Ok, this is one of the best articles I've read here at Substack. I really love how you addressed - and questioned!! - the topics of routine and creativity. It helped me a lot to reflect on my writing and keep working on it in an adequate and joyful way.
Thanks a lot and I’m so glad it helped 🙏. It really took me a long time to come to these conclusions
It's simple, really.
If you hate what you do, you won't get too far with it.
100%. That is what people seem to miss. Doesn't matter how profitable something is. If you don't enjoy it, it won't be profitable for long
So interesting. I'm a chaotic person. I have just finished my pre-degree access course and during that course, I realised, after a lifetime of rejecting structure, I actually really like structure! It's a fantastic aid to getting things done. I never knew. I'm 55 years old and still learning new things about myself. Great post. Thanks.
It's one of those weird things were we associate freedom with doing "whatever we want" but having no limits or restraints get quite overwhelming quickly
def gonna note some of the things down.
need to find the answers to them.
Wonderfully encouraging. Compelling, engaging and just what I needed right now. Thank you Benjamin.