The Source of Friction
Fear and chaos belittle you to the point of inaction. Reduce their friction or succumb to it.
“Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.” — William Shakespeare
What keeps you from starting keeps you from continuing.
You must remove the friction. Otherwise, it grates on every step you take like coarse sandpaper. This friction goes by many names, but it is rooted in two ancient enemies. Awareness is key for reducing their impact on your work.
Fear: The Vampire
Fear feeds on countless insecurities. It once served to protect but now endangers with inaction. Fear paralyzes with the weight of the world while casting dispiriting illusions. It is the chief enemy of getting started.
You know its many names...
Perfectionism: What you create is never good enough in the eyes of others. It must be better. You must be better. Appearing weak or vulnerable will be the end of you and your work.
Impostor Syndrome: You aren’t good enough. Publishing your work is pointless. You won’t make any progress. You will be exposed as a fraud... a charlatan!
Procrastination: You aren’t quite ready to start. The time isn’t right. Conditions aren’t favorable. Starting now would be premature.
Insecurity: Everyone will judge you. They always do. And you will be found lacking!
Chaos: The Void
Chaos is disorder incarnate. It seeks to destroy any semblance of discipline. It does not tolerate meaning, purpose and direction. Chaos obscures the first step and is the chief enemy of continuing. For how does one continue with no direction?
You know its many names...
Burnout: Climb the ladder. Seek out the next achievement. Win that award. There is no time to rest or even think. Stay busy or others will surpass you. Rest is for the weak and lazy.
Lack of Inspiration: You bathe in mediocrity every day. There is no time for play. Ideas are mythical creatures. Curiosity died long ago and was subsumed by ignorance and apathy.
Lack of Purpose: You don’t know what to do, where to go or how to get there. You wander aimlessly, adrift on Life’s current. Your compass is broken with no hope of repair.
Lack of Discipline: Juggle a million things at once. Scroll social media. Binge watch Netflix. Feed those ineffective habits. And do anything but focus on what is meaningful!
Fear and Chaos... You are intimately familiar with these ancient enemies and the masks they wear. The friction in your life originates here. And if not addressed, they will eat away at you from the inside out.
🤔 Food for Thought:
How is fear stopping you from taking the first step?
How is chaos thwarting consistency and additional steps?
What dreams have these ancient enemies kept you from achieving?
⚙️ One Small Step:
What is the biggest friction point for you? Name it. Acknowledge its effect on you. Now name the dream it keeps you from achieving. Do this every day to foster awareness. Only then are you ready to confront it.