I'm sitting here, still hoping to find some motivation to wipe out that last little bit of dissertation that needs doing. But, it's my birthday and I'd rather be goofing off.
But I read many years ago in Steven Pressfield's works that having the same practice, every day, makes a difference in delivering on creativity.
The problem is, whatever I may have read in the War of Art or even The Daily Pressfield, is that one still has to choose to follow that practice. Books only get you so far.
Eventually, choices are what carry the day. There are whole shelves of brilliance in the possession of many people, but few of us do anything with it. Because that wisdom still has to be acted upon.
What do we do with this, then?
First, don't forget to read the wisdom of others. There is no arrogance like those who think they do not need the wisdom of others to live life well. You are not the first person on the planet, and, honestly, most of your struggles at the very least have analogues to the struggles of others. Read something. Learn.
Second, when you read for wisdom, take notes in a manner that works for you. One suggestion I like is to use an index card for your bookmark and jot down ideas from the book that seem valuable. Then, when you're done, you will have some action steps to take.You can leave the card in the book as a reminder, but take a look at the summary and pick one thing to do.
Third, remember that you started on a learning journey for a reason. Maybe it was work. Maybe it was personal. Maybe it was to check out how this path looked. Whatever it was, you need to finish at least a portion of it. Your action step may be to put that book down and go another direction. That's okay.Make that as a choice, though, don't blunder into it.
Oh, and remember this: you can also learn from stories, perhaps even as well as you learn from intentional teaching. Whether it's "serious" literature (there's a lot to learn in War and Peace) or in "fun" books (there's a lesson in The Kobyashi Maru from Star Trek), you can be inspired and informed in fiction, too.
But then you have to act on it. Find one step and take it.
Tomorrow, take that step again.
