I hate when my days start feeling the same.
I enjoy variety, surprise, and delight.
To be taken on a journey, one day at a time, I enjoy the journey more than the idea of a destination. Everything is a work in progress. The point at which I can consider myself a master being in 10 to 20 years, not 10 to 20 nights.
The way I move about the world is on a week-to-week basis.
Each week, the goal is to make progress on each of my projects.
From publishing my bi-weekly newsletter to reading regularly. The goal isn't to stick to one dogmatic schedule that becomes predictable, lived in, and uninspiring. The goal has always been to follow my curiosity and joy.
If that means focusing on four or five projects over the long term.
So be it.
I never bought into the idea that we should study one subject our whole life and become masters of one. I've always wanted to be a jack of all trades because I have so many interests. I know I'm not alone in this--it's our natural urge as human beings to want to explore and experience life.
Being a master of one there is a lot of potential for growth.
Just as someone who doesn't read doesn’t get the opportunity to live vicariously through a fictional or historical figure.
Books are incredible. Through reading, we alter our thoughts and ideas based on the experiences and perspectives of others. Whether it's fiction or nonfiction, the transfer of ideas through reading is a profound one.
While reading, we are reading the refined thoughts of great thinkers.
We are getting into someone else's head and intimately experiencing the transfer of information.
Nevertheless, there are people out there who feel they aren't missing anything by not reading. Books are an ancient technology, but they still have practical uses in the 21st century. A sublime gateway to knowledge and experience.
The 7-Day Habit Cycle
My week runs from Sunday to Saturday.
I also use a 24-hour clock so that if I choose to take a nap, I'm not shocked by the sudden change in daylight. I know whether it's in the morning or evening at a glance.
Beyond that, Sunday is sort of my prep day.
Work is usually slow, so during this time I get some reading done or I work on the plot grid for my novel.
After work, I usually read a little more, listen to some music, and relax. Sort of mentally preparing for the week. I set 2-3 goals for the week and then head to bed around 7 o'clock so I can be up at 4 AM for work.
During the week, I'm not able to do other things between calls, so work is my focus during those 8 hours.
Once I get off usually perform 2-3 tasks relating to the projects I have going on and spend the rest of the time relaxing and not thinking about work.
I repeat this process on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, which leads into my weekend. Thursday and Friday are wildcard days, as I have more time available to me.
Most of the time, I use the weekend to catch up on the things I neglected during the work week, like reading, coding, or writing.
Then Saturday I work again, and it's like any other working day.
Rinse and repeat.
On Sunday, I assess whether I accomplished the goals I set for the prior week. If not, I make adjustments.
The Truth About Habits At the Advance Level
In the beginning, the most important thing you can do is be consistent with your habits until they feel natural.
But as you add to your plate, it becomes essential to spread out your duties so that you're never overwhelmed and the fun isn't sucked right out of the activity.
If you've been thinking about getting back into music, take it one week at a time.
Maybe you set aside one day and an hour to work on your music.
The same can be said for any habit or activity. Give it one day and an hour a week. Then over time, you can up it to twice a week, or three times a week. Whatever works for your lifestyle. Meanwhile, you're also giving other interests a chance to shine.
It's not about what you do day-to-day, but week-to-week when you are juggling many different projects and interests.
So go out there and do the things that bring you joy and spike your curiosity.
Don't wait, create!
I’ve been working on carving out time for playing guitar and songwriting again and your suggestion of just an hour a week makes it feel manageable. So when you said “if you’ve been thinking about getting back into music” it felt like I was meant to see it today. Don’t wait, Create! Thank you for the gentle push today Idris Elijah!
It’s so validating to see someone else thriving by exploring a range of interests. That used to feel like a flaw for me but now I’m starting to see it as a strength. As a writer, I really resonated with your idea that progress is best tracked weekly. Some days the words just aren’t there but giving myself room across seven days gives permission to move slow and stay joyful. P.S. I would love a “Don’t wait, Create” t-shirt! Thank you for the motivating read Idris Elijah!