In my last post, I wrote about how I felt like sitting down to write had become a chore. I wasn't getting the same feeling of excitement when I went to do so as I previously had.
I've realised I was viewing the process of writing completely wrong. It was becoming a tick-the-box exercise to say I'd done it.
It wasn't looking at it as an activity I find fun or seeking the part I love most about the process.
What I truly enjoy about writing is thinking.
Whether that's about the inner workings of my mind or the world around me, stepping into the realm of thinking results in better writing.
Because that's what writing or any creative endeavour is at its core - exercising our ability to think and reflect.
There are a lot of factors which contribute to the way our minds operate. From the people around us to the media we consume, these all add to (or take away from) our ability to go deeper with our thoughts.
That's why I encourage everyone to partake in the simplest form of writing - journaling.
It's the entryway to unlocking the complexities of your mind.
Something I've Been Thinking About
There's a concept in chemistry called 'activation energy'.
This is the amount of energy required for a chemical reaction to occur. Some reactions need more energy than others to take place.
To improve the chance of these reactions happening, a catalyst to will increase the rate of reaction and lower the activation energy.
How does this relate to everyday life?
Imagine you have a goal but every time you go to start or begin to make progress you never quite reach the peak for whatever reason and find yourself having to start over again.
You're putting in a lot of effort but never seeing the result materialise.
This could be down to you lacking your own catalyst or, as I like to think of it, - purpose.
If the goal is to run a marathon, your purpose may be to prove to yourself you can challenge your own limiting beliefs in working towards your best possible self.
Only by having your purpose with you at every decision can you get over that hump to the goal you're aiming towards.
What I'm Listening To
The concept of having purpose at the forefront of my mind came from New Zealand rugby great Dan Carter, which he speaks about in his book The Art of Winning.
Listening to all-time greats in their field who have competed at the highest level of sport always fascinates me because of their elite mindset.
Team environments are fascinating due to the number of people involved, egos and personalities all buying into the greater goal. In the case of the All Blacks, it was becoming the most dominant team in rugby history.
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Speak soon!