One really striking outcome from July is that not a SINGLE day of writing was completed. As a result, it’s now the start of August, and as it’s the first bit of writing I've done (long streak coming!) - I'm devoting this opening gambit to notes from a conversation between Tim Ferris & Seth Godin.
What distinguishes the amateur from the professional?
- Deciding that you are going to do the work. Regardless of dozens of bad ideas, or not. Having faith that many ideas leads to a few good ones.
- On writers block: “No one gets plumber’s block. They simply do plumbing. Creativity is work. It’s not the muse, or lightning, or the result of burning incense. It’s the work.”
- On Routine: Surgeon’s always wash their hands, even if they figure they don’t need to because there are no germs. Because you always do. Because that’s part of what it is to be a surgeon. What’s the equivalent of the handwashing? What’s the equivalent of the method that you’re going to use to go back to letting your cognitive strategic brain have a say before you get sucked in by the emotional reaction?
Cognitively I'm aware of this. Mentally I've been weak on follow-through. We Go Again!
Progress has been spurred by the coaches, compadres and competitors - particularly physical. Marathon training is off to a good start, i’ll use the Men’s Health 3 Hour Marathon routine especially. My drumming would be so much better if the drummers I knew were more active, need to source more drumming circles. What’s been especially amazing is getting back into cycling & swimming, discovered a gem called the diver’s cove that is like heaven on earth!
Wim Hof has been approachable, manageable and perhaps even enjoyable. Really helps to practice nose breathing, deep into the diaphragm, as well as controlling heart rate. Vocally there is greater capacity to put some air behind trickier notes and sing them gently yet powerfully without straining the vocal chords. Oh and from a music perspective the big surprise has been the PIANO. I removed it from this list due to lack of regular access to one, however i’ve been able to access one intermittently and the difference strengthened fingers (from daily rigorous guitar practice) is making is palpable. Honestly don’t feel like i’m losing a huge amount of ground here.
Sleep has been solid, I wake up lots of times in the night though then go back to sleep. Bit annoying and not sure what that’s about, definitely a recent development. Fortunately less commuting now means more time for snoozing! Diet has been so clean its a joke, cut the bread and have gradually gotten back into the intermittent fasting schedule as the month progressed. Meditation has been occasional and probably not exactly as prescribed i.e. me lying in bed and catching a few naps in between Asana’s. HUGE aspirations for August: cycles, swims, tunes, epiphanies, profundities & creativity. All that remains to be said:
“I never met a man i'd rather be. And even if thats a grand delusion, its a lucky one!”
Charles Bukowski
Tennis with Simon
Tennis with George
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Cycle and Swim to the Divers Cove with Adam
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Strange Date
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Rings practice in the park
Poker with the Boys (Baz, Macca, Porter, Callo)
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Oxford with the crew (Shed, Peake, Jess)
