"If people were as creative with their excuses as they were with their work there would be so many more interesting creations in the world." Literal LOL when I read this as it's so true.
Great piece Paul. I think one of my stuggles is that I have a lot of ambitious goals for myself but am trying to be realistic about doing too many new things at one time. For example, I'm in the midst of a new workout plan/eating habits but also want to start writing more. Worried if I I try to do both I'll stick with neither. I guess that's my current version of "Shouldlandia."
👍 I've definitely been thinking about this. What am I making myself do. What am I not letting myself do.
As for the Shouldlandia term, it reminds me of books like What to Say When You Talk To Yourself by Shad Helmstetter https://amzn.to/2zc9Uoi which was helpful for me.
This is cool..."Shouldlandia" reminds me of a really cool video that Akta did on her journey to quit dentistry and just travel and figure out who she is. It's titled, "Stop Shoulding on Yourself." It's a really inspiring video that I think perfectly matches Paul's Pathless Path mission.
This resonated, Paul. Since you are a parent, I wonder how this squares with the responsibilities of that. Daily streaks/habits/commitments just don't feel compatible with parenthood, at least for me. At least once a month something will blow all my best-laid plans and habits, and I feel like I have to start at square one. I'm not asking for a magical answer for how to fix that -- unless of course you have one!
writing is the only thing ive been able to sustain, i only work a 3-day workweek now and split childcare with angie so it is hard! i think the pull to do writing is the strongest. almost everything else ive dropped the ball on, and even then i havent been 100% happy with my writing.
but i find its just a great practice of letting go. being the "best" at work has never been a goal of mine and I just try to remind myself of that
also dont generally have any daily practices. if i "skip" writing on a day I dont see it as any sort of miss. i try to avoid creating goals or targets for myself especially ones i cant naturally sustain
Yeah i think it's good to acknowledge that, when you have young children, you have to choose what you're willing to sustain. It simply can't be everything. Certainly not a clean house! My creative (non-client) writing really goes in peaks and troughs right now, but I try to make sure the troughs don't last too long. That's the best I can do.
This is brilliant Paul. Please queue up Escape From Shouldlandia as your next book! "As a creator you will always make many stops in Shouldlandia and sometimes they may be useful. But the key is just never signing a long-term lease."
one of the key differences between the default vs pathless path is that there's no clear destination when you're carving your own way which makes it even easier to should yourself across a spectrum of possible things you could be doing
love your approach to designing experiments that are quittable within 1-2 months
"If people were as creative with their excuses as they were with their work there would be so many more interesting creations in the world." Literal LOL when I read this as it's so true.
Great piece Paul. I think one of my stuggles is that I have a lot of ambitious goals for myself but am trying to be realistic about doing too many new things at one time. For example, I'm in the midst of a new workout plan/eating habits but also want to start writing more. Worried if I I try to do both I'll stick with neither. I guess that's my current version of "Shouldlandia."
I am pretty sure you have written about the power coining new words (citing Venkitesh Rao) some where before. "Shouldlandia" is such a good example!
I really enjoyed this peice.
This is such great advice. How easy it is to forget to just focus on what feels right. Great post, Paul.
👍 I've definitely been thinking about this. What am I making myself do. What am I not letting myself do.
As for the Shouldlandia term, it reminds me of books like What to Say When You Talk To Yourself by Shad Helmstetter https://amzn.to/2zc9Uoi which was helpful for me.
This is cool..."Shouldlandia" reminds me of a really cool video that Akta did on her journey to quit dentistry and just travel and figure out who she is. It's titled, "Stop Shoulding on Yourself." It's a really inspiring video that I think perfectly matches Paul's Pathless Path mission.
This resonated, Paul. Since you are a parent, I wonder how this squares with the responsibilities of that. Daily streaks/habits/commitments just don't feel compatible with parenthood, at least for me. At least once a month something will blow all my best-laid plans and habits, and I feel like I have to start at square one. I'm not asking for a magical answer for how to fix that -- unless of course you have one!
writing is the only thing ive been able to sustain, i only work a 3-day workweek now and split childcare with angie so it is hard! i think the pull to do writing is the strongest. almost everything else ive dropped the ball on, and even then i havent been 100% happy with my writing.
but i find its just a great practice of letting go. being the "best" at work has never been a goal of mine and I just try to remind myself of that
also dont generally have any daily practices. if i "skip" writing on a day I dont see it as any sort of miss. i try to avoid creating goals or targets for myself especially ones i cant naturally sustain
Yeah i think it's good to acknowledge that, when you have young children, you have to choose what you're willing to sustain. It simply can't be everything. Certainly not a clean house! My creative (non-client) writing really goes in peaks and troughs right now, but I try to make sure the troughs don't last too long. That's the best I can do.
We’ve definitely given up a clean house. Lol
This is brilliant Paul. Please queue up Escape From Shouldlandia as your next book! "As a creator you will always make many stops in Shouldlandia and sometimes they may be useful. But the key is just never signing a long-term lease."
one of the key differences between the default vs pathless path is that there's no clear destination when you're carving your own way which makes it even easier to should yourself across a spectrum of possible things you could be doing
love your approach to designing experiments that are quittable within 1-2 months
Yes! The possibilities are overwhelming and too fun to think about sometimes.