Some things are hard and some things are right. Life will always get to the point where you hit a fork in the road. The hardest choices can be the ones we need to make, But how do we make such choices easier to make? Well I'm not some sage but I'm gonna share some things that got me through the hard times...
-The hardest times are when you see the meaning of your suffering but the emptiness of your happiness. Once you see how what's stopping you are merely unnecessary restrictions and that your happiness is worth more than some empty satisfaction, it'll keep you focused on what you really need to be focused on.
-Your comfort zone is your comfort zone, so it doesn't mean you're going into a world of hurt if you step outside of it. Discomfort is as powerful as pain but it doesn't mean they are both synonymous. Our minds are f****d like that. Always try to be flexible and step outside of your comfort zone.
-Seeing is believing. It isn't enough to just do something which makes the emphasis on willpower BS. What you're doing is only as good as what you're seeing. There's a huge association between both of em. If you see the purpose in what you're doing, you won't have to force yourself as much to do with. Well willpower is definitely still a big factor, but a sense of purpose should be your first priority.
-It isn't just about seeing the big picture, it's also about seeing the small picture. One alone shouldn't be emphasized. The big picture is good for checking your priorities, while the small picture is for achieving the current priority.
-As you noticed, this is all about purpose. You're right, this really is the biggest key to everything in life. Why you do something is more important than how you do something since it's pretty much a given that you'll naturally figure how to do something the best you can as long as it fulfills a great purpose. Like I noticed if I exercise to get ripped by summer just so I can impress chicks, I don't get very far. But if I exercise to be healthier and more disciplined so I can live a better life as a decent human being, guess which one keeps me motivated? Intrinsic motivation!
-No matter what, composure is the most important thing to your life! Many people will say happiness is the most important thing. But that implies that maximizing pleasure is the most part. But that's wrong cuz if you have the mentality that you wanna maximize pleasure, it will become a race to you and therefore you will go from intrinsically motivated to extrinsically motivated. Happiness isn't supposed to be convenient, it's supposed to be a gift. Once happiness becomes a matter of convenience, you start feeling entitled to it. That's not good since life is inherently inconvenient and can't promise you anything. This is exactly why intrinsic motivation gets you further than anything else. It gives you the strength to do what you feel will fulfill your purpose, not just your whims. Purpose is the fuel to composure while satisfaction of whims is merely the nitrous oxide that gives you a little boost. In fact composure is the #1 thing you need. Versatility, consistence and persistence are the true deal breakers.
-Urgency is the biggest enemy. Since you wanna keep it all about purpose, urgency is the opposite of that. Urgency only serves to make you myopic. Purpose is not about achieving something as soon as possible, but achieving through intrinsically motivated means.
Anyways I'm just really drunk and high right now. I am cuz I felt like s**t before that, and now that I'm in the mood to share what has helping me through the hard times I'm hoping that this helps you guys. I can definitely add some more to this but for now this is what I came up with off the top so you guys can add some things too since I'm only one man.
27 Apr 2011, 11:21 pm
