Why Do I Do This?

People who keep at it day after day, week after week are inspiring. Their dedication and discipline is admirable.   

What does it take to keep up that kind of commitment?

​I'd really like to know.

Here are some things that tend to get me sidetracked.

1. Letting things slide. When my foggy, misty goal is far off, when the path is overgrown and difficult to hack through, it's easy to let things slide.  

It's not important to do this or that today. There is always tomorrow. Tomorrow's good enough. I can get back to it then.  

This is a big trap. If I let something slide once it's oh so frigging easy to let it slide again.

Then I need a swift kick in the pants to get going again.

2.  Contemplating My Navel. I'm a pretty laid-back guy. I like contemplating things. Sometimes it works against me. Sometimes it will break my rhythm and get me out of the groove. If it gets out of control it'll get me off the path quicker bacon disappears at the breakfast table. 

3. Breaking it into Parts. When things get complicated, I like to break things down into smaller parts.  Then I find each part has another smaller part. It is so easy to slide into this morass of mental manipulation.  Then I'm caught wading quagmire of indecision and procrastination. 

4. Losing Interest.  If something's been sliding for too long I can easily lose interest.

When I'm in the moment it's interesting and exciting. When I pursue a goal daily I'm more apt to stay interested.  It's more likely to feed my enthusiasm.  

When I lose interest in an idea it can lingers in the back of my mind stifling other things I want to do.  

5.  Finding a New Shiny Thing.  When my mind is chugging along there are always new and exciting ideas popping up to distract me.  Unfortunately, I don't have time to chase them all down. I have to make a decision. I have to choose. If something new comes in that means something has to go.  It's all so difficult.  I make it difficult on myself. 

Remembering Why

I read a great book by Simon Senik called "Start With Why".  This book describes why some people are successful and can accomplish things over and over again and why some people cannot.

Senik says those that are successful start with a good foundation. They begin with why they're doing what they're doing.

That "why" has to be compelling enough to break through the automatic pilot.  

This means I have to discover a compelling driver. 

I am pretty good at doing things just because they're a challenge but only for a while. Sometimes I need more.  Sometimes the challenge itself just isn't enough. 

Well, I'll to try to discover that "why" as I continue to practice my drawing and painting.  I need to discover why drawing and painting is so important to me.  I do enjoy it.  

But it has to be more than that. 

Is it important because I get positive feedback or I have something to say? 

Those might be true but I think it's a bit deeper than that.  We each have something positive to give while our heart's pumps and our lungs suck air.  

Giving is always better than receiving.  At least that is what I've been taught. 

I want to continue to do this because when I'm creating I'm contributing.  When I express myself I'm making the world a better place. When I create I can possibly inspire someone else to create as well.  That would make me feel like I've really accomplished something of value. 

I want to be that kind of person.  

I want to be the kind of person that helps; the person who can inspire.  

I think I just want to be a good person. 

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