Category: Thoughts

Two hours. Right now my writing allocation is two hours a day. Honestly, a bit more, but it’s a dedicated two hours in the afternoon.

And I spend a lot of time staring at the wall in front of me or out the window beside me. Probably more than half the time allocated to writing is spent not writing. Not that I’m blocked. In fact, I can really knock out about a five to seven posts in that two hours – so I’m getting ahead of myself.

But I don’t do anything else with that time. It’s either writing or not writing. But it is not reading, or having the tv on in the background, or taking phone calls. It is two hours to write or think about writing.

And staring at the wall.

Barriers aren’t necessarily bad things. They can function as a failsafe or a precautionary measure. They can evaluate preparedness and similarities.

They can also be misused, preventing potential candidates from ever joining the ranks of whatever it is the barrier is managing the flow into.

Such barriers can be financial, physical, or even time. Learning to play an instrument has the following barriers: the cost or availability of the instrument; it’s maintenance; an instructor; and time to practice.

In that particular case, the barriers to entry aren’t difficult per se. They just require a level of commitment.

Consider Harvard, one of the premier Ivy League schools. Beyond the roughly $80,000 you’ll need per year – tuition, books, housing, and meals – you’d also want an SAT score of 1580 or higher, or a 35 on the ACT. Also recommended to carry nearly a 4.2 GPA.

Those happen to be high barriers to entry, though, not as high as some other situations. And again, with determination, and being mindful of how cold Cambridge gets in the winter, it’s possible to fulfill that dream – if that’s what you want.

These obstacles and challenges we face when trying to achieve something, or join a particular field, or pursue our goals – they can manifest in various forms. Sometimes it’s financial constraints or a lack of resources. Maybe there’s limited access to education or training. And even the familial and societal pressures we face.

It can be discouraging to individuals pursuing their goals and not finding the proper footing. Or even looking at the obstacles, sadly, many don’t even begin.

When you consider that everything, though, is a choice of some kind. A trade off. And every decision has some sort of cost attached, whether it be minute – a bit of time or exertion – or astronomical – quite literally, in the case of becoming an astronaut!

It’s all a matter of how you frame those choices.

Continuously learning and expanding our horizons, we feed our minds with a rich tapestry of information.

Reading, classes, attending seminars, or exploring different disciplines. These expose us to new perspectives and concepts that can trigger moments of insight. The more we learn, the more raw materials we have to shape into innovative ideas.

Ideas are the lifeblood of innovation and creativity. They shape our world, drive progress, and spark new discoveries. But where do ideas come from?

Are they simply random occurrences or is there a method to their madness?

Emerging from our observations, experiences, problem-solving endeavors, collaborations, reflections, and our never-ending thirst for knowledge; ideas are not confined to any particular domain.

They transcend boundaries and can arise from the most unexpected places.

It’s a kinder way of saying, “if you don’t take care of yourself, you’re not going to be able to help other people.” 

You can’t pour out from an empty cup. You have to fill it. Find time to fill it. Be kind to yourself. Take care of yourself.

It’s the only way to maintain the energy to make a difference.

I feel there should be a program to take individuals and place them in a country different from their own. Not student exchange, though I think that’s hugely beneficial. And not for vacation or Instagramming or whatever. Something that embeds a person in a new culture. Exposes them to other experiences.

And there are great programs out there. Road scholar, The Peace Corps, and even cruise lines – though there is some debate working conditions on a cruise ship. But it doesn’t quite do the job, not when it comes to really understanding a place.

And it’s cost prohibitive to pay for travel for many, and time prohibitive – and potentially physically prohibitive – to go work for a company that includes travel. So We have a broad swath of the world missing out on new culture, new understanding.

No, I’ve no idea how it would work. But just because I don’t understand the mechanics of it yet doesn’t mean it wouldn’t have value.

It’s a thing – we only have so much time on this Earth. Time is a precious resource that we all have in limited supply. It is essential that we use our time in a way that makes us feel fulfilled. It’s good to accomplish our goals, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and find joy. When faced with the end of those precious seconds, I believe we’d rather not regret anything.

Consistency is key when it comes to writing. Probably anything worth doing.

Set aside dedicated time each day or week to write. Explore different topics, experiment with different styles, and allow yourself to make mistakes.

The more you write, the more you will understand what works for you and what doesn’t. It’s about the process of trial and error. And it will ultimately lead you to becoming a better writer (or whatever it is you’re trying to become).

The ability to come up with ideas and successfully implement them is a valuable skill. It’s useful anywhere. If you’re an entrepreneur, an artist or creative, or simply someone looking to make a difference.

The process of turning ideas into reality holds immense potential.

And regardless of the type, it all starts with nurturing your individual creativity. Create an environment that fosters inspiration. I prefer the messy desk…

But, each person is different. This could involve surrounding yourself with people who have differing perspectives. Maybe you like sports, or engaging in stimulating activities – not just physical, but mental. The museum, or a show.

And of course, allocating time for solitude and reflection. Be curious and seek out new experiences. Fill your well, and you can fuel your imagination and generate a multitude of ideas.

If I’m being completely honest, I’ve read one book this year. Already it’s August. And I’ve only read one. Quention Tarantino’s Cinema Speculation. Now, I had every intent on reading more. The list of started books incude:

• In Cold Blood – Truman Capote
• A Moveable Feast – Ernest Hemingway
• The Art of Peace – Morihei Ueshiba
• Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio – Pu Songling
• The Way of Zen – Alan Watts
• Horror in the Cinema – Ivan Butler
• I Feel Love – Rachel Nuwer
• The Grand Hotel – Scott Kenemore
• Frame by Frame – Hannah Frank
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen R. Covey
• The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle – Stuart Turton

And likely a few others that I just can’t recall at this moment. I fully intend to complete all of these books. But getting there, well, that’s a challenge, isn’t it.

Of course, you make time for what’s important to you. And if reading is important to me, I’ll make time for it. Like I’ve made time for writing, and exercise, and speaking with friends and family, and a number of other things that I value.

So, sometime in the near future, I’ll have more updates on books and reading and the like. Just not today.