Time passes whether you act or not. A month can dissolve into intention, or it can leave evidence behind. The difference is proof — something real, finished, measurable, however small.
I feel as though I have tons of potential, people have told me I am smart and intelligent whada whada whada. That's all nice to hear but when I actually start studying and I struggle to grasp concepts, I don't feel all that intelligent.
However that's when actual knowledge and skills are born.
Yes to this!!! 🙌🏼 Especially if things initially come easily to you- it’s not always just mental masturbation, sometimes you even start, you may even gain some traction and then, you move on. It tickles the ego even more to say “yes, I had tried this, got pretty good at it actually (Dunning-Kruger effect), but then got bored of it, you know, the insatiably curious, talented person that I am, so I moved on to the next thing”.
Whereas in reality, starting is actually easy, dealing with the first challenges, push back and simply needing to step up and be persistent and consistent is where you prove whether you are actually ready or scared sh**less of being exposed.
- Potential preserves pride because it has not yet been tested. Once you act, the illusion disappears. The work exposes gaps. The result may fall short. Effort replaces fantasy.
And it preserves the identity you know. Many times, people connect their sense of self to the work they do or what people know them for. So, the risk of trying something different and failing can feel like an existential threat. It's because of not knowing who you are outside of what you do.
I was reading this, and I could totally relate to it. It is so delicious to imagine a bright future, to imagine yourself living your best life, crushing your goals . . . But putting in the work? That's a nasty piece of business.
Well put, I can relate to this.
I feel as though I have tons of potential, people have told me I am smart and intelligent whada whada whada. That's all nice to hear but when I actually start studying and I struggle to grasp concepts, I don't feel all that intelligent.
However that's when actual knowledge and skills are born.
Very relatable easy to read too
Yes to this!!! 🙌🏼 Especially if things initially come easily to you- it’s not always just mental masturbation, sometimes you even start, you may even gain some traction and then, you move on. It tickles the ego even more to say “yes, I had tried this, got pretty good at it actually (Dunning-Kruger effect), but then got bored of it, you know, the insatiably curious, talented person that I am, so I moved on to the next thing”.
Whereas in reality, starting is actually easy, dealing with the first challenges, push back and simply needing to step up and be persistent and consistent is where you prove whether you are actually ready or scared sh**less of being exposed.
- Potential preserves pride because it has not yet been tested. Once you act, the illusion disappears. The work exposes gaps. The result may fall short. Effort replaces fantasy.
And it preserves the identity you know. Many times, people connect their sense of self to the work they do or what people know them for. So, the risk of trying something different and failing can feel like an existential threat. It's because of not knowing who you are outside of what you do.
I found this at the right time, discipline is indeed rare.
I was reading this, and I could totally relate to it. It is so delicious to imagine a bright future, to imagine yourself living your best life, crushing your goals . . . But putting in the work? That's a nasty piece of business.
'Potential is common, discipline is rare'
Relatable!!!
Very well articulated. Something I needed today.