Sterling Terrell

smart ideas from books

The Awful Truth Of Consistent Work

The Awful Truth Of Consistent Work

The awful truth of consistent work is this:

Consistent work, over a large period of time, is the only way to improve at something – and the only way to build something worthwhile.

This is, of course, what no 21 year old wants to hear.

Heck, nobody wants to hear this: “Work at this for 10 years and see.”

But I have to remind myself of this nearly once a week. Be patient.

I hope my children grasp this truth early.

Understand: Mastery takes time.

Anytime you start heaping shame and despair on yourself, step back and remember that you are still learning. Yes, you’re not where you want to be, but you are on your way. After you’ve put in ten years of consistent work, you can reevaluate if you really do suck at it.

-Tim Grahl, Running Down A Dream

Expressing What Is Inside

Expressing What Is Inside

I think that line, Expressing What Is Inside is as clear a definition of “Art” as I have heard.

I mean, that’s all we are really doing, isn’t it?

Maybe this is why art beat Hitler. What was inside was garbage.

I realized in that moment with Scott that I spent most of my time being envious of other people’s callings. I kept thinking if I could just mimic what other successful people were doing, I could also mimic their success. I never thought about the possibility that their success was rooted in merely expressing what was inside of themselves all along. I believed what was inside of me was broken and untrustworthy. They didn’t. Pretty interesting.

-Tim Grahl, Running Down A Dream