#050 Not This Week
Common Discourse is a project designed to help others (and ourselves) think through creativity, focus, and intentional work—from Alex Tan & Alice Otieno.
Every Tuesday we share words from a journal, a few ideas, a quote from somebody else, and links worth sharing. On Fridays we invite a guest to share images from their camera roll and a sound that resonates with them.
This week was busy. MW.S Team Retreat in Big Bear, Mackenzie and I’s apartment is a total wreck, and we’re sprinting toward a photo and video production early next week.
We still haven’t missed a briefing in 2022 yet. In the past I would have probably let this one slip on by. Then next week the same thing happens. And again the following week. Then before you know it, this project is on pause for a month and you find it hard to get back into it.
I woke up this morning and decided that wasn’t going to happen this week.
Our choices compound and habits will form, for better or for worse. Every week will bring its own challenges, but you always have a choice to either show up or sit down.
This might not be the most remarkable piece of writing, but at least we’re here.
— Alex
A few ideas
I. STARTING FROM EXPERIENCE
People often find themselves scared to start over because we’re led to believe that everything we’ve done so far will become a waste. ‘Starting from scratch’ is not real. We’re always starting from experience.
II. DISCIPLINE & MOTIVATION
The difference between discipline and motivation is what is revealed to us over time. Motivation fades while discipline grows. Motivation starts a project but discipline finishes it. Motivation needs an event to come alive while discipline is present day in and day out.
III. ONE SMALL WIN
Start your days with one small win.
Making your bed, going on a walk, or drinking a glass of water are all small accomplishments that can build up confidence in our ability to tackle larger & more difficult problems.
A few small wins early, then momentum follows. Making the first step is sometimes the simplest, and most impactful action we can take.
A quote from somebody else
“pausing to muse and be bemused by the passerby as I take this Tuesday as an early supper happy hour type solo outing and bench writing session”
— this Tues, by Sherrye
Links worth sharing
🔭 KALEIDOSCOPE Research Unit has developed a new IG series dedicated to short-form cultural criticism.
🤖 The AI Revolution: The Road to Superintelligence, Wait But Why
📱 Have iPhone Cameras Become Too Smart? Apple’s newest smartphone models use machine learning to make every image look professionally taken. That doesn’t mean the photos are good.
Thanks for consuming!
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