“The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.” – Chris Williamson
Always Searching for More
I sometimes wonder why we always seem to want more. More money, more followers, more time.
Our refrigerator is full of food, yet we order takeout. Our closets are overflowing with clothes, yet we buy the newest trends. We spend more time thinking about how to improve our lives by looking elsewhere, instead of focusing on where we are at and actually making changes.
Do we simply get bored of what we already have or are we wired to constantly chase what’s new?
Procrastination Might Not Be What We Think
I think procrastination works in much the same way. Instead of focusing on what we need to do, we spend our time and efforts on other unrelated tasks. We reorganize our desk instead of sitting down to study. We buy more books from our TBR (To Be Read) list than read what’s been left unread on our bookshelf. We are drawn to novelty.
Novelty vs. Progress
Of course novelty is rewarding and at times can open the door to new ideas and identities. On the other hand, progress can feel repetitive. We end up working on the same paper for weeks which can feel taxing. The issue is that the life we usually want requires remaining consistent with our actions. It requires that we stay focused on our goals before starting new things all the time.
Stop Avoiding What You Need to Do
The great news is that once you start accomplishing some of your goals, you’ll have more space to do other things that you want to do. But in order to get there, you have to stop avoiding what you need to do and give your full attention to what’s already in front of you.
Maybe the magic isn’t in finding a better plan, a better opportunity, or a better time. Maybe it’s in finally doing the work you’ve been avoiding.
