This is the first of a series I’m starting on quote reflections.
When I was young I began my fascination with quotes, probably because of how hopeful they were, and even created a quote wall in my bedroom.
As I have matured, so has my relationship with quotes. Now, I don’t just look to the quotes for hope, I look to them for inspiration.
Most people read a quote and think, “oh that was nice,” and move along with their days. I used to do that too. The issue with that approach is that it overlooks the fact that quotes are years of experiential wisdom encapsulated in a phrase.
“If you have a 10-year plan of how to get [somewhere], you should ask: Why can’t you do this in 6 months?”
“What might you do to accomplish your 10-year goals in the next 6 months if you had a gun to your head?”
Tim Ferris – Tools of Titans
The first question is thought-provoking, but the second question is like a slap-in-the-face.
If you had a gun pointed to your head, all of those “ehh I’ll do this tomorrow” excuses would melt away – like butter.
If someone threatened your life, likely, you’d “innovate out of every problem,” and you wouldn’t think twice.
The point with these two questions is to spur creativity.
Sometimes we like to take scenic routes – walking and picking flowers along the way. Other times we decide to strap ourselves into a rollercoaster and pray we have the stomach for the ride ahead.
I think that’s what these quotes challenge you to do – choose the rollercoaster more often than you might instinctively. Recognize that though the journey is hectic, you get to the other side much more quickly than if you were to take the scenic route.
Not to mention, there are still scenes to enjoy on a rollercoaster. Think about the view from the top.
Where do I want to be in 10years and how would I, theoretically, do it in 6months?
In 10years, I want to have started my companies. I want to understand the ins-and-outs of general business, be a fantastic writer, and have done something great for my community.
If I wanted to learn business faster, I’d do exactly what I’ve done – start a podcast. Then, I would attend events, make sure I’m active in the communities I want to be a part of, and LISTEN.
Listening is the biggest thing I can do right now. I need to live and breathe this work so it becomes instinctual, like a habit or second nature.
If I wanted to learn to write better, I’d begin by writing everyday, and then I’d add in a process for editing and polishing my work.
I’d also read other peoples’ great writing — I would highly recommend On Writing Well by Zinnser. On my In Bloom Podcast, Hannah Frankman recommended that I read great writing and then rewrite it, simplified as practice.
Lastly, doing something for my community.
I am adamant that if you want to be a certain type of person later on in life, you have to begin being that person right now. You don’t wake up and change. It’s a process. Following this thought process, I need to get involved in my community right now.
I had an idea for a project I called “Project Lifebook,” and think it would be really cool to execute on. (I’ll let that idea simmer for a bit, though)
My main takeaway is that a 10-year plan takes 10-years because often it’s a passive process.
Everyone begins by answering the same question, “What do you want?” Then, each person is faced with a second question, “How will you get there?”
Some people choose the 10-year plan because it’s predictable. Other people choose the 6-months because they’re open to the potential risk.