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Writers block
A poet’s function…is not to experience the poetic state: that is a private affair. His function is to create it in others.
Edgar Degas was a french artist best known for his work in paintings, sculptures, drawings and printmaking.
Though despite being a total success and an important figure in the Impressionist Movement due to his depictions of dancers, he dabbled for a while in poetry believing his artistic skills would translate to his writing.
As the brilliant and creative mind that he was and as much beauty as he was able to see, he couldn’t find the inspiration nor the words to kick off his poetry career.
Why was someone like Edgar Degas, a highly skilled and creative individual unable to write poetry despite having all the skills required for it?
There is one famous conversation that might shed some light in this predicament:
One day, Degas was complaining to his friend, the poet Stephane Mallarme, and explaining his contempt with his poetry or rather his attempt of it.
“I can’t manage to say what I want, and yet I’m full of ideas.”
Mallarme’s response was as simple as it was blunt:
“It’s not with ideas my dear Degas, that one makes verse. It’s with words.”
Or rather, with work.
Work for the sake of it
You can’t build a reputation on what you’re going to do.
As American author Ryan Holiday puts it:
“The distinction between a professional and a dilettante occurs right there - where you accept that having an idea is not enough; That you must work until are able to recreate your experience effectively in words on page:”.
In the modern, noxious, bullshit world we live in, we’ve erroneously rewarded ideas more than the work behind them.
We admire those who have accomplished something, disregarding the effort that came before it.
We want to live in a world of immediate satisfaction where everything comes for free while knowingly rearely something does.
Hence why lose fat quickly schemes are still among the most sought out markets, just below the get rich quick ones.
We want to avoid work as much as possible thinking work can be avoided, when in reality it’s the only constant we’ll ever find.
Yet, when you ask people, 100% of them calimi to acknowledge that work is required for anything in this world.
But do they really get it?
Do they understand how much work there is to be made?
For how long?
It’s not about working for a big break, or for the sudden burst of fame, but working and working and working, forever and ever.
Is it ten thousands hours for mastery?
Twenty?
Thirty?
The only real answer is that it doesn’t matter. There is no end zone.
To think there is a specific number is to live in a conditional future.
To get where we want to go isn’t about brilliance, but continual effort. While that’s not a terribly sexy idea, it should be an encouraging one. Because it means it’s all within reach - for all of us, provided we have the constitution and humbleness to be patient and the fortitude to put in the work.
Fall in love with the process
When you are not practicing, remember, someone somewhere is practicing, and when you meet him he will win.
If not for the goal, then for the process?
One of the most remarkable skills athletes have developed is the ability to love the process, even more than the goal itself.
It would be great for any of us if we could simply get into the court and play the best match of our lives or stand in front of an empty canvas and let creativity flow into a modern masterpiece, but reality doesn’t work like that.
Loving the process, the practice of it, it’s by far the most valuable skill we could ever develop.
In other words: Mastering how to delay gratification.
Teaching ourselves that work always comes first and the innevitablity of work as a predecesor of success is essential to flourish in life.
Think about Bill Clinton who collected cards with as much information on them for every person he knew.
Why?
Because he was sure that whenever he would get into politics, which he eventually did, he’ll need them for something.
By the time he got to the Oval Office (thanks to the people on those cards), it’s said that he had over ten thousand of them for him to use.
Or think about Darwin, working tirelessly in his theory of evolution.
No one told him “It’s enough Charles, you should take a break. It doesn’t matter if it takes too long, it’ll all be worth it.”
Because they didn’t knew about the effect his work would have, and nor did he.
All he knew is that it had to be better and he would not rest until he was proud of the final product.
Fac, si facis
Do it if you’re going to do it
There is another old expression: You know a workman by the chips they leave. It’s true. To judge progress properly, just take a look at the floor.
Art is never finished, only abandoned.
Learn to love work, and it’ll certainly reward you.
Don´t work for something, work for the sake of it.
There is no mastering anything without trying first.
The only limiting factor then remains our ego.
The one that yells behind our year saying:
“We don’t need work. We already have what it takes”
When in reality, no one does…