1..2…3…4……9….76…345…978...Phew. One more push and I will be done for today. 2000…Yes…. I did it! One more step to my goal of building a fit muscular bod.
The Struggle With Fat Burning
I wouldn't be surprised if the first thought that came to your mind on reading the first sentence was what kind of body exercise I was working on.
With the current craze for fitness goals, it’s easy to think that any physical push is directly related to hitting the gym, burning out those fats and building those much-needed muscles. (#fitfam, anyone?)
However, on a deeper note, there are muscles that really need more working out from us than our muscular system – our mind and brain.
By the way, I’m not rubbishing the enormous amounts of efforts, time and money people expend on being physically fit. I’m currently struggling with the slow accumulation of fat and laxity of my muscles.
Being a freelancer and determining one’s schedule certainly has its own demerits. Perched on a chair staring at the laptop all day is a sure way to accumulate those unhealthy fats.
That’s why I’ve been taking some timeouts recently to hit the gym and get my college bod back. ;)
War Of Art
One of my best books ever is Steve Pressfield’s The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles, an insightful book on the struggles creative face in shipping works that matter. And also how to fight those “brainy fatty demons”.
A play on the title of the classical and very famous Art of War by Sun Tzu, Steve’s book is a must read for everyone. For those who haven’t checked the book, here are some amazing quotes that will push you to burn those fats:
“The most important thing about art is to work. Nothing else matters except sitting down every day and trying.”
“Fear doesn't go away. The warrior and the artist live by the same code of necessity, which dictates that the battle must be fought anew every day.”
“The professional has learned that success, like happiness, comes as a by-product of work. The professional concentrates on the work and allows rewards to come or not come, whatever they like.”
Gaining Weight is Easy. Building Muscles is Hard
Everyone know this is super true :) Just a couple of munchies, pizzas and drinks and you can feel those rolls of fat slowly building up. You remember the hours spent on previously burning the former ones and you roll your eyes. Hours filled with pain, sweat and sometimes blood.
At that point, you've got 2 options: Hit the ground running, reduce/cut those sugary yummies and keep fit OR turn a blind eye, revel in the high level you are on the satisfaction curve and make friends with the couch.
The true creative who is concerned with shipping out life-changing stuff embraces the struggle, braces herself, burn those brainy fats and keep building those creative muscles.
A Sure Way To Build Creative Muscle - Being An Idea Machine
Trapeze, Parkour, Yoga….. There are hundreds of exercise touted by ‘experts’ as fast ways to burn fats and build muscles. However, there some very common and highly effective ones like ab crunches, cycling, and weightlifting.
This situation also applies to the art of building one’s creative muscle. A quick google search and you will find hundreds of strategies and systems by ‘acclaimed’ productivity/creativity experts on how to be hone one’s creativity.
Personally, (and for thousands of other avid readers I know) James Altucher’s Guide on being an Idea Machine is an amazing way to build one’s creative muscle.
10 ideas a day:
Here’s a brief summary:
How Does This Whole Analogy Affect Me?
For many who have read my (few) personal posts, you will recognize my constant struggle with gaining perfection in two skills I love so much: Writing and Coding
Coding is hard
It’s easy to see so much fanfare around coding and conclude that coding must be very easy. But in reality, coding is very hard.
Personally, as an Infovore, I've gone through several “learn how to code’ platforms and course – freeCodeCamp, Coursera, Udacity, EdX. All in a bid to get the best form of material to coast through a learning point. Some stages I breeze through. Some stages I spend more normal time on it.
Here’s a favorite picture of mine that beautifully illustrates my struggle:
I’m slowly plowing my way through the desert and the ocean of abundance is near.
Writing
We all are writers. All it takes is to string a couple of letters into meaningful words and we’re done. But to get to that stage when your writing makes a difference takes consistent burning of brainy fats and building the creative muscles.
I have literally gone through tons of articles, books, and courses created to help aspiring writers grow their art. And this is the best advice I’ve come across:
Following Through and SteemMag
It’s no doubt that Steemit has greatly helped tens of writers rediscover their love for writing. A great incentive is it.
One of my favorite projects on Steemit is that of @surfermarly’s The Everyday project. It’s so nice seeing people publicly hold themselves to account. I look forward to having her on SteemMag soon.
SteemMag
One of the several reasons why my personal posts are few is the fact that I want finding previous editions of SteemMag easy. I created @steemmag a while ago but I lost the keys to it unfortunately due to a mishap.
Just created @steem-mag and hopefully, it’s gonna be hosting consequent editions of SteemMag.
The fats have been slowly accumulating for too long. It’s time to build those muscles. Again. For good.
……..Parting Note
Remember when your physical muscles hurt and you tell yourself, just one push and you will gain that physical body you desire.
The same principle applies to building your creative muscle. You can literally feel your brain screaming at the stress you are putting it through. Keep on. Push. Make The Brain Sweat. And someday, one day, you will get that sharp creative muscle.
Small incremental gains.
Worthy things take time and effort to blossom. Hang on
…….( A Note To Myself)
A Parting gift:
Over to you…..Would love to hear from you…
What’s one creative habit you’re struggling with and trying to build?