The 3 reasons for creative people like you to be boring
Getting unstuck, going after our goals, being ready when that big opportunity strikes, and then ultimately…your success: For all of this to fall into place, you have to develop and cultivate the skill of being boring.
For me, being boring comes naturally.
To be a successful bore, you must also be patient. That does not come naturally for me.
But, being boring and being patient are the singular, direct paths to achieving our goals and artistic fulfillment — and being ready when that opportunity strikes.
How to become a bore:
Only work on 1 - 2 projects at a time.
With each project, start at the very beginning, and only do one boring step at a time.
National Basketball superstars Larry Byrd and Magic Johnson would shoot 600 - 800 jumps shots a day. Now, they are the most respected players of their sport when it comes to shooting, passing, and scoring.
You play boring scales and other mundane exercises everyday for minutes…hours.
How to become boring
Do one thing at a time, starting out with the most important, boring step.
After completing that step, what is the next most important, boring step?
Go there, and stay there until it’s done.
After completing that step, what is the next most important boring step?
After completing that step, what is the next most important boring step?
Repeat steps 1 and 2 until you’re done. Does this sound too simple to be true?
Does this sound too simple to be true?
As Seth Godin* writes,
“The system is boring.
That's precisely why it works.
It doesn't promise overnight success or viral fame.
It's just there, doing its work. Day after day.
Because greatness isn't built on moments of inspiration.
It's built on moments of discipline.
On doing the unsexy work when no one's watching.”
*https://seths.blog/
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Don’t be sexy.
Be boring.
This is you…moving very slowly, one slow and boring step at a time.