When it comes to accomplishing dreams or goals that are important, it seems to consistently come back to this one simple truth: You have to do the work. You have to start. You have to study, write, train — i.e. show up and do the work. It’s not glamorous, but if there’s such a thing, it must be a foundation of success. And when I’m stuck, or procrastinating, it usually requires going back to basics, write one word, one sentence.
You’d think that with the consistency with which I constantly relearn that tidbit of truth, it would not be a recurring revelation, but in the few areas where I was able to enjoy a moment of celebration (a good showing at a film festival, a nice note regarding the book, hitting a marathon goal, graduating medical school, a well done theater performance), the one thing they all had in common was a lot of work proceeding that joyful fleeting moment… then it was back to writing, training, etc. Without the hard work, I don’t think we earn the enjoyment, much like the St. Exupery’s Little Prince realizing he loves the rose because of all the pain in the ass work he put into caring for it! (At least that’s my interpretation/translation).