My lack of mental discipline

Chapter 141

If we want more revelations—more insights or breakthroughs or new, big ideas—we have to create more room for them. Ryan Holiday

Not only is basic thinking affected by the constant bombardment of the neverending fight for our attention and focus, but more importantly, deep work, revelations and insights, best of all breakthroughs and new mental connections, (big thinking) are also lost through the noise. As I have stated previously, reading and breaking the processes are my superpowers, but the superpower I most diligently seek, is a focus so intense that no amount of noise or distraction can get through. I wish I could focus so intensely that the house could burn down around me!

Holiday gets it completely correct in that most people can’t have these things, even if they had the silence and quiet and focus needed, merely because they don’t have the mental space for them. They have so overclocked every moment of their lives, more and better don’t have a chance. They are so mentally and emotionally disorganized that their mental and emotional clutter takes all the room they possess.

This is not only an absence of mental clarity, or absence of thinking issue. It is also a stillness issue. A quietness of heart and mind and soul. A center of powerful confidence and rock solid mastery of me inside all three elements. I have so far yet to go. The most disappointing moments in my life, are when I fail to be calm and rational and at peace in my heart, mind and soul. When I find myself raging at some perceived loss or encroachment on my rights or disruption to my plans, I can see the full lack of my emotional discipline. This is mental clutter. It takes all available space, leaving no room for the amazing, innovative, important, change-the-world thoughts.