The right tool for the job
The world isn’t all nails
‘Finally a chance to write out a bunch of articles and get ahead on my creative work’
I thought to myself as I cracked open my laptop with almost 4 hours of time in the air. I had prompts ready to go, titles and themes to bang out, and the beautiful stream of consciousness that comes when you’re in an airplane 30,000 ft in the air.
But I quickly realized my dream was more nightmare. I’m currently hunched between a broad shouldered gentleman on one side and another larger in the stomach gentleman in front who’s reclined his seat. I tried to start typing but it was so uncomfortable I closed the computer 1 minute after opening it. Too uncomfortable and cramped to even try.
A previous version of me would have thrown in the towel on writing anything. I’d have ‘rationalized it’ this way.
“My writing is deep, intellectual, important. It demands the same form that I’ve used for two decades to craft essays, articles, books, and all my coaching content as a creator on the internet.”
CRINGE.
I’d become a slave to the tool.
Funny enough, I see the same limits in fitness.
Athletes are artists afterall
When it comes to creativity and sports alike there are so many equipment options it boggles the mind.
Just search the internet for ‘fitness equipment’ and you’ll see exactly what I mean.
There’s thousands of options, all claiming to be the ‘solution’ to whatever problem you’re currently experiencing. Add in all the different gym types, sports clubs, and social meet up options and it’s overwhelming for even the most experienced fitness expert.
It’s the same for creativity.
Want to write? There’s a thousand different journals, online apps, writing courses, and ‘how to start’ guides your head will spin out of control.
Now multiply that if you want to learn an instrument, take up photography, or dive into any creative process.
In sport and art too often we make the mistake of thinking the tool will solve the problem. But in reality it’s our creativity and being open to trying new things that determine our consistency and ultimately our success.
Imagination is your key to success
I struggled for years to find a consistent exercise routine I could stick to. I was limited by the tools.
Go to the gym
Lift weights
Run on roads
Standard exercises
None of it worked for me
After many false starts I wondered if I was the problem. I grew up playing sports at a high level but never transitioned into consistent exercise after two devastating leg injuries derailed my athletic career.
Then I tried trail running! BOOM it all clicked for me. I just needed a new tool for the job.
I was limited by what I thought were my limited options.
Man, isn’t that the truth with creativity. I hear it all the time ‘I’m just not creative’ from so many people.
‘I could never be an artist?’
Back up bro, you’re just limiting yourself based on what you think you need to be considered ‘creative’
Think of it this way
“Art is the deliberate acquisition of skill for its own sake”
I hope your imagination is running wild now.
There’s a million ways to be creative, artistic, and to pour out passion into the world (hint sports are definitely one of these areas)
I heard the same thing as a historian
“I find history boring!”
To which I’d always reply
“Don’t lie to me, there’s a history of something YOU find fascinating”
Every time the person would light up and instantly tell me what it was.
Your turn to apply
If you’ve struggled in fitness I bet it’s because you’re using the wrong tool.
You’re limiting yourself by thinking it’s gotta be a certain way.
You’re holding a hammer so everything looks like a nail.
So instead change the tool, aim to fix a different problem, your lack of interest and the amount of fun you’re having.
I was hooked on trail running instantly not because I was good at it but because I was comically bad! After less than 2km of running way too hard I had to stop and catch my breath for 5 minutes, but I saw how I could improve and I hadn’t had that much fun moving my body since playing sports with my friends.
Imagination is your secret weapon if consistency is eluding you
Trust me, I wrote this whole article on my thumbs because I still have no space on this airplane 😎