Sunday, December 11, 2011

Passion vs Practice

I read a quote once that read something like this. "Don't mistake passion for practice."

It's easy to be passionate about things: writing, losing weight, spending time with family, doing well at our jobs, etc. But it takes work to accomplish those things, sacrifice even. I've often said I wish I could just lose five pounds. Usually it's when I'm putting a piece of chocolate in my mouth. If we're not willing to put forth the effort then we will not have the results.

This weekend my son went to a basketball camp where the main coach said this. "You can be outstanding or you can be comfortable, but you can't be both."

Hard work is exactly that hard work. It's something I've been missing these past few months. I can't use the, I'm busy or I'm tired excuse anymore, because if I'm really passionate about writing then I'll find time.

My goal this week is to etch out some time to write. It may not be a lot, but even if it's for a couple of hours, it will be more than I did last week.

How about you? Any goals this week?

15 comments:

Felicity Grace Terry said...

A difficult time of year to be setting time aside, good luck with the writing.

Laura Pauling said...

I"m kind of stalled right now with Christmas almost coming but not wanting to start a new project. I guess I'll have to write my Christmas cards!

kah said...

Mu goals this week are xmas shopping and prepping for a big moving sale. Ugh. Hard work at its best.

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Hope you are swept up in tension, your characters and your building plot this week.

Hmm. I really need to work out.
~ Wendy

Susan R. Mills said...

I recently heard that same quote. It's so true. I'm trying hard to make time for my writing. My goal is to spend some time every single day, even if it's just a few minutes.

Shannon O'Donnell said...

"You can be outstanding or you can be comfortable, but you can't be both." I LOVE THAT!!! :-)

Southpaw said...

Such a good point.

Stina said...

Great post, Patti. You need passion to keep pushing yourself harder. Without it, it's too easy to quit. But passion isn't enough on its own.

My goal is to get some planning done on my new project despite all the holiday season stuff going on.

mshatch said...

cutting back on tv really helped me write more.

Anonymous said...

Wow. That was an incredible thing that basketball coach said. I should write that on my wall. Sometimes, it takes that kind of honesty to slap you in the face and get you back to work. I know I need it!

Peggy Eddleman said...

Oh how I love that quote from the coach! Love, love, love it!

ali cross said...

That's a fantastic quote! And I thoroughly, 100% believe it to be true. GREAT post Patti. Thank you!

Chantele Sedgwick said...

Love the quote, Patti. Really. I may have to hang it on my wall above my computer. ;)

Heidi Willis said...

You are one of the wisest people I know. And funny, too. :) I love that line about the chocolate!

Maybe this is most applicable to my fashion sense (or lack thereof). I want to be fashionable... but I want to be comfortable. I think, "I wish I looked more like those people who work at Vogue" as I'm pulling on my sweatshirt and tennis shoes. :)

Writing, on the other hand, I'm always willing to work on. Maybe too much. I do like that it doesn't require me to wear high heels for, though. :)

Misha Gerrick said...

My goal is to finish Christmas presents that I'm making for all of my female friends and family members. :-)

Writing wise, I'm sort of screwed because I lost three weeks of writing time.