Kay:
Hey there Questers, and welcome back! It’s Tuesday, August 25th and this is Episode 167. Today, we have a James Clear quote for you. And, just a reminder, he is the bestselling author of the book, Atomic Habits.
Shi:
He says, “It’s only by making the fundamentals of life easier that you can create the mental space needed for free thinking and creativity.”
Kay:
One of the ways that we have heard this quote explained before is in three simple words, and that is that discipline equals freedom.
Shi:
I feel like I remember Jocko’s voice saying that.
Kay & Shi:
*(Laughter)*
Kay:
Jocko’s a Navy SEAL author of the fantastic book, Extreme Ownership. But, this principle, be it out of Extreme Ownership or from the Atomic Habit author himself, James Clear, makes it clear to us that discipline is really important for creativity.
Shi:
Well, discipline gives you that structure to your life which helps you build that mental space and that physical space to have the freedom to do what it is that you want – to create and to have – but you gotta get through those fundamentals first! It’s like when you study at school, you’ve got to take all those lower level classes of biology, and English, and math, and everything else to get to the specific classes of your true heart’s desire. I mean, hopefully you’re going to school to explore something that you really love to do, but you have to put in the work on those fundamentals first, and build the foundation, so that you can be a free thinker and get to those better and more advanced subjects!
Kay:
In an artistic sense, what is coming to me here is kind of the difference between the cave painter and the muralist and the, “we create art with building and stone,” to the canvas painter. In that, it really took the discipline of somebody taking what was leather at one point and stretching it, and bleaching it, and getting it just right, and then creating the frame, and making the frame just right, and getting the canvas over the frame. And, it wasn’t until all of those disciplinary functions and fundamentals were done that a painter could get on there and start brushing colors together and have the freedom and the space to be creative! But, first, they really needed to have this organized, fundamental thing at the bottom…You couldn’t do that mixing of colors on the side of a cave wall – it took the fundamentals in order to create creativity!
Shi:
Well, isn’t this a history of humanity, right? Like, we had to build structure around the fundamentals first. And, then, society progressed forward and – as we put in more and more structure around our fundamentals – the more space we have to live more advanced lives, to make more inventions, to progress as a society that stands for ideals, and not just survival… But, that’s only happened through this evolution of society and of humanity that really builds that structure around fundamentals so that we have the space to be more creative and free!
Kay:
LOVE the macro view in that sense! And, let’s take it down to the micro and just talk about how – let’s say you are not very disciplined on your fundamentals of fitness or an eating habit – (I know that I’m really guilty of “going off the wagon”, if you will, and eating junk food). And then, the very next day, not being able to think as clearly or not feeling very well. Which leaves you unable to wake up early or whatever that is! Without that disciplinary fundamental in place, you don’t even have the room for free thinking and creativity because your mind is literally blocked by food, gunk, and junk, or guilt that you are holding onto!
Shi:
Yeah! And, when we do that to ourselves – when we don’t allow for that space to create – (which is the thing that makes your spirit sing, and makes your heart happy, and is what truly that spiritual soulful side of you is here to do) – when we don’t take care of those fundamentals, (whether it’s emotionally or physically), then that spirit can’t really flourish, in a way. And then, we end up not feeling fulfilled and we try to fill that with stuff or with significance – chasing after the likes on Facebook and such, and we all fall into that. But, by coming back to asking: How can I better support my fundamentals so that I’m set up for success and freedom and the ability to create? That can help us really look towards how it is that we unleash that spirit inside, or express in my most creative way! So, just to remind you, your quote today came from James Clear, who says, “It’s only by making the fundamentals of life easier that you can create the mental space needed for free thinking and creativity.”
Kay:
So, you probably guessed it…today’s quest is a discipline quest! It’s an easy one gang, but one of the best disciplines that you can put in place, and a fundamental that can really make a difference for you! So, if you haven’t already, go make your bed. It’s really good to begin your day with a task that you can check off…It makes you feel like you’re more disciplined, and sets you up for more organized thinking throughout your day! Are you ready?
Kay & Shi:
Let’s quest!
