It’s probably a coincidence that writer/blogger Eric Barker’s “Birthday thoughts” post came at the beginning of the first week of a new phase of my life, but maybe it’s not. I mean, I don’t particularly subscribe to synchronicity, but I do find it odd when I find something online that perfectly jibes with my life at that point. Barker reveals:
You know what happens when you do something every day for two hours? In 13 years you’re a Malcolm Gladwell “Outliers” genius at it. 13 years might seem like a long time looking forward, but try looking back. 13 years ago? Maybe not as long. Feels like I started this blog yesterday.
Let me get to the big point here: You are what you do all day.
What does all this research about your body adapting to circumstances tell us? You are what you do all day.
What does all this research about brain plasticity and rewiring tell us? You are what you do all day.
That probably scares the shit out of a lot of people. And it should.
What did you do today? Is that what you want to be a genius at in 13 years? Is that what you want to become?
Wednesday will be my last day at the only job I’ve had since I left college over 5 years ago. I don’t have another job lined up, but I have some plans. I’m working on a screenplay with a friend out in LA. I’m finishing up grad school and studying in Bologna this summer. I’m writing a piece on U.S. Public Diplomacy and our relationship with Haiti, and hope to visit and help out our much maligned Caribbean neighbor.
But through everything I am going to be writing. Because, to answer Eric’s questions, what I did today was write. What I want to be a genius at in 13 years is writing. And, yes, what I want to become is a writer.
