Like most people, we all want to be something, do something great. Some want to become astronauts, actors, YouTubers, fashion designers, models, scientists, psychologists. Some of us want a legacy, to leave something behind, to speak out to the world and say, "I was here." Like a tree trunk etched with one's initials from a lover's knife. As for me, I wanted to become a photographer, and for the past 10 years, I've been just that. Now, I want to become a writer. So, what does one do when they want to become something? They get educated. So, I've watched tutorials, online videos, read books on the subject, and even watched movies. To learn as much as I can, like Neo being plugged in, but I've failed before I've even begun.

Knowledge is power, but we have hit a wall regarding access to knowledge. It's accessible anywhere you have an internet connection, not to mention a public library card. The world and everything we know about it are almost free. In saying this, jobs that require gatekeeping knowledge will become a thing of the past. Where do we go from here when it comes to education then?

Procrastination, a common challenge that hinders productivity, shows up in three areas: Fear, Energy Levels, and Reward. Let's look closely at these things, figuring out the reasons that make it hard for us to get things done. Fear, an old part of our brains from way back, now makes it tough to do tasks in our everyday lives. When we talk about Energy Levels, which really affect procrastination, we highlight how taking care of ourselves with enough rest and good food is very important

Remember the comfort zone is a nice place to be, but nothing ever grows there. Doubt, fear, procrastination, excuses, are all doing a great job in keeping us there.

Why is it easier to research and study than it is to create, to make, and sometimes, I feel, to be? For the lucky few, creating comes naturally, you just do it, create, be, make, and do. For some of us, the creating is the hard part. But in truth, this is a lie, and I'll tell you why.

Embracing comfort has its allure, offering peace and tranquillity, but I've come to realise that true growth lies beyond the boundaries of contentment.

It's easy to settle into the familiar, to find solace in complacency, but in doing so, I've noticed a lack of progress, a stagnation in my personal journey. Yes, I am whole and healed, free from the clutches of stress and anxiety. Financially, I may not be thriving, and I often find myself running out of budget by the end of the month.

However, being merely "okay" is not enough. It's a state of stagnancy, a plateau where nothing evolves or transforms. Comfort, in essence, isn't ruining my life, but it has made me complacent.

It's time to acknowledge that staying within the confines of what's comfortable is hindering personal growth. So, if you resonate with this sentiment, let us explore ways to break free from the shackles of complacency and embark on a journey of self-improvement.

Individuals willing to confront the discomfort that cognitive dissonance introduces into one's life are a measure of one's character. This psychological phenomenon, involving the simultaneous existence of opposing ideas or reasons for a particular outcome, signifies an openness to different perspectives and the potential for intellectual growth.

So you've just finished work. On the commute home, you want to do something for yourself, your future—be it writing, art, a side-hustle, or the gym, whatever it may be. However, when you get home, you're overwhelmed with how tired you are. Your employer and customers have just drained you of all your energy and soul. Additionally, you have to cook dinner, clean the house, and do the laundry. There just isn't enough time and energy to get out of this hole you're in. So how does one do the extraordinary and conjure up the muse to help you execute when inspiration strikes? But your batteries are flat, and the only energy you can muster is for recovery. What is someone to do?

It's in the quiet; that's when the work gets done.
It's when you're quiet, alone, and have no distractions that you are truly yourself.
It's in the still moments that our minds become at ease.
That our thoughts start turning and speaking and making noise.
A lot of that noise is useless, distractions.
But after the noise has settled, the ideas and inspiration shine through.

What you're doing right now—is it a distraction or helping you achieve your desired outcome? We are immersed in a routine, habit, productivity, self-improvement economy. I can't emphasize this enough: you are not a Fortune 500 company; you do not have to improve every quarter! You do not have to please shareholders or a CEO regarding your growth, profit margins, or capital when it comes to you as an individual. You are a fuck'n human being. You are a person that needs a social life, relaxation, leisure, and recovery. You are not a machine; you are not a company; you don't have to grow or have higher outputs.

"But in order to possess and exploit something, you must first regard it as an object." - Jason Hickel

What do you do when you are tired, and the last thing you want to do is be productive?

Those moments when all you crave is some junk food and a chance to sit down, put your feet up, and doom-scroll for a bit. But at the same time, you want to take care of yourself, you know that that bag of chips, that glass of wine, and that app aren't good for you. At the same time in these moments, the thought of reading or having a meaningful conversation seems energy-draining. What does one do in such situations? I would suggest going for a walk and embracing the potential boredom that might set in.

Now, you might wonder, why on earth would you choose to do that?

I'm not too sure what we should call it; some say it's magic, others manifestations, a majority call it quantum physics, and a decent amount might call it God.

One thing I know for sure is that you are what you think. I mean right down to your very core, your logos. The part of you that isn't lying, that isn't putting on a façade, your subconscious, the real primitive you. You have the power; you always did and still do.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein.

I believe that mindset is everything, beyond the physical. Your mind is who you are; it's everything you are, have been, and will be. The saddening reality is that very few of us use it to its full potential.

Why is it that whenever we are bored, we'd rather release dopamine into our brains from a mindless action than serotonin from exercise?

The more I learn about passion and finding one's purpose to give meaning to our lives, the more I realize it is a fallacy.

Finding your passion, your purpose, and doing what you love, and enjoying what you are doing to pass the time, are the exact same thing. It's just worded differently, and because of that, it's far easier to obtain.

In moments of reflection, this question consistently occupies my thoughts. Is this it? What else can I do? My mind swirls with possibilities, from writing that book to posting that video. Yet, lingering doubts always surface. Who is watching? Does anyone even care about my words, videos, or photos?

These questions, laced with self-doubt, are not the ones that lead to fulfillment; rather, they foster pessimism. Instead, we should ask ourselves: What would I do if I didn't care what happened?

So you want to start something; you want to get good, learn new skills, find out what equipment is required, and what knowledge is essential to start. So, you start consuming—you start watching tutorials, videos, listening to experts in the field. You start following guides. And after a while, you realise, this isn't working; you're doing all the things by the book, and nothing is sticking. Let me tell you why it's not working, why everything you're doing isn't going to plan like the experts promised.

When it comes to success, money, love, you name it, the only measure we have is from what we had to what we have. And the bigger the gap we close, the better it feels for us. The more meaningful that jump is.

Someone having $100 a month in their bank account and suddenly accumulating $5,000 dollars a month feels amazing. They are on top of the world, struggling to eat and pay rent. Too all of a sudden…

There I was, young and confused, wondering why am I here, why me, what is wrong with me. I could do everything that the other kids could do – run, jump, laugh, cry. But somehow, for some reason, reading was a challenge. I found myself filled with shame, doubt, and a little fear because I realized I wasn't the same as everyone else. I was falling behind, struggling to keep up, to understand, and to do well in class. It was 1998, and I was diagnosed with a learning disability.

The more I reflect on the year, the more I find myself not leaving but focusing less and less on photography. I seem to be pulled towards writing, which puzzles me. Have you ever had a passion that consumed your life, like that is all you have thought about and done, to suddenly realize I think I'm in a new chapter of my life?

Want to get good fast, want to get stuff done and put it out there? To no longer worry and get going, then get good. Live by this rule:

1. Fast
2. Bad
3. Wrong

Now, this might sound counterintuitive, but I want you to realise that the less you aim for perfection or getting something right the first time round, the quicker you will advance at the task at hand. Sounds counterintuitive, right? Making something quickly, badly, with low quality and in all the wrong ways will help you get better at the thing? Yea right! The answer is yes, and let me tell you why.

Black and white photography offers a unique learning experience, helping photographers to eliminate distractions and focus on the essential element of their craft: light. This monochromatic approach teaches valuable lessons that are fundamental for anyone starting out in photography.

One of the key benefits of black and white photography is its ability to strip away colours. A little obvious, I know, but it reveals the importance of good lighting. Without vibrant hues to distract the eye, photographs can easily fall flat, lacking contrast and depth. This underscores the foundational role of lighting, a crucial aspect that beginners often overlook. In colour photography, it's easy to hide behind visually striking elements, but in black and white, the knowledge of lighting becomes apparent.