Nulla dies sine linea is Latin for “No day without a line.” It’s a phrase that over the centuries has inspired countless painters and writers to practice their craft every day. The idea resonates with me because I’ve never been achievement oriented, but I do love learning new things and developing skills. I’m more interested in practicing, practicing, practicing than I am in reaching goals. A lot of people think that’s a dull way to live—people like me tend to be called nerds or geeks—but it enriches my life. What do you think?
No, I prefer to reach the goals. To my mind, the practising is just a tedious necessity which is seldom enjoyable.
Nick,
A lot of people feel the way you do. I’m the weird one!
i’m with you monk. i am not a goal person. never was.
nor will be. and yet everything seems to get done!
just still the raindrop on the leaf. but a happy one.
“What do you think?” I think you are a delightful nerdy geek. Remember when “nerd” was a put-down label. Then came Steve Jobs & Bill Gates. But they were goal oriented nerds. How ’bout Socrates?
P.S I forgot Mark Zuckerberg. He’s a nerdy geek. (goal oriented)
I think it makes sense to enjoy what you do (the process, the actual doing).
Delaying gratification is overrated. Current gratification beats it hands down I think.
I’m not so much for practicing as I am for doing whatever it is that I enjoy working on – and learning as I go. I’m usually a fast learner, but if it takes practice, I’m likely to be in trouble.
Currently working with new blogging framework to build static pages. Example: http://hawcreekoutdoors.com/destinations/the-yellowstone/
tammy,
It sounds like you too enjoy the process. 🙂
bikehikebabe,
Thanks! I love being a nerd. Actually Socrates was one of the wise old men I hung out with when I was a teen. 🙂
Evan,
I agree! For me the secret of happiness is to ask myself every day:
I spend a lot of time figuring out that last one.
Mike,
I combine my practicing with learning new things and working on projects that interest me. It’s not at all boring. I do my best to avoid working on things that don’t interest me or else to figure out a way to enjoy it.
Wow Monk, nice one! I may have to borrow your ‘secret of happiness’ life questions. I can always use a new infusion of dwelling points.
Every morning I awake and write something. I may not ever use the results as a post, but it is good practice for my enjoyment of writing.
Also I practice keeping my expectation level low and my acceptance level high; it gives me a great sense of peace.
Hope you have a good geek week!
I have/had goals – but because I have health issues – they don’t always get *done
*on time; at all; delays and delayed; changed for xyz reason; or keep falling to bottom of **To Do List
** don’t have one if at all possible…
“No day without a line.” For a piano player, it’s “Butt on the bench.” I love the practice, but it wouldn’t chap my hide if I ever completed something.
Dixie,
I agree with your “I practice keeping my expectation level low and my acceptance level high….” One of my favorite sayings is, “Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly.” That isn’t a license to be sloppy, it’s just an invitation to get our egos out of the way and honor the work.
Cathy,
I don’t do well with goals either. I become overly motivated and get annoyed by interruptions, by life intruding. I do much better having a general direction and enjoying the work. Instead of a To Do list I have a Possibility List. It gives me a lot more flexibility.
Murr,
Yes, another version for writers is, “Butt in the chair.” That wouldn’t work for me, because I type standing up. 🙂
I’m definitely process-oriented.
This month is (for me) “No day without a blog post.” I’m doing NaBloPoMo, or National Blog Posting Month, which is more results-oriented, but I don’t mind. Sometimes I need to push myself to get results. Because when I look back on my life, results are all that’s there to see!
I am like you. I enjoy the journey more than reaching the destination!
Rummuser,
Yes!