The difference between wishing and building is what you do after the excitement leaves.

RESILIENCE

WHAT THIS MEANS

Starting is enjoyable and tells you almost nothing. Everyone is capable during the phase when the idea is new and the imagined version of the finished thing is still perfect. What separates a wish from a thing that exists is what happens in the middle, after the novelty has gone and the work has revealed itself to be ordinary. Building is mostly that middle.

When the excitement fades, treat it as the beginning of the real project rather than a sign you chose wrong. Reduce the daily demand so it survives the dull stretch. Then keep going long enough to find out whether the idea was actually any good.

A QUESTION TO SIT WITH

What are you still building after the excitement wore off?

MORE IN DISCIPLINE, WORK & STANDARDS

Free, with nothing to buy inside it.