Header picture: Picture of Mozart. Child genius. Existing in the world to make beautiful music and all composers thereafter feel bad about themselves.
So there’s this author that I really like called Ryan Holiday. I’ve read almost all of his books, and whenever he comes out with a new book, I will spend time browsing it on Amazon, reading reviews, wondering when I can make time to read it, before finally caving and buying it.
(I usually only like to read one book at a time. It’s easier for me to put all the pieces of the book into one larger picture. And I usually only like to buy a book when I’m ready to read it. Maybe a story for another day.)
His books are insightful. He always talks about interesting ideas that I’ve never thought of before. The first book that I read of his, Trust Me, I’m Lying, made me view media influence in a completely different way. Marketing isn’t just a bunch of big wigs in a room making decisions. The media landscape is made up of different individuals, all of their own agendas, personalities and biases that could potentially be exploited — for good or evil.
His book on Stoic Philosophy The Obstacle Is The Way is also a favourite of mine. Each lesson in a concise chapter illustrated with a compelling story. The hardships or obstacles that I may be going through don’t seem to compare to that of those war generals or past presidents. I don’t know how many times I’ve listened to it while going to sleep, hoping that some of that wisdom would seep into my subconscious and help me in my own life.
Yesterday, Holiday sent me an email newsletter. I opened it and then travelled through the wormhole called the Internet, before stumbling across Holiday’s wikipedia page. And then I saw it.
He was born in 1987.
Meaning that he and I have had the same amount of time to accomplish things.
The sudden discovery was a little unsettling. He’s written 5 solid non-fiction books, and I’ve written zero. Even though writing a book has long been a dream of mine.
He has a farm and animals and a kid! Animals — like real animals! Like horses and chickens and other animals that I studied in elementary school and have only seen at the zoo. I don’t have a kid and I help take care of the pigeon doves that my husband’s brother didn’t want to take care of anymore.
You know that he used to be the CMO of American Apparel? While he was managing the marketing for a large clothing retailer, I would often pass by an American Apparel store close to my university. (I never went in because the clothes were a little intimidating. There were so many metallic tights in the display window.)
So he had a bit of a head start because he didn’t go to college and jumped into working world at an early age. (Supposing the demands of school life made it difficult for me to write a book…) But even so, I’ve had almost 10 years to write at least one book. And I haven’t written one book.I haven’t written an outline. I haven’t even written a blog.
The reaction I could have is to berate myself. Which is something that I might have done in the past. But I’ve discovered that berating myself doesn’t put myself in a healthy mindset to grow and overcome creative challenges. I just feel like shit, and then hide in my room, and accomplish even less. Not great if you want to get things done.
This discovery just means that it’s time for me to get started. If Holiday has been writing books, for 10 years, I should still have at least 10 years left in my life to write. As with many things in life, be it planting a tree, or investing or loving others or learning, the best time was 10 years ago. The second best time is now.
Holiday’s success just means that this is achievable for me too. I, too, can write interesting, insightful books. I, too, can find the gems that others miss, be it in people or things or events that have happened. I, too, can find the relevant wisdom and present it to others in compelling way.
He is the light at the other end of the dark tunnel. The light may be a little dim, and seem a little far away, but I can still see it. The obstacles in the way? I can deal with it when I get there. I have all the tools I need — I just need to start moving forward.
And so this is me. Moving forward.