The path to success is rarely linear. You’re likely to hit some dips, or need some tools to help you push through moments hen you’re stuck.

This week, three tips on pushing through the tough parts of the process.

One to help you be brave.

One to help you focus.

One to help you be brilliant.

Brave: Be Persistent, Not Obstinate

In an essay called The Right Kind of Stubborn, Paul Graham distinguishes between persistent belief in your work and mere obstinance.

In the degenerate case they're indistinguishable: when there's only one way to solve a problem, your only choice is whether to give up or not, and persistence and obstinacy both say no. This is presumably why the two are so often conflated in popular culture. It assumes simple problems. But as problems get more complicated, we can see the difference between them. The persistent are much more attached to points high in the decision tree than to minor ones lower down, while the obstinate spray "don't give up" indiscriminately over the whole tree.

The persistent are attached to the goal. The obstinate are attached to their ideas about how to reach it.

This is similar to a section of The Brave Habit, in which I distinguished between mere bravado and true bravery, which is cause-based not simply self-serving.

Something to consider: are you exhibiting persistence or obstinacy in your work?

Focused: Think In Writing

In the WiseReads newsletter, I came across an article by Henrik Karlsson called How To Think In Writing. He describes his process for generating ideas and forging new insights through the regular, disciplined process of writing.

When I write, I push myself to make definite positive claims. Ambiguity allows thought to remain fluid on the page, floating into a different meaning when put under pressure. This makes it harder to push your thinking deeper. By making clear and sharp claims, I reveal my understanding so that I—or the person I’m writing to—can see the state of my knowledge and direct their feedback to the point where it will help my thinking improve.

I often use a similar method, creating a new page each day in Notion in which I write about my work, clients, potential solutions to problems, and new ideas or theories I’m toying with. The fascinating thing about this process is that I can watch ideas evolve over time.

Have you experimented with writing as a method of thought?

Brilliant: The Craft

A fiction writer and and a musician walk into a bar. (Actually, it might be a hotel lobby.) This conversation between Jason Isbell and George Saunders is gold. They discuss their mutual crafts, creativity, and much mroe.

Who do you look to for inspiration in your craft?

This Week:

Be persistent, not obstinate.
Set aside twenty minutes to experiment with writing for ideas.
Seek inspiration in your craft from the masters.

And, finally:

If you enjoyed this newsletter, my new book The Brave Habit is a practical guide to making brave decisions every day in your work. I hope you’ll read it. (You can download a few sample chapters here.)

Your turn to lead:

Do you know someone who might find this email helpful? Please forward it to them.

Todd Henry

teaches leaders and teams how to be brave, focused, and brilliant. He is the author of seven books, and speaks internationally on creativity, leadership, and passion for work.

TODDHENRY.COM

Todd Henry

BFB: Mining for great ideas through writing

Brave: Be Persistent, Not Obstinate

Focused: Think In Writing

Brilliant: The Craft

This Week:

And, finally:

Your turn to lead:

Todd Henry

BFB: Are you ever finished?

BFB: I learned a valuable lesson from my razor. (Yes, really.)

BFB: I (accidentally) almost walked a marathon