I am an Addict
The Kings Letter
I’ve got an addictive personality. It’s why I don’t do drugs. I avoid drinking. I focus on the things I can let myself be addicted to.
Casey Nesitat
I started playing music when I was 8 years old and at first I didn't like it very much because I was bad at it but as with anything, I practiced, got better, and started to like it.
The better I got the more I liked it.
I started competing (and winning) which gave me even bigger goals to practice toward.
I was practicing for hours and hours every day, 7 days a week.
I was going to lectures and masterclasses to learn more (you can now take my classes).
Almost every night I would fall asleep listening to a cello concerto on repeat on my sound system I got from my dad.
Music was the first thing I thought about when I woke up and the last thing I would be thinking about before falling asleep.
I would even dream about it.
In other words, I was addicted.
You see, it’s not just about steering clear from substances.
It’s about channeling that addiction into something powerful.
It’s about (un)controlled passion and purpose.
Life filled with desires
You want to have a life sculpted by passion, not dictated by addiction.
Desires can lead you to a path of creation or a path of destruction.
It’s entirely up to you.
By choosing the addictive pull of creation, you can unearth a source of (almost) inexhaustible motivation.
I say “almost” because motivation is a byproduct of action.
You do not take action because you are motivated; you are motivated because you are taking action.
The desire to craft, build, and create is an addiction that doesn’t deplete; it energizes.
Every pursuit is a testament to personal growth and resilience.
Your addictions become evidence of your will to live.
They drive you either towards an uninspired life full of monotony and dread or they drive you towards an amazing life filled with creativity, positivity, goodness, and joy.
Your choice (and it is a choice).
A choice is all that separates you from everything you have ever wanted.
Passions and purpose
So how can you infuse this philosophy into your own life?
Start by identifying your passions.
Things that light a fire within you.
If there is nothing that lights fire within you at the moment, you haven’t found your passion (yet).
If you spent time searching but nothing quite clicked, perhaps you just need to choose one and stick with it.
Once you’ve identified your passion, embrace it, let it consume you, and watch as it propels you toward a life of meaningful accomplishments.
Say no to the conventional vices and say yes to the addictive allure of building something extraordinary.
However, learn the skills that go hand in hand with whatever passion you choose.
A pianist mastering the keys but neglecting the rhythm may create beautiful melodies but without sense of timing it all falls apart.
Or a painter creating masterpieces, without advertising and selling skills is just a starving artist hidden in the shadows, waiting to be discovered.
To build something of importance you must also understand the business side of things.
It’s the difference between creating in obscurity and actually showcasing your work in front of people.
What creates purpose?
You will get a sense of purpose once you have a clear vision and start working on meaningful tasks that bring you closer to it.
Purpose is a process of doing.
It is a daily reminder that things need to get done if you are to reach your potential and the feeling you get by accomplishing self-made objectives.
How to clarify your vision?
By asking yourself the right questions and answering them honestly.
The questions like:
If money weren’t an issue, what would your day look like?
What kind of environment you want to live in (what kind of apartment/house, what city, traveling, etc.)?
Do you want a family (how big of a family, how do you want to spend time with them)?
How do you want to look and feel (strong or weak, round or muscular, low energy or high energy)?
If you could do anything, what would you do for work (how long would you work per day)?
You want to be specific and detailed with all of your answers.
The clearer the answers, the clearer the vision.
Roadmap to being a highly functioning addict to your passions
Ask yourself questions that will clarify your vision.
Answer those questions with serenity and detail.
Through that process identify your passions as well.
Set actionable steps every day that will move you slightly closer to the grand objective.
Be disciplined in your daily task execution (I talk about it in more detail here).
Repeat for a week and review your weekly accomplishments.
Repeat for a month and review your monthly accomplishments.
Repeat for a year and review your yearly accomplishments.
Repeat for a lifetime and view the purposeful life you’ve created.
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Push further,
Mislav Brajković
KingsString
