The guitar has been in the corner for 10 years now. I still can’t play more than a few chords.
The new skis are still just that, hardly a scratch on them, 5 years later.
Both seem like fun, worthwhile, I’d just rather spend my time elsewhere.
That’s my inclination.
Playing a tune, skiing double blacks, it sounds great, but the practice just doesn’t stick. You’ve got to love that part too.
Never need to be reminded to read and write and workout.
James Joyce said, “No pen, no ink, no table, no room, no time, no quiet, no inclination.” and for a writer that’s about as bad as it gets, but two of those will solve all the others.
Time and inclination.
Do you have the time, will you make time?
Do you want to do it, are you drawn to it, are you inclined?
Want to learn how to cook? If you work 100 hours a week as a lawyer, you’ve made your choice. No time for fancy footwork in the kitchen. And if McDonalds is your favorite restaurant, well, you just don’t have the inclination that will make for a great cook.
Keep in mind you can’t just like food and magically become a chef, just like I can’t love AC/DC and wake up playing guitar like Angus Young. You need to love making food. Love chopping food. Love being in the kitchen. Inclination is different.
You can’t just like the idea of being rich and become a successful stockbroker. You need to wake up in the morning thinking about business and finances and market cycles. That is what it means to have an inclination.
Marathons work the same way.
So does learning French and starting that yoga practice.
This may all seem a little negative, but I bring some good news as well. Those two simple ingredients that can burst your bubble can also make you world-class.
You’ll need some talent and some luck as well, but those will come later.
If you are really drawn towards something, and you make the time for it, that’s all you need.
The job, the family, the adventure, the blog. If you wake up every day thinking about those things, and then build your day around them, you’ll be on your way.
Where will your time and inclination lead you?
