avatarRasheed Hooda

Summary

The author shares a personal journey of overcoming procrastination and technical challenges by following advice to write without editing and using Google for problem-solving, leading to increased efficiency and self-discovery.

Abstract

The article "LIFE LESSONS — THE HARD WAY" emphasizes the importance of overcoming discomfort and trying new approaches to improve productivity. The author recounts their struggle with the habit of editing while writing, exacerbated by the use of Grammarly. After multiple attempts to disable the tool, the author's son introduces them to the power of Google, revolutionizing their approach to solving technical issues. This shift in mindset results in the article being written in record time, demonstrating the value of following advice and embracing new methods. The piece concludes with a nod to Sergey Faldin's tip to write first and edit later, and it is part of a series of life lessons the author has learned through uncomfortable discoveries.

Opinions

  • The author acknowledges the soundness of writing without simultaneously editing, despite initial resistance.
  • Frustration with technical issues is a common barrier to productivity, but it can be overcome with simple solutions like using Google for help.
  • Parental advice, when reflected back by one's children, can be a humbling and enlightening experience.
  • Embracing new ways of solving problems can lead to significant personal growth and efficiency gains.
  • The author endorses the practice of writing without interruption for editing, crediting this method for their improved writing speed.
  • The article suggests that personal discovery and learning can come from unexpected sources, including one's offspring.

LIFE LESSONS — THE HARD WAY

Get Over Your Discomfort and Just Try It

Listen to your inner voice and follow instructions.

Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash

You don’t know how many times I put off doing something, or trudged through life frustrated because I didn’t know how to do something.

Case in point, I read so many times that when you write, write, don’t edit. Leave the editing as a separate task. The advice is sound, and it made all the sense in the world. My only problem was that I have Grammarly installed on my browser, and it kept pointing out mistakes as I made it.

“So turn it off,” you might be thinking. I tried, I uninstalled it, instead. I had to go through H E double hockey sticks to get it reinstalled. Did I tell you I am technically challenged? I used to go to my son whenever I had a tech issue.

After the third time of having been inconvenienced away from his online gaming fun, he pushed his mouse aside, calmly turned his chair to face me, took a deep breath, and in his best parental loving tone said, “Now, there is this thing on your computer, it’s called Google. You just type in the question you want to be answered, and voila! You have a gazillion answers to your question. Don’t get overwhelmed; just read the first one.”

He turned his chair back toward the screen, put on his headphones, and he was gone. Don’t you hate it when your children give your advice back to you?

Yes, I googled how to turn Grammarly off. It was surprisingly painless; once I got over my discomfort of asking an inanimate object for help. It could be the beginning of a new era of discovery. Who knew?

And I did write this piece in record time. Yoohoo!

This story was inspired by reading tip 6. Write first, then edit. Thanks, Sergey Faldin

My other uncomfortable discoveries.

I am a self-proclaimed weirdo, Jack of Many Trades and Master of Some. I live the Freedom Lifestyle — life on my terms, and help those who are interested in doing the same. (Join the Tribe)

“You can let others tell you what it means to be successful, or you can decide it for yourself.”

Creativity
Writing Tips
Writing
Life Lessons
Google
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