December 16, 2024
For a year, I have been approaching this topic of procrastination. What it means to me, what it meant for others and drawing wisdom from real people, that can connect to why i or we, procrastinate.
And I have so many more stories to share. It helps, to focus on the one theme for a year or more, because as I've said, I'm a recovering procrastinator.
Today, the story I have is on Frank Ocean. A supremely talented singer and songwriter. Ocean was at party and was asked by comedian Aziz Ansari, "how do you do it man?" Aziz was feeling what we all feel at one point or another, stuck. Aziz continued to say, "you never do any press, you barely tour, you only put out your music when you really want to, only do things you really want to do-whats the secret?*
Ocean responds, "you just gotta be comfortable making less money, that's all." Ocean is a rare kind, especially in the entertainment industry. By being comfortable taking less money, Ocean is in full control.
Because he doesn't take the money-they can’t tell him what to do. The money, the fame, the charts, the awards, the milestones - none of it matters for Ocean.
He is just focused doing what he does, when he wants and how he wants. Without the motivation of externals, Ocean is in full control.
When we are in control of what we do, say, and think, procrastination has no space to creep in. If money can't sway Ocean, he is what Robert Greene calls, a master or channeling his mastery. By being in control, Ocean does less and by doing less, what he touches has a greater impact to his craft and to the art. Just being in love with what we do, that is all that matters.
What if we all found what we love to do? Or found love in what we already do? Or loving a single part of what we do?
Could we procrastinate less?