The willingness to act as if

My imagination has a way of raising the stakes on me. Constantly. When I was young, I’d imagine the next day’s test at school, my basketball game that night, or the weekend with friends, and it would always spiral into something grander.

Thinking about the test would lead to thoughts about my class rank. Which would lead to thoughts about college. And employment. And fame and fortune.

Thinking about the game would lead to thoughts about my stats. Would I score 20? That would lead to thoughts about the people in the bleachers. Would I look cool to them? Would the pretty girl notice me?

Thinking about my weekend with friends would lead to thoughts about our youth. Is this the best it’ll ever be? Would we stay friends forever? Would the pretty girl notice me? (Turns out about half my thoughts were basically that same thought…)

If you’re like me, your mind starts raising the stakes by extrapolating out where one moment might lead, how it might seem grander somehow.

It’s easy to see that kind of thinking as useless. It’s empty daydreaming. The thing is, it IS useless and IS empty … until you allow yourself to as if.

Act as if you’re the type of person who does well in school. What study habits would that prompt you to try … simply because you are the type of person who does well in school?

Act as if you’re the type of person who performs well under pressure. Imagine the work ethic and the focus you would need — work ethic and focus you’ll use to practice and improve. Because you’re the type of person who does perform well under pressure.

Act as if you’re the type of person who develops deep bonds with others, who doesn’t allow routine life chores to slowly erode meaningful relationships. Imagine how many times you’d text a friend, just to say hello — or how often an impulse to text them would then become a call. Or a visit. All because you are the friend in the group who reaches out, who keeps everyone together.

Imagine if your imagination wasn’t just a way of visualizing what could be, but a way to shape who you are.

— — —

If you haven’t yet, subscribe to get a few short ideas like this via email each week. You’ll also get exclusive announcements, access, and experimental projects once every few months. Or you can support what I do by purchasing a book.