Have you ever wanted to do something but are unsure or even doubt if you can? Then out of nowhere comes somebody who not only does what you had in mind but sets new records. If yes, then you are not alone.
There is a huge difference between thinking and doing. Successful people are doers; some are not half as smart as the billions of overthinkers we have today.
A perfect example of a doer and arguably an overachiever is Louis L'Amour. His story is an inspiration to me. Why? Because, like him, I am a writer, but unlike me, he produced over a hundred literary works.
You see, just before I took the bull by the horn and began waiting for my heart out, I had my own self-doubt. I criticized my writing so much that I once stopped writing for months. There were a billion reasons why I felt I wouldn’t be a good writer, even though I loved writing.
My story isn’t unique. I am sure you have one or two things you would love to do but somehow do not dare to start. We all have been victims of the voice of fear and doubt in our minds. Worse still, we stupidly listen to procrastinators and underachievers who cloak their negativity with a false image of wisdom and a life of ease.
But men like Louis L'Armour occasionally show us nobody has an excuse for inaction. They leave the world wondering at their outrageous level of productivity, and in his case(because it is worth mentioning again), over a hundred literary works. Countless movies, documentaries, and TV series have been made on his literary works.
Sometimes the achievement of most people would leave you thinking they are aliens. Men like Elon Musk, Michael Jackson, Mahatma Gandhi, and hundreds of others who tend to do the impossible often remain a mystery to us. But are they mysterious?
Was Mr. Louis L'amour different from us other humans?
Of course not. Often, when books are written about these people, you will be surprised that they are expected, and sometimes not as impressive as you imagine them to be.
I recently read Toni Robbin's book, where he interviewed the world’s most excellent financial experts. It came as a surprise to me that these men operated largely using common sense. What they had was extreme willpower. These men are different because of their determination.
Louis L'Amour is impressive, even for highly productive, ambitious people who want to change the world for good. Producing such vast and engaging content exemplifies extreme determination and willpower.
Whenever I need some quick motivation, I remember Louis L'Amour. If he can be so prolific, so can I. My goals are different, but with much determination, I, too, can do great things.
How Louis L'Amour Gets Ideas
Louis L'Amour was not been privileged to study at any prestigious University. Most of his ideas and characters come from his experience working as a laborer in various menial activities in his early years.
His inspiration comes from the places he visited, his work environment, and the people around him. He also traveled alone with his family, which might have given him beautiful insights into new places.
Summarily, his is a story of a very ordinary person, born without the high privileges of the upper class, but able to draw inspiration from where he was to become a literary giant.
I often struggled to get ideas to write. And when I did, I struggled to find the story to tell. But now, through deliberate practice, I have overcome all these. I currently never run out of ideas on what to write.
The goal is not to attempt writing hundreds of books in your life but to start with 1000 words a day or 30000 words a month, or 365000 words a year. If you are consistent, you may even surpass Louis L'Amour in your lifetime.
In "On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft," Stephen King, one of the most famous writers of our time, explains that he produces so much because he reads a lot and so writes a lot. He writes 2000 words a day or nearly ten pages a day.
Similarly, if we want to produce nonstop content that inspires people, we, too, need to get up and read a lot and meet many people. And experience new cultures, and travel.
The best advice from Louis L'Amour For A writer
Louis L'Amour acknowledged that he did not rework his books. He wrote and learned during writing, and effect improvements in the next book he wrote. This is one of the most logical ways to increase productivity.
Often we read, write and edit before completing our first draft. Then get stuck in the process of authoring just one book. This hampers our productivity if not stall it. We can't produce any meaningful work with this mindset.
Austin Kleon, the writer of "Steal Like an Artist," a New York Times bestseller book, writes in his book that artists are often asked how they get ideas for writing, and mostly the answers are they steal them.
Always remember that perfection is a journey, not a destination.
Conclusion;
We're what we repeatedly do. And the best way to become good is to follow what successful and famous people are already doing. Once you make this a habit, you are well on your way to finding yourself and becoming the giant you think of yourself.
So, what would you love to achieve today?
