As I said earlier, I am reading a two volume set called The Works of John Adams. As I was reading his diary which covered his years immediately after passing the bar, I found a recurring theme in his mind.
“This day has been spent to little purpose. I must confine my body, or I never shall confine my thoughts: running to Doctor’s, cutting wood, blowing fire, cutting tobacco - waste my time, scatter my thoughts, and divert my ambition. A train of thought is hard to procure; trifles light as air break the chain, interrupt the series.” pp. 102-103This type of comment keeps recurring. He continually made resolutions to continue studying the law, to get up early, to study and ride all day, and get a good nights sleep. It seems that this founding father rarely lived up to his goals.
I find his procrastination and rationalization and lofty goals, very reminiscent of my daily process.
If you are young and struggling with keeping your nose to the grindstone, just keep in mind that John Adams had the same problem.
Adams, John. The Works of John Adams, Volume 1. Norwalk, Connecticut: The Easton Press, 1992.
homo unius libri
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Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.