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For most of us, the seductive and unstated part of 'if I had enough time' is the unstated sentence 'to hear myself think.' In other words, we imagine that if we had time we would quiet our more shallow selves and listen to a deeper flow of inspiration. Again, this is a myth that lets us off the hook- if I wait for enough time to listen, I don't have to listen now, I don't have to take responsibility for what is trying to bubble up today.

Julia Cameron#5

CreativityInspirationProcrastinationResponsibilitySelf awarenessTime

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About this quote

What does it mean?
Waiting for time to listen to ourselves is often an excuse to avoid responsibility now.
In plain terms
We tell ourselves we need more time to think, but that avoids listening to inspiration today.
What can you take from it?
Don't wait for time to listen to yourself.

Where it applies

  • creative blocks
  • busy schedules
  • decision making

Putting it to work

  • schedule quiet time
  • listen to intuition
  • avoid procrastination

Questions to consider

  • Are you delaying self reflection?
  • What stops you from listening now?

Another view

Sometimes genuine reflection does require dedicated time.

More from Julia Cameron

  1. Perfectionism is not a quest for the best. It is a pursuit of the worst in ourselves, the part that tells us that nothing we do will ever be good enough - that…

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  2. Life is a creative endeavor. It is active, not passive. We are the yeast that leavens our lives into rich, fully baked loaves. When we experience our lives as …

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  3. Growth is an erratic forward movement: two steps forward, one step back. Remember that and be very gentle with yourself.

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