What do you hate not doing?
2009-08-29
We've all asked ourselves, “What do I really love?” or “What makes me happy?”
I've wrestled when the emotion-based answers conflict with expectations. (I'm a musician, but I love working alone. Does that mean I should be a producer instead of performer? I'm an entrepreneur but I hate doing business deals. Does that mean I'm more of a CTO than CEO?)
Last week I thought of it a different way, that I like better:
What do you hate NOT doing?
(What makes you feel icky, irritated, annoyed or off-track if you don't do it enough?)
- I hate not programming.
- Programming, to me, is the ultimate purposeful creativity. I have so many ideas in my head of websites that would make the world a better place if they existed, services that could help people. It's just a matter of taking a thousand hours to type it all out and turn ideas into reality. Any week not programming is a disappoinment to myself and maybe to others.
- I hate not writing.
- There are so many things I've learned that I think would help other people to know. Things I wish someone had told me sooner. Things that have made my life better, brighter, or wiser. I want to tell everyone these things before I die, in a well-explained way so they're not misunderstood, and easy to pass on to others. And more new ones are added every week. So I have to keep writing to get them all out. Any day I'm not writing, I'm falling further behind in this goal, which I makes me feel worse.
- I hate not biking.
- I love the adrenaline rush of riding my bike. I love knowing it's good for my health, and making my legs and cardiovascular system stronger so I can bike across India soon. I love it so much that when I don't do it for even a few days, I get annoyed. When I see other people biking, and I'm not biking, I get jealous.
- I hate not talking with friends.
- I'm in my own head so much, that I love hearing what my friends are thinking about instead. I love how my friends think. I care about them and feel icky when too disconnected from them for too long.
Asking the double-negative seems to be a better indicator of what I really love doing, than asking it in the positive.
Anyway - I'm probably overlooking some of my own, but now I'm more curious to hear yours.
What do you hate NOT doing?
I hate not performing, not singing, not chasing my dreams. (I've decided to focus my time on only doing those things I love.)
I hate not reading your blog posts. ;)
Well lets see I hate not making money I hate not helping musicians, bands and artists to succeed. But most of all I hate not being creative.
I hate not practicing and I hate not performing as much as I would like so I will definitely focus more on that but...I also hate NOT doing all the things I need to do related to that.
As an indie artist we must do the back up work as well.
Being a Gemini helps with multi tasking.
I hate not practicing and I hate not performing as much as I would like so I will definitely focus more on that but...I also hate NOT doing all the things I need to do related to that.
As an indie artist we must do the back up work as well.
Being a Gemini helps with multi tasking.
I hate waking up in the morning and not feeling like I can handle the day. I should give myself more credit and just get up and go.
i hate not traveling, not working out, not singing, not making enough money, not wanting to make enough money, not having that feeling of my life being truly my own, and i hate not spending the majority of my time in a creative dream cloud of my choosing.
I love that your entrepreneurial ideas involve providing people with services that they could really use to get closer to not doing what they hate.
I hate not making music. And working with music. Any time I'm not making music or working on something musical, I'm pretty much annoyed. I'm working on being annoyed less and less...
I hate not recording, not writing, not acting, not traveling, not hanging with friends & family, not eating Mexican food.
I hate not having free time for the kinds of random creative pursuits that so often turn into joy immediately and income later on.
Per a previous post: framing commitments as either "no" or "hell yes!" helps!
I hate not writing a song. Out of the multitude of songs I'd like to write, I've probably penned about one percent. I don't like trivial subjects in songs, but there is so much poignant material in everyday life that I wish I spent more time trying to capture it all in that medium.
I hate not being able to have the money to record all the songs I am writing. I have another two or three CDs and more on the way that need to be recorded. I hate not singing, writing and performing and using my God given talents.
I hate not programming.
I hate not spending time with my wife and kids.
(So, if only I could get my family into programming, I'd be all set.)
I hate not edifying & encouraging others. I hate not writing new music. I hate not sticking with it. I hate not not listening enough . I hate not being in learning mode. these are just a few things I constantly strive to improve in myself so I can be a better example to those around and thus make a small but significant difference.
I hate not writing music/playing music, not working on routers/switches/Linux/UNIX/building computers, not chasing a supercell, not being on a road trip twice a year with my wife, not being immersed in nature!
(I really liked the formua that you wrote all these in, so I'm going to keep it in that format
)
I hate not painting.
When I paint I stop multi-tasking, stop my attention from wandering elsewhere, and I focus on a single task for minutes to hours and days.
I hate not playing piano.
When I play piano I get the same feeling as I do when I paint.
I hate not recording.
When I record I get to experiment and constantly rework what I'm doing to make it sound better, fuller, more interesting. I get to be completely in charge!
I hate not surfing.
I'm new at it, but it's become a religion for me. I too, get jealous when I see other people surfing and I'm not surfing. It's great to be with nature and in the water, and it makes me appreciate everything about California, or where ever I happen to be, even more.
I hate not songwriting.
It unclutters my mind!
Good, good good blog post! I give it 5 stars! I'm thinking a lot!
I hate not making enough time for my creative side and working too much.
I hate not playing the guitar.
I hate not writing, too.
I hate not having access to music supervisors to shop my Christmas tune.
I hate not being relevant (like, in my work). Thankfully, I am, most of the time.
I hate not seeing my friends often enough.
I TRULY HATE not having down time.
I hate not playing out anymore.
I hate not doing anything (or, not doing enough enough) about the above.
well instead of 'hate', I would personally use 'choose'..I choose to be doing creations of bliss! I choose to let go of the safe harbor for the open seas!
I hate not being able to get more sales for my latest release "The Four Winds" which everyone can ourchase if they will. LOL
I like keeping positive thoughts.
I hate not problem solving. I've picked up a lot of skills over the years... programming, video production, 3D animation, teaching... but when I really look at all those activities, the moment when I am really engaged and excited about them, is when I'm solving a problem. When I'm looking at it in a new way and seeing the pieces fit together.
Thanks for the post.
I have learnt not to hate anything... Enjoy even the dullest moment it helps slow down time we all look forward to the next rush to much... I dislike not having enough time not to do all the things i want to do... Dislike extreemly writing out checks to professional people that think they deserve so much for their time... This includes the tax department. Learning to be content is a blessing and jealousy is a curse...Love is so much better than hate (:
I would hate not reading Derek's site
I hate not being able to get more sales for my latest release "The Four Winds" which everyone can purchase if they will. LOL
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I hate not having the abilty to put into music what I hear in my head.
greetings, derek.
i hate not making music. there's a continuous broadcast going on in my head. when i'm not jotting it down or recording it into the computer, i feel like time is slipping away and some of those treasures will be gone. thankfully much of it is re-broadcasts or i'd never catch up. : ) but when i'm capturing the new and releasing it for others to hear, it's gratifying. even if there aren't thousands or millions of people chomping at the bit to hear it today. i know it's being documented for others to stumble upon "some day" and enjoy. that, to me, is what makes it worthwhile.
thanks for listening.
mully
I hate not meditating. Everything just seems to work out better. And hate subsides.
I hate not getting down to work and booking the gigs I need to get out and build an audience, without which I can't perform my stuff. I hate not performing. I hate getting frustrated by not getting down to work and booking stuff and performing and then just sitting around eating and drinking and becoming an angry fat vegetable with lots of useless unheard songs.
I hate not...performing, writing songs or whatever hits me, being who God made me to be, eating Oreos, being in my boat with a fishin pole in hand, spending time with my dad, and I HATE not applying your advice to my career! Thanks for what you do
Most people have a do-list. I also have a don't-list. It includes things that break me and make me unable to do the things I love.
I hate not getting off my butt and getting the ball rolling.
I hate not working ... especially after seven years.
I hate having to deal with incompetent and green HR employees that screen out older, experienced workers and bring in younger incompetent workers.
I hate dealing with government officials that are out of touch with what is going on in this country.
I hate dealing with media that are out of touch with what is going on in this country.
I hate living in a State that is crooked and self-centered (Ohio).
I hate living in a city that is crooked and self-centered (Noreth Royalton).
I hate living in a neighborhood that has an association and neighbors that think that police are doing a great job even though we have the highest crime rate in the city.
I hate having to hate.
Derek, That is an interesting way to think of things. My test for that is similar, though more visceral. And I find it an interesting coincidence that you mention making music but by yourself. I too feel that way.[get to that in a minute]
My test for "What I hate not doing" is self regulating, usually. For example: If at the end of a week I am irritable, or anxious I realize, "Hey, I haven't made anything this week." Almost immediately, I feel better, just from the realization. I then, or as soon as possible, get into the studio and get to work. Without exception, my irritation and anxiousness disappears. I try to keep a check on it daily, but often life gets in the way and I realize the day has gone and I have not created anything. For me it is like a booster shot, I start feeling sick if I am not regularly vaccinated against the tedium of just surviving. In your terms, I hate not doing something creative on a daily basis. [now back to the coincidence]
I too enjoy working my myself but miss the interaction of performing with other musicians. I don't know about you, but it makes it difficult to find people to work with. I am very open to suggestions about what I write, but when I have already work out the essence of a song, and have a vision of what I think it should be, I can't completely deconstruct it because someone else thinks it should have a completely different feel, or rhythm or or whatever. Know what I mean? Love to get you feedback on this quirk we share. Talk to you soon.
Brett
I hate not playing music both acoustic and electric in various styles with people who are willing to get together and do this for the fun and art of it without pay and a venue.sadly this does not exist today.
I hate not having enough money to do what I want to do in this music ministry. I have to wait for the cash to come in so that I can take everything to the next step. Sometimes Im just tempted to use credit cards, but on the other hand...We have no debt. We are in the black and perform regularily. I feel like because I have to wait constantly for the money to come in to buy what I need...its like Im traveling at a snails pace...And Im not young!!! ARGH!
Im thankful for what is accomplished and we regionally are VERY successful...but its been ten years of slow accomplishement and hard work in that waiting! Patti
I hate not having enough time to do all the things I want in my music career.I'm sorry I have to expand because I didn't want to sound negative,I don't think it does any good to hate and beat yourself up about not doing all the things we want in life.I'm speaking about a music career here in this case.Here comes the big IF.If you are doing at least 10 things a day for your career.Balance is the key for me.No gigs? I work on getting the right ones and work on new material,record,plotting,planning,artwork,website,make new friends on social networks,etc.I look at it as one big circle,things in motion stay in motion.When I wake up and I have emails in the inbox it keeps me inspired, especially when there are more than 10 a day.Derek thanks for being the ultimate indie supporter.I read every blog you write please don't ever stop your blogging.
I would hate not to sing and perform my creations.
I would hate not to fulfill my destiny and live a fulfilled life.
i absolutely love all that i am doing and do to keep me on as a musician and keep our label Chill Om running...we got in to it in the foirst place after being aware of all the things that we had to do...
i love writting emails and all the other things that come along with the package of being a music enterpreneur...
i hate going thru a day w/o having moved toward my/engaging my vision of an ever growing body of work, an ever growing audience & an ever growing music income.
those days that i DO honor this vision are SUCCESSFUL. those where i do not are hard on my mind & on all those unsuspecting hearts out there who i'm ripping off by NOT doing.
thanks, derek & everyone
Thanks. I hate not writing enough and not being able to record because I am doing more "important things" like working my two day jobs.
i hate not being allowed to kill the sheep.. ;-)
I hate not feeling connected to the world. As an only child, and living far away from my original blood relatives, I have plenty of opportunity to feel alone. To have private time.
But I play music to feel a part of a bigger picture, a bigger family. So I am grateful when being a musician brings me to others. To their ideas, interests, thoughts and feelings.
And I hate not feeling connected.
I hate not slowing down and connecting with people, nature, and my inner self.
I feel in resounance with the cosmos when: I'm out at sea sailing, I'm composing and arranging music, I'm teaching and performing Tai Chi and Aikido, I'm keeping up with the latest theories of Quantum Physics and theories of the Cosmos, and having discussions and sessions of all these things with my friends.
Island Frank
I love your thought provoking challenges. Recently I ran a group on "how does your mind work?" Everyone had to tell every tiny little thing running though their mind at the moment. We learned that some put on complete lenses of how to approach matters, and some of us have several wheels perpetually spinning at one time. Maybe you could do something with that one...
I hate not being involved in the music business...as frustrating as it can be - I've learned it is something I cannot NOT do. Perhaps it's just a habit after 25 years. My role in this business underscores that I cannot not be in touch with media and other influencers.
I cannot not help someone if they ask. It isn't that I think my influence is essential, I just know from personal experience if you need help...you do. Rarely does a week doesn't go by when people do not ask for help.
Writing must be incorporated into my day in some way or another. With writing comes reading. I cannot not read for a good portion of the day.
I hate not being able to express a point of view that isn't in total agreement with everyone else. Looking at situations upside down inside out or sideways always results in a creative solution.
Being with my children and husband is something I cannot live without. My friends are equally important.
I hate not being creative.
Whether it's mixing, playing guitar or keys, drawing, writing, photography, just the act of creativity is something I have to do.
I hate not walking.
Walking for exercise, where I can clear my head, and just focus on the moment and the environment and my body sensations.
I hate not knowing what I love.
It's always driven me crazy to see people who have a *consistent* passion for doing some particular thing. I both envy and respect them. I know what I like, but not what I love.
I hate not creating. (Crafting my instruments, designing, playing them, composing, recording). I hate not having informal gatherings of like minded people and friends. I hate not having a summit to look up to and climb. I hate not having time to jump in the ocean. I hate not having written meaningful articles. I hate not having a good bottle of Cabernet to enjoy as a dividend to a good day.
I hate..... not being Creative
....Not picking up my instrument on any level.(practice,jamming,gig)
....not spending quality time with my family (and my dogs)
....not getting on the water on any level ( beach, boating, boarding )
.....not experimenting with sound and taking the time to dive creating new things.
The problem I find is that creativity is often left for last. And the emd of your task list is.. "do something creative". And sadly then it just does not get done.
Creativity like working out should be done daily and prioritized.
I hate not seeing live music. I hate not augmenting my ideas, goals, and dreams. It makes me stir crazy and I can't concentrate on anything. I experienced a severe case of this yesterday, which made me wake up today and say, "I'm working on my business plan & going camping today".
I hate making mediocre types jealous, because I have 2 promote my own music myself!
hi derek--i absolutely love riding my bicycle too (and being in western Mass definitely helps)--that and being under the headphones at my keyboard in the writing, creative process are the two things i love most--in each i am closest to my self (with a capital S) and most connected to the larger
I wish there was some way to get all the voices on this post together to help one another not not do what they hate to not do
Seems like there are many kindred spirits one this one page!
I hate not helping the earth to survive rather than burn up and die every day. I hate not creating community every day and finding ways to help people keep creativity alive. I hate not being able to record all my music. I hate not singing daily. I hate not songwriting daily. I hate not performing my songs all the time. So I try to do all these things! I fail sometimes, but I don't hate that because I learn from it.
I'd rather not hate.
Hatred of not doing something does not result in my doing it.
Desire motivates me to do what I love.
I hate not having people come into my recording studio that I just finished building.
I hate not having enough money in the bank to pay all the debts accrued in the construction of my studio.
I hate not being able to focus exclusively on being the creative being I know I am supposed to be.
I hate not knowing where the next gig will come from.
I hate not hanging out with my kids because i'm trying to keep up with email or meeting ad deadlines; I hate not exercising because i'm too busy working (i also get jealous driving past bike riders); I hate not having enough music parties to play with friends for fun; I hate missing other people's music parties because i have another commitment; I hate not writing any songs because i'm too busy with housework/laundry/etc!
But like others on this page, I love creating a living by playing and teaching music! It sure beats having a real job, or working for someone else.
I hate HATE!
I hate not gigging. Making albums is cool, and having a body of work is a definite plus, but I became a musician to play music. Being on the bandstand, in that moment is what I live for. Everything else is a chore. When I'm not doing it regularly life loses all sense of purpose. I also hate not being with my buddies. I've spent too much time far away from home. Heaven and Hell is not an afterlife, it's right here where you are now, a psychological state. Being away from my home state of Texas for long periods of time (years), away from my buddies, BBQ, Mexican food, and musicians who are on the same page, is hell.
I hate not having my husband here with me. He was the one critic I
could depend on to tell me the truth about each song I wrote. He
wasn't a critic... Didn't know anything about music but always knew good music when he heard it. He could even tell me what was wrong.. if the trouble was with music or lyric. We all get too close to the songs we write and it's difficult to see our mistakes.
When he died I lost my one honest
helpful critic; however it seems like he is still here because I believe he transfered his listening
ear over to me. I really did need it. Now I don't waste my time working on clinkers. They stick out like a sore thumb.
I hate not performing and gigging with my band. I am restless when we don't have a show lined up!
I hate no being productive. Playing original music, I hate not being able to play out as much as my buddys in cover bands.
I hate not having the freedom to create more music due to havin g to work for the corporate monsters.
I hate not having enough hours in a day.
I hate not being able to find a way to make a living doing what I love and what many believe is my destiny.
I hate not having enough time with my kids.
Your articles are great and thought provoking.
Peter.
I hate not writing and performing.
I hate not having sufficient time to myself and to relax.
I hate not having sufficient time with my wife.
I hate not performing at my best at any given time.
I hate not feeling like I have any impact on those who seem to have power in this world.
I hate the limitations people put on themselves and try to convince you, you are also included in that group.
I hate it when (intellectuals) people tell me that"Everything has already been done". What a cop-out for lack of motivation!! Open your eyes and create your own premise by joining two subjects that have not been explored before.
I do it as a song/comedy writer and a visual artist all the time. It's also the reason I established the first Guinness wind instrumaent speed record with the harmonica.
I know this isn't exactly what you were looking for but I had to spew!
Excellent way of looking at things. I hate not CREATING.
I love the act of creating something from nothing. Whether is is writing music, writing a book, creating a cartoon a sculpture or work any work of art. I have to create, as often as possible.
I found I love to program and develop spreadsheets and technical documentation as well. Just creating is what is important.
If I am not manking something from nothing I am miserable. In fact I can't remember the last time I was not creating something.
It is as essential to the creative mind as breathing is for life.
Great topic.
This month i painted my office in orange shades for creativity. I'm still putting it together, but i put a Creativity Box on my bookshelf (that used to be crammed with cookbooks, among other books, those have been relegated to the diningroom). In it there is a set of watercolors, the three books my brother published so i can collaborate with him, "500 Songwriting Ideas," a rhyming dictionary, a small book of folktales, a book of nature activities for kids i've been wanting to use for songwriting, etc.
That was a week ago and I haven't touched it since!
I hate not having enough time to do what I want to do at the moment and feeling guilty when I've done a lot of what I wanted, or didn't do what I didn't want and don't see enough progress on what I should have done! Is that an answer to your question or a sidebar?
I hate not doing creative work, not writing, not making music and art, not gardening, not biking, not seeing my family and friends, not being outside, not having some alone time, not having a mix of activities. This is a very interesting experiment. Thanks.
I hate not laughing.
I hate not singing.
I hate not snuggling with my dogs.
I hate not exercising.
I hate not having the means to feed the homeless. I hate not having the cure for cancer. I hate not having the mf who created AIDS in my dojo when I train.
i hate not laughing enough or at all. Interaction with others is a good thing.
I hate not performing, not songwriting, not supporting live music on Long Island...
I hate not having a peaceful, ease into the day morning... tea, a bit of yoga, digging into my writing before all the noise of life rattles the psychic electrons...
I hate not composing piano works.
I hate not inspiring people with music, writing and speaking.
I hate not spending time with my wife and kids.
I hate not hating not to exercising.
Notice that no one has said they hate not watching TV? And so many mention having music parties or playing music for fun with others.
I dislike the transitional state of the music business. I've seen the business go from 78's to 33RPM's to to *-Tracks to 45's to cassettes to CD's to MP3's. We are in another music biz tech change. New opportunities are coming, so I guess I dislike not knowing what that opportunity will be. LOL!
Cheers,
Jimmy
I am going to take away the question: What makes me jealous when I see other people doing it? That one rings very true - and cuts through a few levels of self-deception. If I see somebody doing something and I wish I could do it (such as the things I already do, but not enough of!) that is a clear-as-a-bell indicator of what I'd like to be spending my time on.
I have to agree with what Googie said.
___________________________________
Googie (2009-08-29) #
I hate not having the abilty to put into music what I hear in my head.
___________________________________
I too hate listening to my recorded music beds after they are mastered and relealizing I should have done this or done that to make the music bed all that much more interesting.
I do learn from hindsight, whenever I record a new music bed, I re-listen to other music beds I've created and fill in all the music I would have used on previously recorded music beds.
So I hate not being able to hear the end results of my music beds in my mind, and I hate not being able to sing better.
But I end up liking my mastered songs regardless due to they are my creations.
What do you hate NOT doing?
1) learning new ideas, techniques, concepts,
practicing, keeping up with technology
2) writing new material and getting it all written out in score & chart form for performance & recording
3) finishing my new cd
4) touring the world
5) visiting friends & family, vacations
6) gardening
7) dreaming
8) selling more cds
9) being a better communicator
I hate not playing music! Not performing or writing or recording. Which is usually becasue Ihave to work - at an admittedly cool job - I do Foley and sound for movies. But when we have a movie in it is extremely time consuming and deadline oriented and leaves little time for anything else. So music falls by the wayside, even practicing. I am questioning whether this is really the best job for me given my music goals.
I hate not having enough money. I hate not traveling, not exercising, but mostly not being out there working on music every day.
I hate not having something to create. Music,art...something.
I hate not creating and selling music. Ilove introducing good songs to people. I hate not walking, it cools my mind down, walking is a Great Mind Coolant.
I hate not learning.
I hate not laughing. If I am having a bad day the best thing for me to do is laugh. I try to have at least one really good laugh every day.
I hate not coming up with fresh new musical ideas. I get all on edge when I my ideas start getting stale. So much that I have a hard time concentrating on anything else. Usually, when I get here I decide to paint, write, read, or have a good laugh.
Ya, #1 summed it up for me. I'm like a lot of musicians. When I'm on stage, I'm no longer conciously bound by this physical being. I assimilate into the music like the BORG collective. And people say that when they watch me play, I look like I'm in another dimension, another "Membrane".
Yep, I hate not playing in front of people. I also Hate Not recording a project.
I hate not to pray and praise daily. I also hate not to follow divine instructions concerning life generally.
I hate not being alone
I don't use the word hate at all anymore. But I don't like it if I don't make my Morning Tune Up videos almost daily. Inspired by Seth Godin, I try to post as often as I can, but there are days when it doesn't work out. When I screw up a video, because suddenly one note is wrong or doesn't sound, I give it a second try. If it happens again, I let it go for that day.
I hate not know what to do next!! I am creative, I write my own material, great at performing and i dont have a manager, and i do it all, and its hard for me to managed myself,, I hate not knowing what to do to get my music out to the world. But i am learning and trying to keep positive. ;)
I hate not slamming down a tune live on analog tape!
I hate not having decisions to make.I hate not being in Az.or NV.
I hate not recording songs.I hate not selling songs from the net.I hate not traveling.I hate not learning.I hate not hearing correct conclusions about anything.
for example"HEALTH CARE"
I hate not having a US President this time around
I hate not having downtime. When my days are too crowded, it's hard for me to find space for songwriting, or improving my singing/playing.
I hate not being able to record every song I write just after I write it.
I Hate not reminding myself of whats out there. With so much dead air theres a million possibilities for one with solid balls and good tunes to boot. I hate not saying "Mediocre" I need the cynicism to carry me through. Hoagy C. verses elton John...Motown v's modern r'n'b...Rock is alive and roll is dead. Revive the roll and the heart will beat in time again. Until then its Neil Tennent and Annie Lennox all the way to hell....cheers
I hate not writing (songs, stories, poems, books you name it).
I hate not singing, doing live shows, festivals or intimate small events.
I hate not recording (I love the studio, working thru parts, producing and creating is amazing)
I hate not taking pictures (of people, of nature or of unique and amazing things, it's incredible what you can see through a camera lense)
I hate not being creative in any way shape, form or fashion I can.
I hate not being outside, in the words of Anne of Green Gables "there's so much more scope for the imagination."
Right now I hate not having something original to hate not doing. Hating not doing music is looking a little cliche up in here. I hate not being completely original.
Heya Derek....
Hate not doing...or you last one....Hell yeah or no...
sounds like extremes....like
GOTHIC REGGAE
...........the music i do.
I see the yin and yang...great awareness you have!
by the way where do you bike if you live in NYC?
Cheers my friend, chris
"When I see other people biking, and I'm not biking, I get jealous."
Very honest of you to admit to that Derek.
When I see people biking, it gets me enthusiastic for my next bike- ride!
Ok, you mentioned 'jealous of..' which is a good 'negative' I've used, tho the hate one is good too..
I'm jealous when I see you blogging and reaching and inspiring people (so i like to inspire and motivate others too) i'm gonna explore this in my own blog. ThaNks.
I hate starting the day off without meditating first. I hate going to sleep at night without meditating first. I hate not BEING in the moment! I hate not promoting New Age Music in some way every day!!
I hate being useless at promoting my own songs other than singing them on the street! I am not good with computers but somebody did me a facebook page and I just found out today. A lot of new friends enjoy dancing on the pavements around midnight in my home town when I busk down in the city of Derby. That makes me feel good and life does have some great things to offer! That's why I don't like using the word 'hate' because the world is full of it and that's not pleasant. Let's be kind to one another. Keep smiling! Dennis Derby
I hate not learning new things.I hate not writing and performing, and I REALLY hate not spending time with my friends!
I love your blog!
I would hate not traveling. I would hate not creating a project from scratch and watching it go out into the world. I would hate not seeing my friends-especially in person. I would hate not seeing the natural world. I would hate not having problems to solve-products, services, etc. I would hate not working alone and i would hate not working in teams. i would hate not being able to co-create and dream.
I would hate not making some dream come true. i would hate not dancing. i would hate not kayaking. i would hate not bicycling. i already hate that i can not sing.
Derek,
You just reinvented the wheel: "To be or not to be." Is that the question?
In the words of the late, great Joseph Campbell, "Follow your bliss."
I enjoy your musings, so keep them coming.
Thanks for such a inspiring post...
I really hate not interjecting new thoughts into my life!!
I hate being stagnate...
I hate not making the world a better place..
I hate not telling companies how their websites can be improved.. ( I feel I live in a utopian society in my brain I get visions of the web of the future and this one is so far behind!!)
I hate not standing up for what is a better way to do things and pointing out when I see wrong in the world..the more people that stand up the greater voice we all have against injustice. (Whether it is seeing your boss mistreating a fellow co worker or reaching out to a lost child )
I hate seeing so much apathy and selfishness to people who are doing well and would rather just think about themselves... I hate that I spend time thinking those thoughts and not using that time to instigate ore change for the vision of a more perfect world.
I hate not living in a city that has more than a blues, country, or thrash & scream metal scene. I love to play fusion and have been searching for musicians to put together a jazz/fusion/rock project. It is difficult enough to grab any attention with that sort of thing anyway...much less in Texas...and almost impossible to be taken seriously. Really impossible to find other players who will participate in an all original jazz/fusion project as a start-up (without getting paid until we all get paid)...so I guess...really...I 'hate not' having the money to pay the musicians of the caliber I need to make the music in my head manifest correctly into the world. (Or maybe hate not having the money to move where there is a music scene other than blues, country, or screaming thrash metal.
Heyyy ..........
Me, I hate not recording, after two hours of practice daily, while selling C.D.'s and meeting new & interesting people !!!
I wouldn't be happy if I would have to live a life without
- quiet time at home with my boyfriend
- chocolate
- cooking nice, surprising dishes
- intellectual challenges every now and then
- my garden with flowers
- my brother
- performing my own songs with a band
- visiting my hometown Berlin as often as I can
- traveling to see the world
- knowing that life is full of surprises
I hate not walking down the street and noticing the trees, flowers or the sound of birds because I am too caught up in my own thoughts. I hate not being in touch with my higher power and not being conscious enough to listen to my true self and honoring it. I hate feeling judgmental or narrow-minded. I hate anything that doesn't feel like love or authenticity. I hate not connecting to others who are on the path to higher consciousness.
I hate not being creative... painting, drawing, writing, recording, playing.
I hate coming home from work so tired and banged up from the truck-dock that I sit and think about doing it but cant get up the energy.
But, I love it when I gather up my spirit to actually finally do it.
I hate not working with kids. I hate not recording and performing. I hate not reading. I hate not working out or walking. I hate not seeing my family.
I hate not being asked these great questions! Thanks for you and your hate nots, Derek!
I hate not having the courage to jump in head first. I hate not picking up my guitar and my saxophone and my microphone every waking hour of the day. I hate not practicing until my fingers bleed. I hate not being confident enough to quit the job I hate (referring to "I hate not having the courage to jump in head first").
Man,
I like this idea,
I hate not putting out as much as I think of, I hate going to shows, cause I get disapointed at myself for not following thru with ideas, and being the band on the stage, I hate not doing things cause I am so friggin poor, and that when I try to get friends to help with things they are too busy and really only see things as a simple hobby that can be forgotten or put in the backseat, I hate not being able to motivate them financially, that seems to be a big issue with most band mates, I hate not having a job where my focus is my creativity.
I could go on, I am filled with this kind of hate, thanks for letting, motivating me to share.
Check out my bands: "Horroble" and "Wicked little dolls" if you will
I hate not being able to instantly create a list of things I hate not doing.
(List forthcoming, but not immediately.)
In the meantime, I've passed this post along to various friends.
I hate knowing that writing the music is fun, easy and challenging but promoting it is a pain in the ass.
rada
I hate not:
Writing songs (and I worry about the dry spells)
Performing (What can I say? I'm addicted to having an audience)
Teaching music
Growing veggies
Running (I do it 3 days a week, and I get jealous of people I see running if I haven't done it that day)
Traveling
Spending time with my honey
Spending time with friends
(What order I hate not doing these things in depends when you ask)
One of the people I passed this along to is not likely to respond with career dreams, but something more pragmatic like: "I hate not being able to walk easily and without pain anymore." Sorry, but I can't personally top that one. (There are times where some things seem more essential to the moment-by-moment of life than aesthetically aspirational.)
Not playing for a crowd which is happening now due to weather. But I still am playing to raindrops anyway. They seem to enjoy it 'cause I have a pretty good sized crowd.
I hate not being me....
It isn't as easy as it sounds to do.
Steve V
I hate not thinking it through.
I hate not taking time to promote all the music & film I am creating. I love making it sooooo much, I don't take time to really promote it.
I hate almost always in retrospect: when I did not love enough; when I did not do enough; when I did not care enough; when I did not know enough. Thanks for your thoughts, Derek.
I hate not being able to stop war, tobacco companies, ruthless greed, cruelty to animals, and not building a collaboration center to combat sameness, predictability, and ethnocentricity in popular music.
I hate not:
-walking everywhere
-working on my music
-having a job I can do without too much thought. It lets me think about my other projects while still feeling productive.
-sewing
-having at least two projects
I hate not being around happy people or doing things that make me happy. That includes working, playing, accepting and receiving intimacy, and making music.
What an interesting concept! It definitely gives one a new way of looking at what really is a necessary component for each individual's life in terms of achieving one's own version of success. Here are my "Hate NOT" additions to add to the mix:
I hate not singing for an audience on a regular basis... it feeds my soul in a huge way. I hate not writing songs of substance with unexpected or unusual lyrics. I hate not having time to be in nature - hiking, camping, bike rides through the back roads, etc. I hate not feeling as though the things I do (whether it be in music or otherwise) make some kind of positive contribution to the state of the world, which I'm sure is a "hate not" for a lot of people.
Thanks for yet another compelling blog subject that makes your readers think from a different angle.
I hate not helping others when I know I can.
I hate not believing in myself enough sometimes.
I hate not being able to control how I feel at times.
Most of all, I hate not finishing a song when I know I can.
i hate not trolling. speaking of which, did you take that picture of the humming bird?
I hate not. Perhaps that is enough.
I hate not having love and affection.
I hate not having a girlfriend.
I hate not having sex.
LAMMY aka Mr. True
@Steve Vaclavik et al:
i 8 not finishing songs,
i 8 not having enough money to sound proof my home studio,so i wont disturb my neighbors while i do voice training,
i hate not sing or rapping
i 8 it when i get distracted while learning the piano.
I hate not being able to reach the hearts of those who are holding this country (the u.s.a.) back from being the greater place it could be. I hate not being able to turn them around to be more for all people and less for personal gain, power and greed. ~Karney
Hi Derek,
You are the right person for musicians. What I hate is not being able to reach the right people to work along side with my music. Derek with your help for all musicians, We have a better chance.
I hate not playing my cello, not learning something new or acquiring new knowledge. I do so feel out of synch when I do not explore new places, new/different concepts/ideas. I really hate when I am not enjoying my many blessings.
i hate not being able to be a singer/songwriter/performing artists because chronic lyme disease has stolen my life from me since 1999. i hate not being able to write and journal much. i hate not being able to organize my thoughts because lyme disease affects all cognitive thinking. i hate not being able to get well. i hate not being able to finish songs that i started several years ago. i hate not being able to stay on top of e-mails from encouraging listeners who cheer me onward! i hate not being able to even feel alive. i want my life back!!! i will fight until i do get it back....i will beat this! chronic lyme disease will NOT win!
(One more try at this.) @Steve Vaclavik et al: "To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting." --e.e. cummings, 1955
Derek writes: "I'm an entrepreneur but I hate doing business deals. Does that mean I'm more of a CTO than CEO?)"
"entrepreneur" means "one who undertakes" but more literally "enter"+"taker"--someone who is a "starter," in either case.
Someone who loves doing business deals, by contrast, is a "closer." Their thrill is typically in "closing a deal" (to paraphrase piano dealer Cecil White III).
Derek: Does that help?
I hate not playing my guitar enough!!! If too many days go by without picking it up, I get cranky and anxious and I pretty much just turn into a great big bitch. When I take the time to play, I feel happy, centered and on track!
I hate not breathing, although I hardly ever get a chance not to.
I have a feeling in a hundred years I won't be able to at all.
There are some exes that I feel the exact opposite about.
Mark Radice
music being derek
i love to make love & listen to the sounds, the music of her orgasms.
i hate the word "muckwork" and will have to check if i can sue you for emotional distress.
i hate the scroll of this format, can you make a new group list?
like music thoughts?
i removed myself from music thoughts, i hate the new censors.
i hate nyc, the traffic, the extremes, the crazy bike riders who zoom too fast.
otherwise i'm full of joy & wonder,
bright ways
ian the being
you 're right .. i hate not to make music at all the time i think all of us our time is limited ..while we can used it to help the world ..via a message from creating music or going to space...our fellow human..need to
be collectively work together ...
to accomplish great things...
i love to be productive...sorry if i'm off key some times in my response to you ..for my french too ..because of cdbaby my french music go all over the world..
I hate not completing too many of the things that I start. I hate the feeling that I'm not giving back as much as I should considering all that I've been given.
But I still love getting up every morning and that reminds me that there's time to finish, time to give back, time to be better.
I hate not being on stage...if it's longer than 2 months between performances, I hate it
It's really strange that you asked that question because there is something that I grapple with daily. I have an acute fear that my creative energy put into music might offend certain people which might cause them to become irrational in their thinking and do something bad. Many people blame hollywood talents for the chaotic state of society and the downward trends of modern civilization.
1) Not playing good shows. We're touring all the time, and sometimes we go through a stretch where the shows are falling flat...I start to miss being in Boston playing for that hometown crowd.
2) Not recording music. I need to make more time for recording and mixing my own and other peoples projects.
3) Not writing. I've kept a journal most of my life, but sometimes it slips to the backburner.
4) Not swimming. I can feel the difference in my body, my mood and my overall state of being after just a few days of not swimming. There's nothing like the calm of the water.
I hate not being positive. I hate not appreciating the good things that I have and the successes that I have had with my music and in my private life.
John Lennon said something like "Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans" (sorry if I've miss quoted). I've been thinking a lot about this recently. I've spent a lot of my life so far dreaming about what could be, yearning for something I haven't got.
I hate not making a celebration of every day and in fact this is something I am very good at.
I hate settling for second best, this can lead to a lot of unhealthy dissatisfaction, but it can also lead to making the very best of many situations and pushing for the best possible experience, the best seat in the house, the best dish on the menu, the best view of the sunset, the best man by my side... I feel a song coming on...got to go.
Rock on everyone,
Jane
I hate not constructing unique musical productions. I hate not being able to help people understand some of the complexities of the modern world. I hate not trading. I hate being late on lists.
I hate missing the opportunity to write new songs, there's always some trivial thing cropping up to distract me. And I hate missing opportunities to visit friends or to say an encouraging word to somebody.
But I'm always happier when I've spent some precious time with family. Michael J Ramplin
I hate not doing yoga every day when I'm really stressed out and I need it. I hate not playing my hurdy-gurdy and performing more regularly...
I hate missing my regular Open Mics.
I hate missing a day of juggling.
I hate going a whole day and not writing (journaling songs, stories, blogs, articles)
shoot. I don't really know why I'm replying to this one...maybe out of habit.
I have nothing intelligent to add.
I just like being in the habit of adding comments.
Derek you rock.
Mono
Hate's too strong a word.... or perhaps my passions are fading.
Inner conflict arises when I'm slack .....basically I get uneasy...that's something I suppose....
I'm with 'mono' on this one ... nothing intelligent to add except that it's a beautiful day in the mountains and I enjoy being part of 'this'
I hate when my actions or words don't match my true deeper values.
I hate not being able to find musicans that really want to play music, and being able to find time in their lives to do it including myself!
I hate not listening to myself and it's a very bad habit but useful too sometimes. No. That last part's bad thinking.
I hate not living near salt water, or at least water.
I hate not having earth to put my hands in(gardening).
I hate not being in a learning environment.
I hate not knowing what's going on in the world.
I hate not being at peace with people.
I'm not anywhere near as demanding of myself about some of those things as I should be. It has been said that if you stop to be kind you must stray often from your path, yet, if it is a duty to respect other men's claims so also is it a duty to maintain our own?
what do i hate not doing?
i hate it when my life gets in the way of me helping people. career, logistics, plans; all the things essential to daily human life (which i enjoy also), have a way of emotionally encompassing me.
when i finish the end of the day and i feel empty; the most consistent burning ouch is that i spent the day on "me," not someone else.
i like to create music and art, and i do that every minute of everyday, whether there is a product or not.
and.
the nights that are the most rewarding are the ones when i have exhausted myself helping people, even in the seemingly small ways. shortly put, i feel better washing someone's dishes than a week being fabulous.
thank you for asking the deep questions.
stefan
Hi Derek,
What I hate not doing is working on my music, in singing concerts, in making a 4th and new
new CD with Original songs, and in rehearsing
for performances !
Thanks, Marti Lynch
I Hate NOT...
Completing my next CD
... and the following one that's already in the works.
...Working my Children's Show concept into the next hemisphere.
...Traveling
...Talking more with my friends
But I do love that I'm playing a LOT, and writing new material and new scripts and studying with some infamous players and getting even better on my instruments...and my vocals have come into a life of their own.
Derek...I love your insight. Thanks for sharing...we met in NYC at a Meet UP (PhotoCard of Herman&CharlyVille) which was very cool...Chris
Just off the night-shift and back this afternoon before a few days free.
The Magnolia tree is now in stunning full bloom and - right on cue - the August winds howl. Not a green leaf in sight yet the Magnolia is glorious, heavily laden and sheds delicate petals onto the earth below. The flower beds are now comfortably deep with fresh soil, seedlings, mulch and water and - yippee - a heavy shower of rain arrives to validate my effort.
Bliss. I take it where I can.
‘What do you hate not doing’ is the question posed by Derek Sivers and, as usual, the responses are varied and slanted towards the positive and the constructive. It’s a good site with a large community.
It’s an odd way of phrasing the question and I have a hard time grappling with the ‘hate’ part of the question.
I get angry - sometimes with an alarming if brief rise of pure volcanic fury - over the fact that I can do nothing ‘much’ about the state of the world but be constructive within my limited world but that’s a bit tangential to the question.
I don’t spring out of bed to greet the day with joy and enthusiasm.... well... sometimes I do.... but I’m not very motivated to jump on a bike.
Sooo .... I guess I hate not doing....... chuckle chuckle... ‘enough.’
And that ‘enough’ - being more serious - includes being slack about spending the length of time it takes for a kettle to boil, doing six rounds of ‘Salute to the sun’ every day when I KNOW that I get - after ten days or so - a quantum leap in centered energy and yet I can disregard this easy benefit in favour of coffee and a cigarette.
That ‘enough’ includes developing more discipline in terms of practising and playing on a much more regular basis.
It’s a question.
I’m very glad I have - and maybe am - a garden. The questions are similar if we’re talking about what we hate not doing.
Isn’t it about being in tune with the times, the cycles of growth and decay and the connection within our minds that makes sense of this and then allows us to acquiesce and attempt to align ourselves within this process?
I haven’t the faintest idea of what that means.
So .... mostly I hate not doing what the time requires.
I hate not cooking good food for myself...when I'm not cooking it up myself I feel like I've been played somehow. I hate not getting my tracks edited in time to share in a timely fashion and hate not being able to learn Joomla! fast enough. Wait was that a double negative? I think I messed up. But still...I hate not learning back end web operations fast enough but have gained a lot of knowledge still...
I hate having to get up at 5:00 a.m. monday thru saturday.
oops,,,I mean I hate not having a gig in line,,,,and not gardening,,,have to have my hands in the earth, always.
i hate not getting enough sleep.
i hate not playing guitar.
i hate not riding my horse (or any horse).
i hate not getting enough peace, quiet, and solitude.
those things feed my songwriting. i love songwriting so much it kind of breaks my heart.
mine: yoga, bangin on the drums, improving / adding value to my websites.
I don't hate anything. Not even hitler or George Bush.
I hate not knowing!
I hate not being able to fix a song that isn't quite working.
I hate not remembering that the world is without Georgewbush as POTUS now, so we should all smile once a day. I hate not remembering to be grateful for my good health, my sanity, and enough to eat for the day.
I hate:
not writing, especially with an audience in mind.
not following ideas, trying them out, seeing where they lead.
not living in a beautiful and interesting city.
not having a woman in my life.
not cooking (especially for someone else).
not getting paid.
not writing code.
not collaborating creatively.
not performing improv.
This was fantastic. Thank you, Sivers. This little exercise has shown me, in about two minutes, exactly why I'm dissatisfied with my life, and exactly what to fix.
I HATE:
- not reading your blog
- not listening to new bands
- not having a nice home-cooked meal!.
4 a few, I hate not being consistent in:
*Daily devotions
*Exercise
*Punctual
*Looking before I leap
Oh my gosh, I typed out my comment and pushed the button, before I put my name at the top. Don't you just hate that. Okay my comment is that I love positive people around me, I cannot stand negativity. I hate it when there is not enough hours in the day, but if I rely on another person, the work is not up to the standard I require. Then I thought about this carefully, I need to teach myself that everyone is not built the same in their thinking, and acumen and we are all still learning from each other. Nobody is perfect. I hate it when I get writers block.
I hate not knowing that there's no one thing that is the thing that I should be doing, because there's nowhere you can be which isn't where you're meant to be, and I always will, or might.
but I do hate not having money, and hate not using Sibelius software, and hate not climbing behind the desk plugging in RCA cables, and hate not walking to the store.
I hate not having enough time for my creative pursuits, while I'm working most nights(barman).When I do have free time, I want to rest, working at night sucks.
I'm working on it, I'll leave work
In a year and have enough money too give my music my all, and then later if it dosn't work out, I know I tried, I'll learn a lot and have one hell of a time i'm sure.I've been on that same train of thought lately, what I hate not to do.
I hate opening my eyes and ears to the world, and not feeling LOVE in my heart.
I hate not dancing.
For the reason, I love to create.
To dance is joyful, you share the tranquility of happiness set forth in a new space and realm.
Time flows and your spirit sours free with another.
The element of sharing energy with some one new, and expressing ourselves in a sensual but romantic way.
Is like making love, sometimes even better, depending on how well your partner dances.Maybe?
I hate feeling like I'm not doing enough to share the gifts God gave me...my music, photography...a smile...a kind word...
I hate not playing guitar because of left hand pain. I hope Occupational Therapy works because nothing else has.
I hate not practicing singing and piano.
I hate not songwriting.
I hate not having decided where my mother should live to be happy and safe.
I hate not being a mom.
I hate not being appreciated by my closest family and friends.
Everything in this world is temporary, and change will come to everything. The things I hold most dear besides Rick, the cats and the farm, are captured moments in time, stored in memory as long as I am alive to remember them. Taking time to notice what is underfoot. Many things of beauty lie beneath our feet unnoticed. Daybreak as the rising sun turns the silver mists of the pre-dawn hours to gold. A spider web city in the hazelnut grove becomes visible and sparkles with dewy prisms in the early morning light, only to fade into invisibility in the heat of the day like an arachnid Brigadoon. The ever changing cloudscapes over the Cascades. The sound of honeybees working the cherry blossoms in spring, the air filled with the heady scent of the blooms. A song I made or interpreted appreciated by someone. Evenings with a guitar in hand, playing for someone, or maybe no one.
I hate not having LESS respondents to this question and therefore wearing my finger out scrolling down to add my comment!!
I hate not having replies to my follow up emails re airplay and reviews for my CDs.
I hate not having a girlfriend.
I hate not having the wisdom to not put that previous 'hate'.
I hate not having CDBaby running efficiently like the old days!
do know why they hate what there not doing.......insparation you need insparation to be happy iam working on mine.
I hate not remembering to take time to be present in the moment..
I hate not breathing deeply from my diaphragm
I hat not doing Kriya Yoga at least twice a week
PEACE, LOVE, n YIN
Tedi May
I hate having tons of ideas and can never see them through because they are bigger than me or anyone I know!Ones that will help creative people and help me be more creative, I hate having to sell someone on some that i think is great and even great for the economy, but, self rightous rich people never work with you unless they get the better end of your blood sweat and tears! I hate that!!!!! I hate that you can just have a great idea and walk it in to a CEO or creative Director of some big corperation and have them see you dream or brilliant idea as a jewel and help to build it! I hate that greed is powerful, I hate not having the power to help stamp it out! I hate that people are so distant from each other,that you can even talk to someone on the phone for a minute or two! I hate no beingt personal!
I hate smiling faces that hide who they really are! I hate that a lot of really creative people get over looked because of circustances beyond their control! I hate that I have keep every creative woprk i've done for thirty years and can't do anything with it! but try to self publish for pennies a month!I hate that when I can't be creative I hate the entire system of govrnment we live under! I hate rich people who think they have the answers to everyones problems!
I hate rich people that snuggle into their cozy little world and forget that there are other who are still in a place where they were before they were rich! I hate rich people that refuse to help in the needed fashion but give to greedy charities, or only things that interest them with seeing the whole tortilla cook!I Love Nice people and making music and I am completely 100% head over heals in love with love!
I hate typos! I hate sickness I hate unfairness, I hate what is bad and love what is good!
I hate people who don't know the difference between the two! I love loving people, those who love from the heart, and not for selfish gain! I hate wehat is not upright and shady!
I hate that I couldn't vent like this before, except to myself! I hate that!
I hate not singing or making fun different music.
I hate not writing songs!
I hate when Taxi critiques a song that you wrote, and still forwards it, and you never hear from the client of theirs!
I hate Taxi. They cater to one group or style.
I hate American Idol...... They drop some of the best singers!
I hate politics or anything political because LOVE is the answer to the problems of the world even my own! I hate that!
I hate not being healthy. I hate not getting enough sleep. I really hate not being understood and not expressing all the feelings and thoughts inside of me. Hate not being respected and not doing my part to show sharing, respect and real honest communication. Without music, I would die. Couldn't live without trees and mountains and lakes around me. I hate not doing the dishes and not breathing and swimming outside. I hate not talking in a positive manner so...I love eliminating negative words and thoughts but I've been game to go along with this mental exercise and wish one and all love,inner peace and dreams becoming reality and beautiful realities that seem dreamy !
I hate getting up in the morning without having a dose of my drug of choice. 5 years without a habit, and the best thing I can say about it is that the bad days now aren't as bad as the times I was going through withdrawal, or was in trouble, or both.
I hate not making people feel better with my music.
I hate not performing, not rehearsing, not recording / producing not making something new that is better than anything I've ever done before.
I hate not doing graphic design.
I hate not selling music.
I hate not making money for what I create.
I hate not being the biggest influence for good this planet has ever seen.
I hate not managing my appointments ;)
i hate not getting exercise
i hate not eating well
i hate not getting back massages regularly
i hate not being un-stressed
i hate not getting enough face time with friends
i hate not dancing regularly
i hate not getting out in nature enough
i hate not eating moderately
i hate not believing in my dreams
i hate not getting to watch tru blood once a week
i hate not seeing the glass as half full
i hate not knowing that i will find my one true love
i hate not getting a good night's rest
i hate not being able to sleep till i feel rested
i hate not having enough money to do the things i want / need to do
i hate not getting enough sunlight
i hate not spending enough time on galiano island
i hate not being able to wear clothes / hair / makeup that feel and look stylish and good.
i hate not getting enough down / unstructured time
i hate not getting enough chilled out songwriting time
i hate not being able to make my own schedule day to day
i hate not being able to sleep at night or in the morning
i hate not being able to stop my mind
i hate not getting enough cuddles / love
I hate not being appreciated for what i have to offer
I like knowing that Derek Sivers gives to the Universe gifts in amounts, and with qualities that are directly proportional, to those given him. It inspires me to do the same.
I dont hate that i dont do anything enough to write about not doing it...At this moment anyhow.
Breathing ;)
Great question Derek! The answer for me, I hate not being able to encourage people onto greatness. By nature I am a natural encourager and seek to uplift others and help others believe in themselves. I hate not being able to do that in song. I hate not being able to connect with people right where they are at. I hate not being able to be creative. I hate not being able to help others. I hate not being able to share a meal with family and friends. Selah
I hate not following up on kind and thoughtful people, to thank or acknowledge them. Life gets so busy and with rehearsals and performances it can be almost impossible to find the time to write to everybody, but Twitter and Facebook make some of those simple gestures a little easier . Its important that my friends and fans feel they are as important to me as I am to them.
I hate not making money when I need it. I hate no recognition for my hard work.
Oh, I would hate not doing a lot of stuff! I don't even think I can list all of them here...
- singing
- dancing
- performing
- taking photos and share them
- making videos to songs
- being in contact with people
- taking long walks
- writing
- learning about people and life
- having my morning tea ceremony
- eating mashed chestnut with cream and other special Hungarian yummy stuff
- chasing my dreams
- helping others when I am needed
- spending great time with that special one
- seeing my son is doing well
- and so on...
Hey Derek,
Thank you for such a great article. In addition, thanks to all those talented musicians that replied as well. It definitely supports the fact that others feel the same frustration. Nothing is more irritating than knowing you should be practicing for an upcoming show or writing new material for a scheduled project. However, I always seem to find a way to blow it off.
My God, this is how I make my living!
About Ten years ago, I finally resigned to the fact that I would never be picked up by a major label. In the late 80’s and early 90’s I was living in Seattle doing my music thing like everyone else. Needless to say, I was somewhat bitter watching so many of the bands that I shared the same stage with getting killer record deals…these very same whacked out hipsters I would sit in bars getting drunk with night after night. However, I came to realize that it wasn’t them I was pissed at…it was ME! Most of these Cats were extremely gifted and deserved recognition. Moreover, they worked very hard at their craft (when they weren’t riding the Horse…ha-ha!) As for me, there would always be something prohibiting procrastination.
Still, Two decades later and a couple of times in rehab, I sometimes fall into that non-productive mode. Nevertheless, I am getting much better about concentrating on my music. I am now married to a beautiful woman who is a Miss Fitness competitor and she has taught me how to live a structured life. I am eating healthier and getting exercise, which is not only good for the body but the mind and soul as well. By staying clean and sober, I have found myself to be much more focused on the tunes.
Again, I want to say thanks to you Derek and to all those folks who shared some of their thoughts.
Respectfully,
George
I hate not performing with my band. I hate not hanging out with my band - we're like a big family. I hate not doing palm and tarot readings for all my wonderful clients. I hate not doing breathwork sessions with all my wonderful clients who experience the health and emotional benefits of breathwork. I hate not connecting with KIVA's audience and experiencing their ecstasy as we perform through the night. I hate not talking with my loved and cherished friends with whom I share my life experiences and they with me.
I HATE NOT RECORDING AND MIXING!
I hate working all week then not doing something fun on the weekend.
well let's see. oh!yes,i hate having to settle for second best but,that's what 'am going to have to do.I need someone to sing a song of mine in Spanish.Ive been searching for weeks here in the UK to no avail till yesterday after a tip off.I found a spanish singer in a spanish restaurant.He didn't come on till 11.30pm.He didn't impress me all that much but, he's all i know.So i plan to use him for the demo as spanish for the song is requested.I will follow up a version in english to show both sides of the same coin.Yes i hate settling for second best.
I hate not reading books about self-improvement, psychology, and religious devotion even though I don't feel very rock and roll about saying that. I hate not being around my friends and family. I hate not making people laugh by just dancing around and singing and by turning a phrase. I hate not swimming. I hate not being organized at home. I hate not getting out and traveling. I hate not writing more songs and I hate not getting them to the people who really enjoy them. I hate not improvising and making videos. I hate not eating healthy food. I hate not getting my dreams and my journals written and culled for more songs.
I love singing/acting and being creative.
Monica
I hate not composing music
I hate not spending time with people I love
I hate not getting enough outdoors & activity in my life
But most of all, I hate not signing!
But I like the way you are making me think about this!
Not singing. I hate not SINGING.
carefuls here cuz this is profound thinking, and it illuminates lives in a mortal way...
I mean i quit twittering over a past article about doing things rather than talking about things...
What i read from the others says it all, so in an effort to not be redundant i agree with you all about hating to miss musical performances any day of the week....
Therefore the only unlisted thing i hate not to do is not being a better American in resisting government and authority on more fronts than i do already...
Remember WE SHOULD ALWAYS QUESTION AUTHORITY!!!!!!! it founded freedoms now being sucked away from US... the price of freedom is death not being uncomfortable.... recognise the truth if u r free to leave your house u mite not return tis the danger of this existance that makes her beauty shine!!!
Maybe what could be said instead of I hate NOT doing is: I feel GUILTY when I don't do... At least this is how many of us are conditioned as a youngster.
Thanks, Derek for your inspirations and thoughts.
Robert
Derek, you have hit the jackpot with this thought. I hate not doing many of the things musical that others below describe--singing, playing guitar, writing songs, working out the financial viability of performance and recording--nothing original. The "juice" in this thought, for me, is recognizing that so many others are in the exact same place as me--wow. Now I can stop beating myself up for my shortcomings and get on with my list of things to stop hating, by doing them. Thanks!
I find myself always giving information to any group or person with whom I interact. So I guess I would hate not being given the opportunity to do that. Yet I don't go out of my way to facilitate sharing - like inviting myself to speak anywhere (and I am a good speaker, with a lot to offer).
What I hate most is not singing in any given week.
I hate not being able to teach people how to live more sustainably (through the power and community of music)...
Hey Vickie Russell, #181 that is ME!!!except my dear Alzhiemers- ridden mother died last year.
It's been said here, but it's true, and I have to say it myself: I hate NOT doing MY music!
I hate not hearing that there is genius in my work.
I hate not being reviewed enough.
I hate that there are often not enough hours in the day to 'get the inspirations down'
I hate that the ordinary 'gigs' in life that provide rent, etc. don't provide any other creative rewards.
I things I have, password get mess up, sale my music, website, and when someone tell a lie to me.
I HATE THAT WE HAVE TO HATE!!
BUT I HATE NOT BEING ABLE TO RELEASE CREATIVE PRESSURES INSIDE MY CREATIVE TINKING ,THE DAYJOB THING GETS IN MY WAY!!1 BUT I NEED IT TOO,,, HAVE TO FING BALANCE!!!
Not knocking things-to-do out of the way . I have a list that goes back 6 months .
Come on man , I can do it !
I hate not getting my cardiovascular and yoga practice done regularly. I actually have lower energy when I miss more than 2 days.
I hate doing so much muckady muck work (phone calls, emails, etc.) that I don't have time to practice my violin everyday and write new music.
I hate not having the time to check out gigs that my friends play.
I hate not having gigs booked in countries I want to visit.
I hate not having enough time to simply hang with my friends. I have great friends who always inspire me with new ideas.
Gwen Laster
I hate not practicing my violin, my bikram yoga practice, my songwriting with and without collaborators, recording and performing my songs. I also hate not taking a day off to "smell the roses".
At this exact momment, I hate not performing.
I hate not being able to add something to this blog that others haven't already said. More specifically, I hate not completing songs I start writing. I hate not recording the songs I've finished. I hate not performing. I hate longing for an opportunity to perform. I hate being technologically and financially disadvantaged.
I hate it when my tomatoes burst because I didn't harvest them in time!
I hate not teaching, because teaching is when I learn the most. I hate not playing the guitar. Sometimes I'll have a thumb pick on even if there's no guitar in the room. I also hate not programming, because that's my most fruitful creative medium.
Great post! Love your work...
I hate not playing my drums
PLaying drums is my meditation
I hate not recording
Its my true expression and body of work to reflect upon and share with the world.
I hate not connecting with people
This is my life source!
People are wonderful creatures
Thanks for this post and your time!)
I hate not generating money because it makes me feel like I have failed.
I hate not being validated because it is a check in that what I am doing is appreciated
I hate not singing as much as I want because the business is important to
I hate not being with more friends to get me out of my own head to because being alone sucks too!
I hate not playing guitar. Due to other commitments, I have not sat and played guitar for a long time. Playing the guitar helped me through a very bad patch where I was having panic attacks, as it helped me calm down.
I also hate not doing comedy gigs. There's a certain amount of inertia involved in comedy, and if you're not gigging, you feel frustrated because you're not working toward your goals.
I hate the fact I'm taking the time to write this instead of doing what I love...making music!
I hate not writing songs.
I hate not talking to people, one on one, about intensely personal matters (in, or outside of a counselling setting).
I hate not writing books, and articles, and short stories.
I hate not working to build community.
I hate not using my time well (I call it not investing my time).
I'm irritated each time I spend my time watching uneducative programe on television, maybe just to please someone with me.
I hate not being able to find the fire that once burned and kept me going full force toward my dreams. I know it's still there...but I can't find it, even though I search.
I hate not shooting photos
I hate not playing complex polyrhythmic guitar parts.
I hate not doing my own sound engineering.
I hate not playing videogames and not reading comic books.
... those last two tend to get in the way of the first three.
Nice one Derek. The simplicity, universality, and meditative qualities of your blogs and posts are WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.
I hate Not Getting-Ahead as-rapidly as I anticipated.
Yet, I LOVE the Challenge..heh!
I've found that ANY "Forward Momentum" is better than None. And...sometimes..."Slow-Cookin'" makes for Better Results.
So..my Biggest "Hate" of all is Doin' Nothing. (& all you fellow Workaholics can now chime in "Amen!")
Best Wishes,
Stan
I hate not to recognize our egos, because it happens to be the first factor of non evolution in the music, and in life.
I agree with Ken Randall, it's better to love than hate. I think I would prefer to say "I feel incomplete when I'm not playing the piano and composing. I feel incomplete when I'm not creating. I feel incomplete when I don't exercise every day." You get the idea. I enjoy reading the comments, though.
What do you love doing is spot on.
what subsumes you?
what are you utterly addicted to?
what are you not living fully if you're not doing?
(except for breaks when you get variety fresh eyes and see it all anew)
Cheers!
I hope you eventually can get around to all those ideas in your head Derek, I've no doubt we'll all benefit from them!
For years, one of the greatest dilemas for me has been finding a balance between work (pro music lounges...ect.) as opposed to working on the originals more...it seems when I concentrate on a gig...and there is MUCH work to the "job maintenance" of a gig (just because you have a regular gig doesn't mean you'll keep it unless you work at it)...and putting the necessary effort into crafting the original music. A best friend and I have mentioned this for many years...usually if you put the proper time to do one or the other as it should be done...something suffers...spend more time on the originals than the gig (you lose the gig)...spend more time on the "homework" for the gig...the originals get left behind...I've hated the difficulty of not being able to do both as I would've wished...but there's only so much time...hopefully I'll have that balance soon!
I hate not playing piano...even tho' I am quite mediocre, it soothes my soul. I hate not recording and making CD's. I hate NOT writing songs - but fixing them is such hard work, that I just haven't had the time and energy lately to develope my ideas.
It turns out I DON'T miss performing for an audience... hmmm... oh well...
I hate Not completing ideas that I have started. I seem to get inspired, focus on that inspiration, then get inspired again, or should I say side-tracked and never complete as much as I should. This happens a lot with drum practicing ideas,or lesson articles or drum inventions, or fixing up the house.
I hate not making the music I need to make.
I hate taking that time off, I hate that break.
I hate not having time for family get togethers, sometimes.
I hate feeling lousy from time to time.
I hate not traveling enough, or traveling too much.
I think I hate not having that magic touch.
But truly and with this I will end I hate that this song came to an end.
Another good one!!!! This hits me pretty hard because I do write and I feel like I have some things really worth letting other people in on, but I just don't get it out there. I have tried a couple of times, but went the wrong route, (Not knowing the reputable route). That is what I hate not doing!!!
I hate not exercising and I hate not thinking that what I've done or can do is good enough.
I also hate not reading.
I hate not be confident about my shows. Some human error can happen and I spent so much time while singing fighting the negatives. This lack of confidence does not happen all the time, but when it does I tell myself shut up.
I can't come up with anything I hate not doing...
I think we all Hate not doing the things we Love to do.I love playing in a band as much now as I did when I was 15. But as I have gotten older, experience has tough me that, (LIFE GETS IN THE WAY )!
This is the perfect question, Derek. Thanks. I so hate not writing when other things interfere with my TIME.
Art and nature, nature and art.
We all live in the shadow of His wisdom. How infinite the faculties; but we can only pass as human beings.
I hate not making myself do the things I hate not doing. At my age with AARP sending me reminders to join their organization I think back on decisions I made that got me a house, a long marriage, a beautiful child, a pension and a CD distributed by cdBaby. I hate not performing with my bandmates in BoScoDen but, I couldn't see myself leaving my house and family to follow Scott & denis out to Arizona.
I hate not interacting in a good way with my son (teenager).I hate not writing a new song.
Interesting! This is actually how I've been framing my desires lately, too!
I hate not playing music, not playing with people, and so that has made me re-evaluate what I AM doing, and I am taking steps to change my activities and my lifestyle.
I love to put together jam sessions with various friends, and record the music, and listen to it together over a few choice cold beverages. I hate when I have the opportunity, and forget to put it together!
I hate not haveing the tools for moving to the next level.
We are at our capacity of what we do on the level we are on,(MAXED)
It's time to exspand and the tools are not showing up
forward toward the next step.
When we began everything would show up when we put our attention on it and we would move forward to take the next step.
I hate not having the next step show up.
Hey Derek!
Thanks! This one nailed it. I spend day after day working with people on this/these questions (I coach executives, musicians, and the lot whilst blasting away at my own music career), and it is great to see single question that can stop people talking themselves out of action, passion, fulfillment. I think your question is right on the money. And I wonder how many lives you will effect from this - could be interesting to have people write back a measurement factor..."what did I actually do (insert proof) as a result of Derek's question?" It might be the all-time winner from your articles that spurs real action.
Be well, keep the speed & keep the articles comin'
Evan Westerlund
Malmö, Sweden.
Where ever I am, what ever it is, whomsoever it may be, I detest not being . . . simply being in the here and now is all I crave. Thanks for this lovely piece.
What a question! I surely woke me up. I've been "just cruising."
I hate not learning new things - not just about art. Technical thought is so foreign to me, but I'm determined to shake hands with it.
I hate not having enough time to spend hours everyday just painting. I will get up earlier each day not.
I hate not having cool weather in Arizona so I can plein air paint more often. So, I'll travel to Flagstaff, AZ! cooler there.
I hate not knowing what to do next with my art or where to go for advice. Now, thanks to you, I have a great motivator, informative newsletter, role models to watch and read about.
Love your website. Thanks, John Burton, for recommending it to me! See you in Carmel soon!
I hate not being patient, I hate not listening, I hate not writing music, I hate not being with my wire, I hate not learning....
i hate: not writing, not reading, not getting enough sleep, not celebrating life!
I hate not cooking (it's a grounding ritual).
I hate not having time to write in the morning (it's a necessary release).
I hate not performing (it's the one thing I really excel at).
Like many other commenters, I hate not writing songs, except that I feel like song-writing has become a way of life for me, an urge which asserts itself.
I hate not doing anything at all to promote my artistry (out of a long-term aversion to technology).
I hate not reaching out to people out of a habit of isolation.
I hate not being in the mountains. I hate not writing, playing and recording. I hate not being with my wife.
I, like many who have posted on this topic, HATE not performing. My band, Pulpit Red, have had a lot of line-up changes in our 15 year existance. It's always a major set-back...and when we replace band members, it takes months to teach them the songs before we're up and running again. I recently lost my guitarist AND my drummer who was in the band for 10 years. Both were GREAT musicians and hard to replace. No shows since late May and I utterly HATE not playing. HATE, HATE, HATE it !!!
I hate not helping other artists succeed. I don't know all the reasons why God put this desire in me, but I LOVE helping others learn to write, record and publish music. I hate NOT working on my website, NewChristianArtist.com. I hate NOT playing music and I hate NOT worshiping God.
as usual, good insight, Derek!
Guess I'd say it like this: I hate it when I can't seem to... finish things like making those 4 or 5 CD's I've wanted to put together for a long time, finish putting tunes to the pile of lyrics I've written in the last 2 years, make more contacts for gigs, get together with my musical friends, break the day job habit [lol], organize my sheet music, visit family living 1800 miles away... Hey, what's all the procrastination about anyway? Or is it about a subtle change in self talk - change it to "Today I'm going to love getting [fill in the blank] done!"
I hate not talking to my friends, and people that have new ideas and workarounds. That's why I come here. Sometimes my friends don't offer a fresh perspective on things, and I hate not getting new stuff. Thanks for keeping it interesting and for the constant motivation and creativity.
I hate not writing. I hate that I'm so 'other' centred that I sometimes finish a month without an original word in it, because I'm doing laundry or shopping or putting new tires on the car. Two hours a morning, an hour, fifteen minutes, I can't find for my only personal passion. Of course, I hate disease and abuse and all that, duh, that's a given... but not being able to write - wait a second, I'm writing now! Here is the fifteen minutes I need, I just need to stop going online! Thank you!
I hate not being creative, whether that means music, cooking, programming or whatever. I think most of all I miss being in a band, I need to rectify that, I miss the buzz of jamming and playing live.
I hate not being me sometimes
I hate not writing when I feel like it, I hate not singing, I hate not performing and most of all I hate waking up sometimes with a sense of no control over the day.
I MUST PRAY TO God and I must write from his heart.And I must thank and praise God always.
Psalm 107 - 15 : ''Oh that men
would praise the Lord for his goodness,and for his wonderful
works to the children of men''
1. I hate not living
2. I hate not loving
3. I hate not growing
4. I hate not achieving goals
5. I hate not making music and performing
6. I hate not being energized
7. I hate not being focused
8. I hate not being in the studio long enough
9. I hate not eating healthy
10. I hate not being the best me I can be.
Seize the day,
don't let the day seize you.
I hate not sticking to my goals.
I hate not being as healthy as I should.
It speaks for its self ! It's a good artical
Aleee
Genius.