new things are exciting until they feel normal

and how to stay motivated even when play isn't so fun anymore

Experimentation is the pursuit of new experiences.

Everyone should be experimenting.

Experimentation is play.

Play is priceless.

As you age, you forget to play.

Most people play only a few times in their adult lives. People put a permanent pause on play because there’s no product to their play. No product signals no progress. But that’s not entirely true.

You only see the product of play, if you play for a long time.

Program your mind to not expect anything from play. Eliminate all expectations by not tying play to an end result. This way, you continue playing.

Play is fun at first. Gradually, it becomes normal. Almost like a habit.

Commit to play even if you have no idea what you’re doing.
Play even if there is nobody else to play with.
Dedicate time to play each day.
Play the long game.

why people start new things

Excitement is one of the most pursued human experiences.

And excitement is opposite to boredom. Life can get very boring if you’re not playing. When you feel bored, an internal voice can creep in, begging you to wake up. Make a change. Take a chance. Explore something new.

The internal voice will linger and get louder until you listen to it and take action.

Why do you take action in the end?

It’s because of the excitement of starting something new. Your curiosity pushes you forward. The opportunity for exploration has captured your attention. Your imagination starts running wild as it rushes through all the possibilities. A new door is unlocked which offers meaning, enjoyment, and fulfillment.

The excitement is highest in the initial stages.

It’s like plunging into cold water. You feel the rush as your body is submerged. Every morning, you wake up with a new sense of purpose and excitement. A new experience. You are curious to uncover what’s at the bottom of the ocean because you’ve never been there before.

So you keep swimming.

But everything starts to feel normal as you continue swimming downwards. Your surroundings look the same. The initial excitement has worn off.

Romantic relationships can be like this.

At first, new partners can be exciting. You put in minimal effort in navigating the relationship. You just show up because there are no expectations. You don’t really need to swim anywhere. You’re playing. But when the dust settles, you must decide in which direction to swim. If you don’t make an effort to move in a certain direction, the relationship dies. You drown.

And the hardest part is when an experience transitions from new to normal.

You must ask yourself what you really want, if you’re willing to put in the work, and decide if you have the determination and discipline to keep playing.

why most people give up on new things

So, what keeps you going when the excitement of something new wears off? How do you keep yourself motivated? Do you give up?

These are very important questions.

Most people give up on themselves because of their impatience and an inability to adopt a long-term perspective to their play. Nothing worth having is going to come easily. Everything you desire requires diligence, determination, and direction.

Ultimately, people give up because they chase a result.

The best way to play is to stop chasing an outcome. Commit to putting in the work each day. Stop tying your actions to an outcome. Play because it creates meaning and structure in your life. Do it just to play.

Expect nothing, gain everything.

When you become indifferent about an outcome, there is a very small chance you’ll be left disappointed if it doesn’t go your way.

If you can’t be disappointed, you are less likely to give up.
When you’re less likely to give up, you’re more likely to play harder and longer. Playing harder and longer is more likely to lead to results.
If you achieve results, you win.

In the end, your life is just a collection of individual decisions.

What you do today directly determines your future life. It may not matter if you decide not to play today, but the less you play, the more your life remains the same.

But keeping up the consistency of your play is hard.

How do play when play isn’t as exciting as when you first started?

how to stay consistent when play isn’t as fun anymore

When everything feels normal, remind yourself why you started.

The past is a powerful weapon when utilised correctly.

Cast your mind back to the first day you decided to start playing. Your motivation for starting was very strong, wasn’t it? You started because of a desire for change. You can get there, but you must be willing to continue playing.

When your motivation drops, don’t stop.

And start showing up for yourself.

What you do when nobody is watching is so important. No one is going to hold your hand and show you the way. Visualise the type of person you want to become. Commit to living in accordance with this identity each day. It’s hard. But the more consistent you are in your effort, the more confidence you build, and the more confidence you build, the stronger you become.

There is nothing more powerful than discipline.

Lastly, know when to slow down.

You’re not a machine. Even machines will break down when they are over-used. The body sends signals before the mind understands these signals. Take a rest when you need to. Be kind to yourself. Play is important. But so is rest.

Play is most fun when you are well rested.

Are you playing?
Or have you given up on play because your life is just too busy?

~

I hope you found this useful.

I was inspired to share this today because I’ve been writing for more than three months. I still very much enjoy writing, but the excitement has worn off slightly from when I first started. Now, I need to keep myself motivated to continue writing because I made a commitment to myself. I cast my mind back to the day I started, and I refuse to throw in the towel. I am playing long-term games.

To end, I’d like to share this video with you about the importance of play.

Curiosity keeps leading us down new paths – Walt Disney