I stare at the blinking cursor, and it taunts me.

“Write something, write something…”

I close my eyes and listen to the sound of rain lightly tapping against the window.

I really don’t feel like showing up here today, because the words certainly don’t seem to be showing up for me. Closing my eyes I imagine myself curled up on my bed with a bit of chocolate and that TV series rerun I’m currently engrossed in (for curious minds it’s: BBC’s Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens). To be honest, writing has felt like something else that I *just need to do.*

What am I accomplishing anyways? It’s a question that haunts me. I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t settled it once and for all, but maybe it’s not so bad that I haven’t. Maybe asking, “why?” is something we should never stop asking.

I close my laptop and move on to some other task. Yes, indeedy, I procrastinate.

Fast forward to the next day, it’s a Friday and I’m meeting my friend for coffee at my favorite coffee shop. I tell her I’ve not felt like doing the things that I know I need to do. I tell her I just don't feel like writing.  She’s kind and she listens attentively. Her response is noteworthy:  

“Did you know that when you press through the discomfort and complete the task, you actually strengthen a part of your brain?”

It’s true! Here’s the science behind it from the National Library of Medicine:

“The anterior mid-cingulate cortex (aMCC) is the part of the brain that grows when doing hard things. Functions of the aMCC are willpower, persistence, resilience, decision-making, and pain tolerance. When an individual engages in challenging tasks that require effort and perseverance, the aMCC is activated. This activation stimulates the growth of new neurons and synapses in the aMCC, making it stronger and more efficient.

With the growth of the aMCC one can experience: improved mental toughness, increased willpower, enhanced resilience, better ability to overcome challenges, and reduced stress and anxiety.”

I had, indeed, heard the science behind this before, but the fact was I needed to hear it again, today. I needed to hear that my comfort isn’t always the thing that needs to reign. I needed to hear that doing the hard thing, is growing my capacity. I needed to hear the gentle encouragement to just keep going. I needed to hear that participating in actions that have delayed gratification, is good for me.

So, if you’re reading these words today and you know that you should be doing something to further hone your craft or your calling, but you don’t want to, let me be your well-timed encouragement today:

Just do it.

Pick up your laptop and open that word document.

Pick up that brush.

Grab your camera. 

Put down your phone.

Reward yourself when you’re done.

I promise, you’ll be glad that you did.