89 - The way we do anything is the way we do everything
Discover why discipline is the foundation of creativity in this bite-sized episode. Learn how simple structure leads to powerful habits and how consistency unlocks your potential.
The Way We Do Anything is the Way We Do Everything
In this episode of Pattern Cognition, we dive into a simple yet profound truth:
The way we do anything is the way we do everything.
This idea, borrowed from Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act, is more than a catchy mantra. It’s a powerful lens for understanding personal excellence. Good habits don’t just create good art. They shape how we show up in every area of life.
Main Takeaways:
1. Creativity Thrives in Structure
Many creatives shy away from discipline, fearing it might kill spontaneity. But the reality is the opposite. Structure doesn’t restrict your creativity, it supports it. Want to become a better dancer? Attend weekly dance classes. Want to master your writing? Set a consistent publishing schedule.
2. You Are the Result of Your Systems
We often blame inconsistency on a lack of willpower. But what if it’s a lack of systems? Discipline isn’t about grinding harder. It’s about building environments that naturally lead to the right actions. It’s about creating the scaffolding for your greatness.
3. Excellence is a Daily Choice
Your daily habits, small and often unnoticed, mirror your broader values. When you take shortcuts in small things, it bleeds into the big stuff, when you train yourself to show up with care and focus, even in the mundane, that energy compounds into mastery.
In just 60 seconds, this episode challenges you to rethink how you work, create, and lead. It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing with intention.
Listen now to Pattern Cognition, your daily spark for high-performance thinking.
Highlights:
00:00 Introduction to Rick Rubin's Creative Wisdom
00:08 The Power of Good Habits in Art
00:11 Discipline and Consistency in Excellence
00:26 Artists and the Myth of Indiscipline
00:30 Creating the Right Environment for Consistency
00:39 Practical Example: Dance Classes
00:46 Building Structures for Creative Habits
Links:
Website: https://www.sidmofya.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sidmofya/
Transcript:
Here are my five favorite quotes from Rick Rubin's book The Creative Act A way of Being Good Habits create good art. The way we do anything is the way we do everything and what this underscores for me is the role of discipline and consistency in creating excellence. Many artists think of themselves as indisciplined. But I think the truth is more about what structure or environment are you working in in order to create the consistency that you need. So for example doing dance classes every Wednesday means you'll practice dancing every Wednesday. So create the structure to be able to create the habits that you need to create.
There’s a myth about business and personal growth that we need to have everything figured out before taking the first step. But some of the most transformative paths begin when the destination is unclear.
In this episode, we explore a quote from Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act, one that challenges conventional thinking and champions momentum over perfection:
“When we don’t yet know where we are going, we don’t wait. We move forward in the dark.”
This line holds deep wisdom for creators, entrepreneurs, and leaders, especially those navigating complex, uncertain landscapes like Africa’s evolving business and innovation scene.
Drawing from personal experience, I reflect on a pivotal moment in my journey: making the leap from the UK to Austin, Texas, to attend a business school I sincerely believed in despite not having the financial or logistical clarity to do so. Friends thought it was a fantasy. But belief fueled action, and action shaped a new reality.
This principle is echoed by Steve Jobs, who famously said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward.”
The key takeaway?
Clarity comes after action, not before.
Why This Matters For You
Whether you're an African entrepreneur launching in a volatile market, a creative working without validation, or a student dreaming beyond your means, the lesson is universal:
You don’t need full vision to take the next step. You need enough belief to begin.
Success stories are often written in hindsight, but they’re lived in moments of uncertainty.
So don’t wait for the lights to come on. Move forward in the dark.
Highlights:
00:00 Introduction to Rick Rubin's Quotes
00:05 Embracing Uncertainty
00:20 Personal Journey to Austin
00:52 Achieving the Impossible
00:54 Reflecting on the Journey
Links:
Website: https://www.sidmofya.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sidmofya/
Transcript:
Here are five of my favorite quotes from Rick Rubin's book The Creative Act. Number three, when we don't yet know where we are going, we don't wait, we move forward in the dark. I love this 'cause it encourages action despite uncertainty. And Steve Jobs is famous for saying, we connect the dots looking backwards.
And it reminds me of, uh, a time when I was, um, trying to go from the uk. To Austin, Texas to go for a business school that I really wanted to go to, um, but didn't really have the money or the resources to do it. Um, but felt very strongly that this was the right thing to do. Um, so we made our plans and, um, some of my friends said we were in La la land, um, but we truly believed we were gonna do it.
And, um. And thankfully we did it. And I look at that part of my journey as, uh, as very critical to the rest of the journey that happened after. Um, so I totally believe in this and I love this quote. I.