Well done! I’ve just spent the morning reflecting on my writing and what I want to accomplish with it- especially in the context and timeline of a world I would not have chosen to live in (and yet, here I am). Your piece gives me a much more succinct summary. I choose to create my legacy and build a castle! I’m excited to see what design my castle (and legacy) takes 🏰🤔😁
Another perspective is that... A person who thinks they are cutting a stone, is truly mindful about it. He is focused in carving and cutting JUST THE STONE IN FRONT OF HIM. The second guy is only a little worse than him, as he is thinking about family and money, which are a good extrinsic motivator to do a good job.... The third guy is the worst as the only castle he is building is floating in the air. So you can choose to do anything for any reason, but if you want to excel you need to be focused and present in the moment
I think in the moment this may be true as you’re more present in the here and now, but over the long term I’m a firm believer in setting and working towards achieving goals.
I actually read about this parable last week in the Magic of Thinking Big. It was about brick layers though instead of stone cutters. But same idea, it’s a very illustrative story 😊
The framing might be different, the results for real are the same, a bit like watching the news, however frame it or imagine it, the outcome remains the same for all three stonecutters 🤓🥺📚🔖💯
Love this. Makes me evaluate carefully how I frame my next creative project :)
I really like this story as a thought experiment to evaluate how aligned I feel with my work.
Hope it helps you too :)
Well done! I’ve just spent the morning reflecting on my writing and what I want to accomplish with it- especially in the context and timeline of a world I would not have chosen to live in (and yet, here I am). Your piece gives me a much more succinct summary. I choose to create my legacy and build a castle! I’m excited to see what design my castle (and legacy) takes 🏰🤔😁
Nicely put Mikhael.
We can’t always be in control of our work, our location, and our time — but we can control our outlook.
We can mope about feeling sorry for ourselves or we can accept our situation and make the most of it.
I know what I’d rather do.
Another perspective is that... A person who thinks they are cutting a stone, is truly mindful about it. He is focused in carving and cutting JUST THE STONE IN FRONT OF HIM. The second guy is only a little worse than him, as he is thinking about family and money, which are a good extrinsic motivator to do a good job.... The third guy is the worst as the only castle he is building is floating in the air. So you can choose to do anything for any reason, but if you want to excel you need to be focused and present in the moment
Interesting one.
I think in the moment this may be true as you’re more present in the here and now, but over the long term I’m a firm believer in setting and working towards achieving goals.
It gives a sense purpose.
What Are You Really Building? (Substack Edition)
Person #1: I'm writing an article.
Person #2: I'm publishing a weekly newsletter.
Person #3: I'm building a business.
Nice reframe!
Nice story!
Thanks Hidde!
I learned of this parable from Sahil Bloom’s newsletter a few weeks back.
Definitely worth a read.
I actually read about this parable last week in the Magic of Thinking Big. It was about brick layers though instead of stone cutters. But same idea, it’s a very illustrative story 😊
Do I still have to be one of these three financially screwed categories to play?
No, I’ll let you play — but just this one time.
Spot on. If anyone wants to dive deeper into this theme. Marcus Aurelius "Meditations" is your sure bet.
That Marcus Aurelius guy sounds pretty smart...
Absolutely great advice! Reflecting on your actions and aligning them with your purpose is what drives you towards achieving them.
If you see your job as just a job and nothing more then you're in the wrong place in my opinion.
Quite true.
This story never gets old man.. perspective illuminates purpose.
I love this one. Really hit home for me.
Castle definitely seems like a purer purpose than "an empire". Lots of empire builders these days.
For sure. I can think of a few.
The framing might be different, the results for real are the same, a bit like watching the news, however frame it or imagine it, the outcome remains the same for all three stonecutters 🤓🥺📚🔖💯
It’s not about the outcome. It’s about satisfaction and purpose.
Many successful people are depressed.
Many unsuccessful people are very happy.
Material output is a very small part of this.
True and thank you for your kind reply and explanation 🤓📚🔖💯
Love this Lewis - how we frame our experiences can make all the difference in how we feel about them.