Stop With the 'Do, Have, Be' Thinking–Instead Try 'Be, Do, Have'

It’s August, which means Summer is in full swing, and I haven’t had much time to think about this blog. And now it’s the end of the month! 

So in the interest of maintaining posting discipline, I’m using this month to propose a quick way to reorient our thinking when we feel like we won’t ever be able to accomplish a goal or make a change that’s important to us.

This comes from a meditation I did earlier this week, when I listened to a track by Saqib Rizvi on Insight Timer, in which he talks about the “do, have, be” mindset and how it holds us back.

For example, if you want to be a writer, you might think you have to write a lot (do), and then have a book contract (have), before you can call yourself a writer (be). In other words, our identity as a writer is contingent on modern social and economic norms about what being a writer is. 

Because it’s hard for many of us to find time to write (or fill in your own blank!) and even harder to secure a book contract, we may never actually reach our goal of being a writer. 

What if, instead, we followed a “be, do, have” mindset? In this case, we’d think of ourselves as a writer if it’s something we are good at and/or gives us a sense of pleasure, fun, or accomplishment (be). If we focus on the good things that being a writer gives us, it will likely be easier for us to keep actually writing (do). And, perhaps, a joy-based practice might actually result in a book contract–or a weekly column in a local publication, a meaningful Substack or blog, etc. (have). 

As I listened to Rizvi’s track, I thought a bit about my own learnings around the idea that confidence comes by doing. In other words–in my case–I wasn’t going to feel like I was a decent photographer or make any photography sales until I actually started being a photographer. The first 10,000 photos or so were awful, but after that they got pretty good–and I was having fun the entire time. 

Fly Catcher in the Provincetown Marsh.

That joy kept–keeps!–me going as a photographer (and in the rest of my life, if I’m doing it right!).

I hope this resonates with you–I’m always happy to hear if that is the case.

And, most of all, do everything you can to fight for the time and resources to do things that bring you joy. Joy and creativity are two things that can help thwart authoritarians, and we all need to do that in 2025.

Be well, find your joy, fight the authoritarians.