Brendan Leonard is the author of the books I Hate Running and You Can Too, and MAKE IT: 50 Myths and Truths About Creating. He was asked by a fellow writer and runner about the most challenging thing in the creative process, and he came up with this list of eight things that those two things - running and the creative process - have in common. And one of the things that strike me the most is the fact that these two things are fueled by self-motivation. It's true. No one is making you do these things. You have to find the drive and the focus to accomplish them yourself, otherwise, you won't reach your goals and get far.
The other thing that resonated with me in his list is the fact that both of these activities are uncomfortable. The only way that you will find it bearable is if you do it a lot. Because by then, you will have become unfazed by the discomfort and simply go with the flow.
(Image credit: Brendan Leonard)