--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Do you want to do this thing? Sit down…" description: "\"Do you want to do this thing? Sit down and do it. Are you not writing? Keep sitting there. Does it not feel right? Keep sitting there. Think of yoursel..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/ann-patchett-670_awful_do-you-want-to-do-this-thing-sit-down-an_1046364.jpg" --- # Do you want to do this thing? Sit down and do it. Are you… ![“Do you want to do this thing? Sit down and do it. Are you not writing? Keep sitting there. Does it not feel right? Keep sitting there. Think of yourself as a monk walking the path to enlightenment. Think of yourself as a high school senior wanting to be a neurosurgeon. Is it possible? Yes. Is…” quote by Ann Patchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/ann-patchett-670_awful_do-you-want-to-do-this-thing-sit-down-an_1046364.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/ann-patchett-670_awful_do-you-want-to-do-this-thing-sit-down-an_1046364.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/084/ann-patchett-670_awful_do-you-want-to-do-this-thing-sit-down-an_1046364.jpg) > “Do you want to do this thing? Sit down and do it. Are you not writing? Keep sitting there. Does it not feel right? Keep sitting there. Think of yourself as a monk walking the path to enlightenment. Think of yourself as a high school senior wanting to be a neurosurgeon. Is it possible? Yes. Is there some shortcut? Not one I've found. Writing is a miserable, awful business. Stay with it. It is better than anything in the world.” [Ann Patchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-patchett/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Encourages disciplined, persistent effort in writing, comparing it to monastic practice and professional ambition. **In simple terms:** Write regularly despite discomfort; persistence leads to mastery. Key Takeaway Write daily, accept the struggle. Themes discipline creativity perseverance self‑growth Mood reflective motivational serious Type creative advice inspirational When to use this quote - daily writing - creative blocks - career planning - self‑reflection Key Concepts habit formation mindset goal setting Questions to Reflect On - What daily routine can sustain your creative work? - How do you balance discipline with inspiration? A Different Perspective No shortcut exists; the process can be painful and isolating. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enlightenment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightenment/) [High school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-school/) [High school senior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-school-senior/) [Miserable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miserable/) [Monk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monk/) [Neurosurgeons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neurosurgeons/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Path to enlightenment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path-to-enlightenment/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Shortcuts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shortcuts/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Writing is a miserable, awful business. 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