Siri, Write a Blog Post
(Day Fifty-One)
This is going to be a burst of random thoughts.
I don't feel like writing at all. Michael suggested I get Siri to write a blog post for me, but when you say "Siri, write a blog post," she just does a web search. Totally unhelpful.
I went to my first Fundamentals of Photography class today -- it was fun. I have a homework assignment on iso setting and different light exposures. What with this class the next four weeks and then my Ruby workshop on the 2nd-3rd, I'm feeling suitably educational.
Someone shared this article on FB today: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative. I like #2: "Don't wait until you know who you are to get started."
"You have to start doing the work you want to be doing by copying your heroes; then, go beyond imitation to emulation and finally, you will end up with your own version of the thing you want to be doing."
This is good advice. It's daunting to think of starting from scratch and having to prove yourself. Copying your heroes gives you a starting point -- then once you get going it's much easier to make it your own.
I also think #3 is good advice as Moriya and I work on Olive & Clyde:
"It’s important to create things that you will use instead of something for someone else. Austin claims that if you do that, even in the worst case scenario you will have one customer — yourself."
Since we're approaching our business as if we were the customer, we're already on our way with that one. And I love each of our cards enough to send them myself -- they're 100% something I would search out and buy. I think it's really important to feel that way about your product, because then you're fully invested in making your products great and understanding where your buyers are coming from.
Annnnnd I think this one is important for me, as well, especially as I try to find time to fit other things in my life:
"Be Boring. Establishing and keeping a routine can be even more important than having a lot of time."
I don't want to be boring, but let's face it, I am pretty boring sometimes. I'm totally okay with that. The best thing about these stupid blog posts I've been writing is that I've developed a habit where I write every day. I think about writing on a regular basis, and I sit down and force myself to churn this crap out. That's the important thing -- that's exactly what I should be doing. I'm not going to let myself stop in 9 days -- it'll just sometimes move elsewhere, where I don't have to worry about what I say being public :)
But my favorite creativity tip is the last one -- I think it relates to what I wrote about the other day in terms of catalyst topics and writer's block:
"Nothing is more paralysing than the idea of limitless possibilities. The best way to get over creative block is to simply place some constraints on yourself."
So now that I've summed up almost half of that article for you, you don't even have to read it. You're welcome. Here's another highly relevant one: "'Hangry' People Get More Aggressive Against Their Spouses."
This is going to be a burst of random thoughts.
I don't feel like writing at all. Michael suggested I get Siri to write a blog post for me, but when you say "Siri, write a blog post," she just does a web search. Totally unhelpful.
I went to my first Fundamentals of Photography class today -- it was fun. I have a homework assignment on iso setting and different light exposures. What with this class the next four weeks and then my Ruby workshop on the 2nd-3rd, I'm feeling suitably educational.
Someone shared this article on FB today: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative. I like #2: "Don't wait until you know who you are to get started."
"You have to start doing the work you want to be doing by copying your heroes; then, go beyond imitation to emulation and finally, you will end up with your own version of the thing you want to be doing."
This is good advice. It's daunting to think of starting from scratch and having to prove yourself. Copying your heroes gives you a starting point -- then once you get going it's much easier to make it your own.
I also think #3 is good advice as Moriya and I work on Olive & Clyde:
"It’s important to create things that you will use instead of something for someone else. Austin claims that if you do that, even in the worst case scenario you will have one customer — yourself."
Since we're approaching our business as if we were the customer, we're already on our way with that one. And I love each of our cards enough to send them myself -- they're 100% something I would search out and buy. I think it's really important to feel that way about your product, because then you're fully invested in making your products great and understanding where your buyers are coming from.
Annnnnd I think this one is important for me, as well, especially as I try to find time to fit other things in my life:
"Be Boring. Establishing and keeping a routine can be even more important than having a lot of time."
I don't want to be boring, but let's face it, I am pretty boring sometimes. I'm totally okay with that. The best thing about these stupid blog posts I've been writing is that I've developed a habit where I write every day. I think about writing on a regular basis, and I sit down and force myself to churn this crap out. That's the important thing -- that's exactly what I should be doing. I'm not going to let myself stop in 9 days -- it'll just sometimes move elsewhere, where I don't have to worry about what I say being public :)
But my favorite creativity tip is the last one -- I think it relates to what I wrote about the other day in terms of catalyst topics and writer's block:
"Nothing is more paralysing than the idea of limitless possibilities. The best way to get over creative block is to simply place some constraints on yourself."
So now that I've summed up almost half of that article for you, you don't even have to read it. You're welcome. Here's another highly relevant one: "'Hangry' People Get More Aggressive Against Their Spouses."