Stay curious

We often talk about how failure is just a learning opportunity – a way to grow. But how do we do it? How do we step back and objectively look at what happened with an eye toward growth? The best idea I’ve found is to approach it with curiosity. Then go further and pretend that whatever happened, happened to someone else and begin to ask questions like…

“Why didn’t that turn out the way he/she envisioned?”

“What did he/she forget about the basics?”

“Would more (or less) time have made a difference?”

“Was he/she trying to work too fast?”

“Was it a lack of preparation?”

“Did he/she accept boundaries that were false?”

These kinds of questions are especially important as we begin any new kind of work. As we learn and grow it’s important to keep this in mind:

“The lack of curiosity (particularly in regard to our failures) means the death of any new work.”  Blaine Hogan

PIC-OF-THE-WEEK

I've been trying to get this photo of our town Main St. without cars for quite awhile.

The big Rrrrr

If you've ever sat down to create something, especially if it's for other people and has a deadline, you've probably encountered the Big R - RESISTANCE. Resistance is that unnamed source that tries to block creative output. It tries to tell you that you have no business trying to act or write or compose or draw because, well, just because.

I heard someone talking about resistance and he said that great screen writers overcome it by starting at the climax of the story - the place where everything comes together and gets resolved. Then they just write backwards and let the story unfold.

I wonder if this would work for other types of creativity? Could an artist start with the finished painting and visualize it before she starts? Could a photographer start with an idea of what subject and mood he wants before he begins taking photos? Before you start your next creative piece, take a moment to think and visualize what the perfect outcome would be. Add as much detail as you possibly can. Then move toward that outcome and let the resistance fade away.

 PIC-OF-THE-WEEK

 I like looking for "concept photos" and these signs just went together. Found them on my lunch break the other day.