Smallest Unit of Available Genius
“Could you rewrite one paragraph of Fahrenheit 451 and make it better than Bradbury’s version? Could you write one new page for the screenplay of The Matrix? Can you play just one note on the clarinet that’s worth listening to? Instead of focusing on a masterpiece, ask yourself, What’s the smallest unit of available genius?”
–Seth Godin, The Practice
If you feel stuck, it’s probably because you’re thinking about a masterpiece. You’ve got an invisible audience standing over your shoulder. You’re thinking too much about your brand, and your reputation, and what people will think.
Forget about all that. Start by covering your favorite song. Start by rewriting one of your favorite paragraphs. Start by reciting a favorite monologue. When John Mayer covered Free Fallin’ by Tom Petty in his iconic Where The Light Is show, he knew he wasn’t creating something original. But the acoustic rendition with soaring falsetto was exactly what the audience never knew they always wanted, even though they heard Petty’s version countless times.
The point here is that you don’t need to be a completely original prodigious genius for your work to be meaningful. If complete originality is your standard, you’ve already set an impossible bar. But if making something meaningful for someone else is the goal, then you already know how to do that. You’ve made things before that your family and friends like a lot.
Start there and see where it takes you.
Thanks for reading! Please share this article with a friend or on social.
Are you a digital creator? Read more posts for you here.
5 Steps To Achieve Your Creative Goals.
