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The amazing thing about writing is this: anyone can do it. It’s all the other stuff that gets in the way.
Within the past two or three years, it has become popular to say sentences with this structure: “I just couldn’t be more _______!” (Fill in the blank with whatever emotion you want.) One of the reasons it bothers me is because it’s not true.
In my years producing commercials, I’ve been involved in countless creative builds. This required me to digest the brand, understand the product, learn the audience, and create something that speaks to all of that. Now, I do something way easier.
Jarred always played with an intensity. Watching him take his at-bats, you could see a stern and determined brow. When he struck out, he walked back to the dugout with a look of pure disgust, flabbergasted that he didn’t get a hit.
When you find yourself in a moment of stress, there are two prevailing pieces of advice. Some people will say, “just be present.” Other people will say, “this isn’t going to matter in five years, so stop worrying about it.” Neither one feels particularly helpful when you’re in a moment of stress.
Take a look at your desk right now. Is it messy? Personally, I’ve got two empty water bottles, one empty mug, one hard drive, one pair of sunglasses, and some dust on my desk. How does a messy workspace make you feel? How does it impact your work?
At the end of 2023, I got burned out on producing. A few stressful projects in a row left me feeling overwhelmed by the idea of dealing with clients and crew, and I didn’t work on a major production for four months.
At the end of every year in my twenties, I looked back with more regret. I regretted the things I didn’t accomplish. I regretted the projects that didn’t come to life, and the lack of progress in my career.
When I started investing money into making content for Instagram in the spring of 2023, I set a few ground rules. I wouldn’t do trends. I wouldn’t do anything cheesy. I wouldn’t do any annoying hooks.
When I started my career, I didn’t even know the rules. I made simple mistakes, stepped on toes, and missed easy opportunities. This was just the path I had to take to learn the “rules.”
Isn’t this the journey of every artist? We borrow from our favorites. We steal things that look and sound good. We imitate the techniques and styles of other people in order to learn.
We all have stupid, unfinished projects that we don’t talk about.
Recently, a friend of mine said he doesn’t take any meetings in the mornings, so he can focus on his fitness and creative work. Must be nice…I thought to myself. I have morning meetings at least once a week.
It’s alright to do something because you enjoy it. Not everything needs to have a capitalistic justification.