On this day

September 7th

Editing with Robbie Swale

September 7, 2022

How do we navigate the balance between starting, sustaining, and stopping creative or personal endeavors?

The conversation examines the tension between perfectionism and the courage to share unfinished work.

It’s such a shame to have all these [things] on the shelves in the back of our minds or folders in our computers, all these things that we’ve kept back because they’re not perfect, or because we think they might not be right— We never know who will be changed by the things we make.

~ Robbie Swale (22:35)

The discussion covers challenges in managing creative processes and personal goals, focusing on a mission to appear on 100 podcasts. The complexities of handling output from such a challenge and the importance of deciding when to stop or persist are examined. This is tied to the broader question of balancing effort with strategic decisions in any endeavor.

Another key topic is overcoming perfectionism and fear of sharing creative work. Using quotes from poets and authors, the conversation emphasizes the importance of releasing work even if it feels incomplete. The necessity of starting projects and creating habits that reduce resistance to action is also highlighted. Tools like activation energy adjustments and reminders are presented as practical aids for staying focused and intentional.

Takeaways

Importance of starting — Even the hardest creative projects begin with the first step.

Navigating perfectionism — Releasing work imperfectly can still provide value to others.

Concept of “above or below the line” — A framework for self-awareness and decision-making.

Activation energy — Raising or lowering activation energy to influence habits effectively.

Sharing work — Withholding creativity can deprive others of valuable insights.

Practical tools for reflection — Using reminders and notifications to stay mindful.

The value of abandoning over-polishing — Deciding when a project is “good enough” to share.

Resources

The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership — by Jim Detmer, Diana Chapman, and Kaley Klemp; A guide to living with intentionality and focus.

The Practice — by Seth Godin; A book emphasizing the value of creativity and shipping work.

David Gemmell’s posthumously released books — Novels that captivated audiences even after the author’s passing.

The Quitting Quadrant — by Sara Wheeler; A tool to evaluate decisions about quitting.

Lead, Learn, Change Podcast — by David Reynolds; A podcast about education and leadership.

“Remind Me” and “Mind Jogger” — Apps for creating random notifications for mindfulness and presence.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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*Throws down controller*

September 7, 2022

That’s the thing about aggregation: one can understand how it works, and yet be powerless to resist its incentives. It seems foolhardy to think that this might be true for economics and not true for ideas, even — especially! — if we are sure they are correct.

~ Ben Thompson from, The Current Thing – Stratechery by Ben Thompson

slip:4usate3.

Sometimes I read things on the Internet and I want to throw my keyboard (my title is a reference to 1980s console games where one might get furious, and rage-quit by throwing the game’s controller.) Partly, my urge to rage-quit is from exasperation that Thompson keeps cranking out these great articles (and his podcasts Dithering and Exponent and this other thing he did that is awesome but you wouldn’t understand because I can’t explain it well) while I’m over here plinking away writing snarky blog posts when I should be earning a living.

But also because of the point of the article which is found in my pull-quote of the entire final paragraph.

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True nature of the good

September 7, 2021

What, then, is wrong with you? I tell you, it is this, that you have neglected and corrupted that part of you, whatever it may be, with which we feel desire or aversion, and the impulse to act or not to act. Neglected in what way? By letting it remian ignorant of the true nature of the good, to which it was born, and of the nature of evil, and of what it has as its own and what is not its own.

~ Epictetus

slip:4a321.

The only comparison you should make

September 7, 2013

Now, I am not saying this to downplay their hard work to get to where they are; I don’t want you saying things like, “I don’t have their genetics or resources, so why even bother?”

Instead, I want you to know that there will ALWAYS be somebody leaner, bigger, faster, or stronger than you. There will always be somebody who’s younger, better looking, and had more success than you. Until you learn to accept that, you’ll never be truly happy.

~ Steve Kamb from, The ONE Comparison You Should Make Today | Nerd Fitness

slip:4unebo18.

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Rum

September 7, 2012

I can’t read it, but I know what to do with it! (rum. must. not. drink. before. noon.) Thanks E&A!

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