Some Old Encouragement
The video below is a couple years old, but I was reminded of it today when a friend posted it on his Facebook page. Knowing there’s lots of creative types : ) who follow my blog I thought I’d share it if you;re in need of some motivation/encouragement – it works for me!
The clip is an interview with Ira Glass of “This American Life” on storytelling. He makes the point that when they’re starting out, every creative person goes through a phase of creating things that are disappointing to themselves. The phase often lasts for years. (bah!) Some people quit at that stage and others power through and become really great at what they do. How? Make yourself keep making things. Get obligated to deliver your work to other people, get deadlines, make yourself start and finish things over and over any way that works. And inevitably you will get better.
Just watch the video, Ira says it much more convincingly! : )
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by brigittedale, Melissa Jun Rowley. Melissa Jun Rowley said: an encouraging video for anyone creative: ira glass on being disappointed in the things you create: http://bit.ly/6emQJ6 (via @brigittedale) [...]
Thanks for posting this! I hadn’t seen it before! I loved hearing his old stuff. It was pretty bad.
This is so exactly right.
aw, I love Ira Glass. great now I feel like I should get out my paints and easel from the garage, lol.
Never heard of this guy before! Interesting!
Love is work
I seem to be repeating myself now.
Hey,
This is interesting and indeed, encouraging.
I wrestled with this whole issue throughout School and then into University, often feeling that my skill did not match the ideas, or at least the creative intent that was germenating inside me.
It wasn’t until my final year at University I actually produced a piece of product design that satisfied at least part of my hope to make something useful and beautiful.
I’m now creating motion graphics, some of which I love, actually more often than not I produce pieces I like now, but it took a long time to hone my skills for ditching a creative idea that was going nowhere to move onto richer pastures.
Thanks for sharing Brigitte, ‘c’est tres interessant’.
Peas : )
Portfolio
How easy it is to get stuck in that phase! It is such a disappointment when you are your own harshest critic – the dread from creating work that doesn’t meet your own expectations replaces the enthusiasm for doing the creating. We all need to be reminded of the lengthy road to quality that is paved with quantity. Thanks for posting this, Brigitte!
Thanks! I definitely needed some encouragement. I’m totally stuck with a project right now… ugh!
Loved watching this – and it is something that’s very, very true… it breaks my heart when I see people taking on projects that make them happy, or make themselves feel challenged and engaged… and then they let it die out because what they want takes too long.
@Mike, glad you liked this – especially from your perspective, I think of you as kind of a poster child for what you can do by powering through! (what you’re doing at projectpedal.com)
Good post and good timing as well. Personally I’m hitting some walls with two personal projects and its nice to hear from someone who has “made it” that he stumbled along the way as well.
This video reminds me off two quotes that I really like and keep telling myself & since ppl are sharing I’d like to share the two quotes:
The first quote is about the roadblocks we face when trying to achieve our goals:
“The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out; the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. The brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They are there to stop the other people!” – Randy Paush
The second quote I’m not sure who said it, but its one of my favourites: “We live moving forward and learn looking backwards.”
[...] Some Old Encouragement [...]
For some more inspiration, check out Seth Godin’s new (free) eBook on some big-picture thinking: http://bit.ly/7FkWbD
He says “like” a lot. But his words are extremely helpful and motivational! thanks, brigitte.
Congrats on winning the Good Mood gig, Bridge! Voted many times for you!
Brigitte,
Yay!!! You won!
I am so so pleased for you, I feel proud and am really thankful to have been a part of the vote. They’ve made an excellent decision, you are clearly the best gal for the job and addictively engaging, really looking forward to your daily blog posts. Where will they be posted? Can you drop a link to them here each day?
Hope you have a great Christmas with the family, enjoy Nebraska and build a snowman for your fans with a big wink and a thumbs up.
Happy Christmas Brig, you’re a winner.
All the best
Peas
M : )
thisamericanlife.org
Please donate and help keep this show on the air. I do.
Easily the most important video (for grounding/motivation) I’ll see today. Most likely the most important video I’ll see tomorrow as well…
Thanks for posting.
Mike
I’ve been looking all over for this!
Thanks.
Thank you so much, Great information… You keep writing and I’ll keep reading.
yay thanks for this video. great way to start the week with.
also, this advice from chuck close is great too:
http://peterchunmaowu.wordpress.com/2009/07/22/chuck-close/
Very true, great post… Keem ‘em coming!