“Write relentlessly, until you find your voice. Then, use it.” – David Sedaris
What isn’t explicit is where the words go till you find your voice.
But guess what? Get them out there!
As Voltaire said, “Le mieux est l’ennemi du bien”
Translation: “The best is the enemy of the good” (aka “The perfect is the enemy of the good”).
In Benjamin Franklin’s famous schedule, he made notation of asking, upon rising, “What good shall I do in the world today?”
And, in the evening, asking, “What good did I do in the world today?”
It feels as if we’re missing some of this contemplation – both individually, as well as in the broader world.
Sometimes, we’re just looking for words. That’s a part of who we are.
And it isn’t that the words aren’t there. We seem to possess a commendable aptitude for verbal dialogue.
What we lack is the direction with which to take our words. Our how to engage in that meaningful dialogue with each other.
After the fear to start is bypassed, you get some steam.
It’s when you get down into it that it becomes harder. That the time to progress begins to stretch.
It’s at this point that many lose their motivation. The advancement slows, and you begin to question if it’s even worth it.
It is.
It may seem difficult to begin something new.
However, I suppose it isn’t.
Those early gains when beginning are quite motivating, and initial steps always originate from a desire to accomplish something.
So its just the uncertainty of the end result that dissuades us.
There’s a patience inherent in art that our fast-paced world often overlooks.
While we’re all constantly seeking quick wins and overnight successes, genuine art takes its time.
Perhaps that’s why authentic artistic creations feel so distinct from everything else in our hurried existence. They stubbornly resist the pressure of rushing.
Community isn’t something that just happens – it’s something you tend to, like a garden.
It’s showing up when you said you would.
It’s remembering the small details someone mentioned last time.
It’s creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and welcome.
It isn’t about grand gestures, but rather the quiet consistency of care.
I sometimes feel that I don’t have enough completed.
And, I believe there is a highly probable reason behind my lack of completed work – an inability to maintain consistent motivation for any given project.
I have no trouble simply expressing my thoughts and ideas. Switching between projects. Spewing forth crazy scenarios or out of the box thinking.
However, the challenge I face lies in actually completing something.
This has turned out to be an insidious issue of mine.
Perfectionism is a sneaky form of procrastination. Sometimes “good, enough” – as Seth Godin puts it – isn’t settling, it’s shipping.
It’s choosing to let something exist in the world, imperfect but real, rather than keeping it forever in the realm of “almost ready.”
Because here’s the thing: most of the time, done is better than perfect.
Not really about time management, but about a changing culture. A society shifting to make way for constant everything.
Streaming video, 24-hour television stations, radio (if anyone still listens), and social media.
There’s a new lost generation, and we’re watching it right now.
Where is that going to lead us?
