One of the most powerful catalysts for inspiration is curiosity. Cultivating a sense of wonder about the world around you can lead to all sorts of discoveries.
Ask questions, explore new ideas, and challenge old assumptions. When you nurture your curiosity, you open yourself up to a vast array of possibilities and stimulate your mind to find inspiration in unexpected places.
I sometimes feel that this blog is too scattered. Sort of an incoherent catch-all for random thoughts, introspections, and curiosities. Actually, fairly apt, given the name Michael’s Musings.
It’s because I have a broad interest in a number of topics. At one point, I mused that each day would have something assigned to it. That fell by the wayside.
We can’t always control what we’re going to write about. Certainly you can direct your thoughts in this way or that, but it’s easy to get distracted, or feel less enthused about a topic than another on a particular day. And given that you should sit down and write each day, it seems less important to care about which topic you should be focusing on.
And more important to just be writing.
The sooner we start, the sooner we amass knowledge and grow both personally and professionally. Doing that typically requires us to fail.
Someone (likely) smart once said “Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.”
John C. Maxwell altered it a bit, quipping “It’s said that a wise person learns from his mistakes. A wiser one learns from others’ mistakes. But the wisest person of all learns from others’ successes.”
Okay. Yes. You can readily learn from others’ successes and mistakes. That doesn’t change the fact that you’re going to fall flat on your rear from time to time. And when you do, you have to get up. You have to start again. Being ready to fail again. And failing better.
It’s all about gaining valuable experience and learning from our mistakes. Whether it’s starting a new business, pursuing a passion project, or embarking on a personal journey, each step we take brings us closer to mastery.
We can gain insights, refine our skills, and adapt along the way.
I’ll admit. I am a bit of a procrastinator. I was speaking with a friend about work ethics, and the idea of procrastination stemming from perfectionism was an issue for someone. And that’s not me. I am nowhere near a perfectionist, partially in the belief that my work is good enough, and partially from the fact that, at some point, it just has to ship.
And yet, I procrastinate…
It’s a common barrier among creatives, hindering progress and growth. We tend to postpone tasks, waiting for the right time or seeking perfection.
Yesterday’s advice was just to start. By starting, we break the cycle of procrastination and establish momentum.
Taking action empowers us to overcome the fears that we may have – either of failure or of success. Fears of being rejected or being elevated. Getting past procrastination and establishing momentum – that’s how to get things done.
We often find ourselves contemplating new goals, dreams, and aspirations. And in the planning, it is all too easy to get caught up – analyzing, imagining, waiting for the perfect moment.
Thing is, the most important part of achieving success is to simply start.
Taking that first step towards our goals not only propels us forward but also sets us on a path of growth and accomplishment.
I was driving by some people out on the street corner, and they were holding signs warning of coming judgments. And I realized that a lot of what we’re taught about being a good person comes with or else. Be good, or else. Do this, or else. And so on.
When I think, using because would be more effective. Be good because it can bring happiness. Not, or else you’ll be miserable. Maybe they say the same thing. Just in a different way.
A lot of the past few months has been mired in dealing with issues in my profession. There’s been the strikes (WGA and SAG-AFTRA); a film that my partner and I walked away from; and the push to bring a new project into production. While the day-to-day flows easily enough, the overarching plan is one that’s weighed heavily on my mind.
And it isn’t that it’s bad. Or good. It just is. I’ve had to readjust. Pivot, as my partner has said numerous times.
And sometimes that’s the way it works. In Dale Carnegie’s How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, he advocates the idea of Sir William Osier, to live in “day tight compartments”. That is, “taking the world in strict 24-hour increments, letting neither yesterday nor tomorrow be a worry today”.
And such it is – that today is the day we have to live. The only day we actually have to contend with.
When I think about why I don’t do the things I’m supposed to do, I would often claim distractions. But that’s not really it. It isn’t that I’m actively doing something I said I would, and then I get distracted. It’s that I choose to not.
And that’s what it is. Choice. We make the choice to not do something. If a distraction comes along, then we choose to get distracted.
I wanted to make sure that I started following through on what I said I would do. Which, I’ve been pretty good about. But there’s always room for improvement.
Well… The longer it sits, the harder it is to return to it. It’s like the gym. Or a diet. Or any positive activity you’d like to incorporate into your life.
If you step away from it, you can let it go for too long.
Which is why I’m here today. Because it doesn’t matter whether or not you did it yesterday. What matters is whether you’re able to do it today.
And today is a good first step to get you to tomorrow.
The term “viral” can refer to content that spreads rapidly and extensively through online channels, such as social media platforms, websites, and email. While viral content has become synonymous with internet culture, its origins can be traced back to the early days of the web.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the internet saw the emergence of memes, which are humorous or satirical images, videos, or text that are widely shared and replicated. One of the earliest examples of a viral meme was the “Dancing Baby,” a 3D animation that became a sensation and was shared via email chains.
Recognizing the power of viral content, marketers started leveraging it as a tool to promote their brands and products. Companies began creating content that was specifically designed to go viral, with the hope of reaching millions of potential customers at a fraction of the cost of traditional advertising.
One of the early examples of successful viral marketing was the “Will It Blend?” campaign by Blendtec. The company created a series of videos showcasing their blender’s ability to blend various objects, including iPhones and golf balls. These videos garnered millions of views and significantly boosted Blendtec’s brand awareness.
Viral content has also had a profound impact on popular culture. Memes, in particular, have become a ubiquitous part of internet culture, with new ones constantly emerging and spreading like wildfire. Memes often reflect societal trends, current events, or shared experiences, and they serve as a form of social commentary and self-expression.
Moreover, viral content has the power to shape public opinion and influence social movements. Hashtags like #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter gained viral traction, leading to widespread awareness and discussions about important social issues.
As technology continues to evolve, it is likely that viral content will continue to play a significant role in our lives, both as a marketing tool and as a reflection of our cultural zeitgeist. Understanding the history and impact of viral content allows us to appreciate the ever-changing landscape of the digital world.
