The video below contains some tremendous advice from This American Life's Ira Glass. Essentially, Glass encourages creative professionals to persevere in their creative endeavors even when they know that the quality of their work isn't up to their own standards. The same advice could be applied to any profession or any endeavor we are passionate about. That is, if something is worth being done, it is worth being done poorly. Where the test comes is whether or not we're willing to continue doing it poorly until we find a way to do it well.
For those that have never listened to the Glass's This American Life, get in the archives and start seeing what you've been missing. Season 1 of the Showtime version of the show is phenomenal-- and you can buy it here: This American Life - Season 1. Those interested in Season 2 can check the official Showtime site
On a similar note, the best book I have ever read dealing with breaking through this type of resistance is Steven Pressfield's book, The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles. I think Pressfield should be required reading for everyone on the planet. It is one of the best books I've read in the past several years.
Thanks for the book recommendation. I'll see if I can find it at the local library.
Posted by: Ryan Wentzel | July 09, 2008 at 08:50 PM
Ron Block agrees - http://www.rabbitroom.com/?p=706 - almost bought it after his recommendation, now I need to for sure.
Posted by: Neil | July 10, 2008 at 12:17 AM
Ryan - what is this "library" you speak of? ;-) I've read about them on some history sites on the internet.
I actually just bought the book myself, so this post is a good impetus to actually read it - any idea where we can find the video now that it seems to be offline?
Posted by: David Wayne | July 10, 2008 at 12:55 PM
OK - now the video is back up - I must have clicked at the wrong time earlier.
Posted by: David Wayne | July 10, 2008 at 12:56 PM