If you want to do great work you have to interface with others—learn what they have figured out, find collaborators who can extend your vision, and other support. The trick is doing this without losing yourself. What solitude gives you is an opportunity to study what personal curiosity feels like in its undiluted form, free from the interference of... See more

Of course, what is truly ambitious is to face life and proceed with quiet confidence in spite of the distractions. Let others grasp at crutches. It will be a lonely fight to be real, to say “I’m not going to take the edge off.” To say, “I am going to be myself, the best version of that self. I am in this for the long game, no matter how brutal it

... See more

It's a tricky game because you do need to be aware of best practices, what works, what doesn't, etc - that's how you grow and learn to stand out.

But at the same time, you always need to return to the question:

"Why do I create? What do I create for?"

And of all the answers that arise, understand your primary and secondary reasons.

For me, primary

... See more

It takes years. https://t.co/s675i2BZ7I

Every meaningful pursuit has a long valley in the middle. The excitement of the beginning has worn off and the anticipation of the end is nowhere to be found. The ability to go dark during that valley is a major life cheat code.

Disappear. Turn inward. Don’t explain yourself. Embrace the silent struggle.

The people who can do that will find a way to... See more