The Practice: Shipping Creative Work

We have to be able to say “it’s not for you” and mean it. The work exists to serve someone, to change someone, to make something better. In order to be popular, to reach the masses, we often have to sacrifice the very change we sought to make. Change someone. And, as Hugh MacLeod said, “Ignore everyone.”

Creativity is an act of leadership. Leaders are imposters.

The world expects that its requests will be accepted. That assignments, lunch dates, new projects, and even favors will get a yes. It’s just a small ask, the person thinks. The problem is obvious—if you spend all day hitting the ball back, you’ll never end up serving.

“Do what you love” is for amateurs. “Love what you do” is the mantra for professionals.

Creativity is a choice, it’s not a bolt of lightning from somewhere else.

The practice is not the means to the output, the practice is the output, because the practice is all we can control.

Reassurance is futile—and focusing on outcomes at the expense of process is a shortcut that will destroy your work.

Once you decide to trust your self, you will have found your passion. You’re not born with it, and you don’t have just one passion. It’s not domain-specific: it’s a choice. Our passion is simply the work we’ve trusted ourselves to do.

And I feel like an imposter often. That’s because my best work involves doing things I’ve never done before.