Yeah, I know. It’s too simple, right? But it really works.
Step 1: You Make It
You write it, record it, paint it, sculp it, film it, bake it, do it. You get it down. You get it done. You make it real.
You can’t do anything with it until you make it. You can’t tweak it or crop it or redo it. So you just gotta make it. There’s no way to fake it.
Step 2: You Make It Better
Here’s where the fun begins. You get to monkey with it, toy with it, turn it about and look at it. You get to think about it, talk about it, ask others what they think of it. If you don’t like it, you can try it again but you can’t try it again until you do step one.
So what are you waiting for? It’s an easy dance to learn. Step one, step two. Step one, step two. And so on and so on and so on for the rest of your life, and what a life it is.
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Amen
Hi Ken,
I couldn’t agree more. This week I’m teaching myself how to sculpt cat heads. The first iteration looks like a demented rabbit, the second one a little closer to an anime cat, and the third attempt looks even better, more realistic…like my two cats who are getting tired of being models and wondering where their compensation is.
With each practice I learn more about kitty’s bone structure and begin to see each component as certain shapes. It takes some trial and error, a bit of frustration, and quite a few laughs.
-Amy
You heard it here first. This even works with cat heads.
I once sang with a director who encouraged people to make mistakes. He claimed that he couldn’t do anything to make improvements unless sound comes out of people’s mouths. And as a scientist, I treasure mistakes I’ve made. You need to keep track of them so you don’t keep making the same mistakes over and over again.
Oh, I’ll let you keep track of them. I like making the same mistakes. I just make them in different ways.
Well you know I totally believe in this.
Who knew that the process I’ve been using for the last 6 years to make the ultimate chocolate chip cookie could work for my business too?
Love the post. Thanks for the inspiration! – Alicia (aka @AliciaSanera)
A better chocolate chip cookie? Now, that’s something I can support whole heartedly!
This is so true about writing. Clear writing sometimes takes decades to complete. But you gotta do it first. Great advice.-
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