Comments on: Just For Fun Version

By: Benz

Benz — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:36:21 +0000

I’ve been thinking a lot about this. When the pressure is low, you can be more creative, and often more effective. This is why Wayne Gretzky was the greatest–even in the Stanley Cup games, the truth is, he was still a kid who couldn’t get enough hockey.

Tyson says the same thing: “the most effective fighter is a happy fighter.”

Which is a preface to some brain research that proves essentially the same thing: if there is pressure, we react more effectively for simple tasks–bolting a on in your part of the assembly line. But without pressure, when you are having fun, it is easier to design the car.

This is why Google does laundry for their employees.

http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_on_motivation.html

By: Casey

Casey — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:57:42 +0000

In baseball there is the expression “out dumb yourself.” Meaning that when you think too hard you aren’t out smarting yourself your out dumbing yourself. I feel like everybody can suffer from this. And, I am so glad that someone as smart as you can admit to it, so I know I am not the only one.

By: Mags

Mags — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:29:04 +0000

This happens to me all the time–I can’t tell you how many times I’ve killed myself spending the entire day baking for Thanksgiving or a party and then been so bedraggled by the end of the day, I don’t even feel like eating. One of my favorite times to bake is when a friend comes over randomly and I throw something together last minute out of things lying around in my pantry: it’s a puzzle, it’s improv, it’s social, and we eat it with an unspoken agreement not to judge. Thanksgiving Day has to be perfect, any other day, people are just grateful you tried–even if it’s mediocre, it seems special.

It seems that the harder I try the more likely I am to fail because I’m not going with my instinct. Don’t over think things and don’t force yourself to write when there’s nothing there–and when it does come to you at three in the morning, have a pen and paper ready at your bedside and write whatever comes to mind. You can always edit in the morning.

By: Casey

Casey — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:42:32 +0000

I think the main fuel for my self censor is the idea “I have to put my name on this.” If I am going to represent myself I want to do it in a way I can be proud of.

As far as focus, I am focused in the sense that I have kept this guy going for a while, but unfocused in that I am frustrated that I can’t always keep stuff thematic.

By: CharlesHo

CharlesHo — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:48:13 +0000

I think the external criticism factor might be intrinsically linked to the self censor, if you think about it. What’s prompting you to censor yourself? Is it the fear about the end product and how it’ll be received? From what I have read here, you seem to have a deep passion for the subjects in which you immerse yourself. I wouldn’t let your censor get in your way.

Myself? I enjoy a number of things, but in the same way a dog enjoys a scent, here one second, then easily distracted by the next, then back again. ;) I wish I could manifest the same focus for my creative endeavors that you do.