I woke up one day to this blog post from Seth Godin and it struck a chord with me. Specifically a musical chord since I am trying to progress as a musician, but other types of creativity as well.
It’s tempting to do what’s been done before, certain in the belief that if you do it, it’ll be a little better and a little more popular, merely because you’re the one doing it. In fact, though, that’s unlikely. You’ll care more, but it’s unlikely the market will. Consider the alternative, which is choosing to turn the question upside down, to do it backwards, sideways, or in a significantly more generous or risky way. Remarkable often starts with the problem you set out to solve and the way you choose to solve it. – Seth Godin
You might be familiar with the idea that everything is a remix. There really are no new or original ideas. We are constantly influenced by something that has been done before. It’s not our fault either. Our minds build realities and thoughts around things you are aware of. That’s something you don’t have control over.
You do have control over what you want to learn.
Doing something you have never done before has an equal opportunity for failure and education. It is also a chance to just prove to yourself that you are in fact capable of something you have never achieved. Rather than seeing a remix of a past success of someone else, see your personal experience in that activity as a chance to prove to yourself that you are better than you think you are.
The human spirit is an impeccable beast.
Yeah I just said that weird phrase. Go ahead and say it with a funny accent. You need a laugh right now. This conversation is getting a bit serious. Haha.
When you finally are able to do something you have never done it’s an incredible feeling. It makes you feel stronger, more capable and incredibly happy. It’s pure bliss. And that is why you should do things you have never done before.
It shouldn’t be about if it’s been done before. It should be have you done it yet? What was your experience like?
Your goals should be different and focused on you.
There are almost infinite ways to approach a specific activity or project. The variable that causes this is the goal or focus. There is a specific paragraph from an article by Stephanie Kaptein on 99u.
Comparison is dangerous because we lose focus of our own goals. We get distracted by someone else’s achievements and feel discouraged about our own progress. Becker emphasizes that everyone has messy process, whether we see it or not. The key is to keep your eyes on your own work, and not lose sight of the hard work everyone has to do to get to the shiny highlight-reel-only we see on their social media profiles. Looking to others is important for inspiration and learning, but not analyzing. Comparison should only be done with yourself. Set achievements that are important to you and celebrate them when they are reached.
When you do what someone else has done your goals are probably not the same as theirs. And that’s a good thing. The goals you have need to be tailored to what you wish to get out of it. If you are looking for recognition and popularity, you set yourself up for disaster, just as Seth Godin described.
The key is to pursue ideas for the pure joy of experience and growth within your goals. If what you are doing becomes contagious among others, then popularity will organically happen. That’s when you know you are doing something right. Aiming for popularity never ends well. Reaching for a better self reaps greater value.
Has there been something you have been wanting to try for yourself?
Here’s some food for thought.
What is your true goal?
Why do you want to do it?
How can you give back to others through it?
