If you can’t do it justice, leave it alone.I can’t help but feeling like so many things would be better if this piece of advice were applied. One such example is The Munsters’ Scary Little Christmas. Sure, it’s over ten years old – but I’ve only just seen it for the first time, so it’s news to me. And though typically I am loathe to be heavy-handed criticizing anyone’s creative efforts, I’m comfortable labeling this as utter crap.Sure, there are more important things in the world – but I grew up on the likes of the Munsters and the Addams Family. So this is my childhood you’re besmirching, Mister Liebmann. This is my history you’re turning into a joke, Mister Emes. This is my ‘happier time’ that you’re making into a big steaming pile, Mister Haas.And it is not appreciated.
Large Weather We’re Having.
This is how it happens, really. I build the new blog, make a few posts over a few days… then get busy, fall off the wagon… and finally stare at the most recent entry starting to gather dust and think… sooooo. What to write about.The truth is, I talk all day along.Seriously, all day.Instant messages.Basecamp entries.Emails.Skype chats.Skype voice.Phone calls.iChat conferences.Authoring documents.Twittering (some).And that’s just work related. Sure, I design too – and I build. But the halcyon days that I can just slip purely into a creation role and ignore most communication are few and far between. More often, my creative work is dotted with various forms of communication all throughout it. And that’s not to say that I’m antisocial; it isn’t that I dislike talking to people. Rather, it’s this: at the end of the work day, I have made so much chatter that I’m often compelled to just be quiet. Even I get tired of listening to me some days.You might have noticed – that being compelled to be quiet… and being compelled to blog… are in direct opposition to one another. The crosswinds are enough to create bizarre doldrums filled with ‘draft’ posts in various stages of completion, from a single sentence that didn’t go anywhere to three paragraphs that you just can’t seem to end properly.No, it’s not really a tragedy that I have trouble staying committed to blogging – but it does annoy me enough to ponder it.And who knows. One day when I am wildly successful at happily publishing daily, I may delete this post. For now… my commitment to publishing will have to be satisfied by me saying… I’m going to have to get better at this publishing thing.
Talking to Myself.
Just last night, I made a post that said this:
Work: I enjoy my work, and I enjoy my job – as much as anyone can expect to, anyway. But I’m pretty well tired of tap-dancing around people who can’t handle hearing that they’re failing. Hey – guess what. You fail. I fail. We already know you’re good at what you do, it doesn’t mean you don’t screw up. When you do, can we just admit it and move on to fixing it? I’d like to do the same when I screw up, if that’s cool with everyone. I move for no more complicated scenario building for how nothing is anyone’s fault or everyone’s fault. I don’t care whose fault it is, I just want to fix it and get on with things. Please. Pleeeeeease.
And I’d now like to add the other end of the spectrum to that.Can we also not flip out as though one failure means that someone has gone totally off the reservation and should now possibly be shot on sight? It’s just as tedious as musical blame chairs, really – and a huge waste of emotional energy. A stupid mistake does not mean someone’s IQ or talent has suddenly evaporated. It does not mean they are suddenly incapable of doing their job. If heads need to roll for some other reason, then just say that. But please, for the love of all that is sane – could we maybe not act as though they’re suddenly a body snatcher that needs to be dealt with?