This really is an interesting and faceted topic. There are certainly valid arguments to be made both ways, but from a personal perspective, I've grown to appre

This really is an interesting and faceted topic. There are certainly valid arguments to be made both ways, but from a personal perspective, I've grown to appreciate the idea of setting aggressive deadlines on creative work. By nature, I've always been a perfectionist and tinkerer, and while there are benefits to that mentality, there are also severe drawbacks. The inability to start or finish projects being at the top of that list. I've found that setting (and sticking to) aggressive deadlines provides me with a focus and directive that I simply can't get from working any other way. There is a liberating feeling in the idea of not coveting any single project or piece of work. This sounds counter-intuitive, but when you see each piece of work as a result of whatever constraints you're working within, rather than a cherished opus that will define your life for years to come, it releases a lot of pressure and allows you to focus. I think it's safe to say that a lot of artists wouldn't be where they are were it not for their willingness to experiment often and fail often.