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Looks like we have radically different philosophies on creativity. I like your description Ryan (and admire dedication towards a goal you care about). But I ca

by messel 17y ago

Looks like we have radically different philosophies on creativity. I like your description Ryan (and admire dedication towards a goal you care about). But I can't help but feel you can burn yourself out if you're not careful. I find my own work effectiveness to vary. Sometimes I'm a machine, cranking out great code/ideas but at other times my brain really does prefer other input/stimuli. Of course spending time with my fiance is always energizing. Going for long walks is my reset/refresh, checking out a museum or movie helps to. Browsing HN or other social shares is great to.

RyanMcGreal 17y ago
I don't think my philosophy is radically different from yours. My experience is similar to yours, and in fact I'm only really productive when I have a lot of (too many?) projects on the go. I'm not suggesting you should commit every waking moment to a project until it's completed (if I did, I'd be guilty of the worst hypocrisy). Rather, I'm suggesting that if you want to complete a creative project, you need to commit to regular work on it, starting now and not at some unspecified point in the future.
- messel 17y ago
  Right on. Looks like we have more in common than I first guessed. Once you are "ready" you've got to spend your time and effort (over sometimes very long periods) into transferring abstract concepts into concrete/shareable products. Bookmarked your post for later reading: http://quandyfactory.com/blog/1/productivity_and_procrastination http://quandyfactory.com/blog/1/productivity_and_procrastina... Glad I read your post, now I found a couple of others to read. (you Pointed to Paul Graham: http://www.paulgraham.com/procrastination.html http://www.paulgraham.com/procrastination.html & John Perry: http://www.structuredprocrastination.com/ http://www.structuredprocrastination.com/ ) Looks like procrastination is a hot topic for many of us.
  - RyanMcGreal 17y ago
    The secret to procrastination is to do it productively. :)

by messel 17y ago

RyanMcGreal 17y ago

I don't think my philosophy is radically different from yours. My experience is similar to yours, and in fact I'm only really productive when I have a lot of (too many?) projects on the go. I'm not suggesting you should commit every waking moment to a project until it's completed (if I did, I'd be guilty of the worst hypocrisy). Rather, I'm suggesting that if you want to complete a creative project, you need to commit to regular work on it, starting now and not at some unspecified point in the future.

messel 17y ago
Right on. Looks like we have more in common than I first guessed. Once you are "ready" you've got to spend your time and effort (over sometimes very long periods) into transferring abstract concepts into concrete/shareable products. Bookmarked your post for later reading: http://quandyfactory.com/blog/1/productivity_and_procrastination http://quandyfactory.com/blog/1/productivity_and_procrastina... Glad I read your post, now I found a couple of others to read. (you Pointed to Paul Graham: http://www.paulgraham.com/procrastination.html http://www.paulgraham.com/procrastination.html & John Perry: http://www.structuredprocrastination.com/ http://www.structuredprocrastination.com/ ) Looks like procrastination is a hot topic for many of us.
- RyanMcGreal 17y ago
  The secret to procrastination is to do it productively. :)