Whoops, the building’s on fire
Oh, hi friends!
I am good at finding a penny on the sidewalk, but will miss the fact that a building’s on fire.
I'm more likely to spot an additional space between words on the page proof of a magazine layout, than to see that a huge image is illustrating the wrong story.
Being detail-oriented is a good thing (according to every job listing written since 1962), but missing the macro comes with consequences.
As I was chatting with my friend Bairam yesterday, we talked about how scrutinizing the little things can make you miss the bigger picture.
It’s like asking yourself, “Did I check every job board and hit my quota of applying for five jobs today?” without asking yourself, “What kind of career do I want?"
Or spending hours cleaning and pruning your inbox without asking yourself, “How is clicking through 4,539 newsletters helping my work?” (But I am always grateful if you click through mine!)
Today I’m going to look at my day and see if my little things are pulling their weight. Because the little things add up to your life.
“When you actually start, there is no time to overthink.
You stop reordering your to-do list and actually do. You stop worrying about writing and actually write. You stop wondering if you’re going to be good enough because your brain has a new toy to play with—the task that’s right in front of you.”
I wonder what would happen if I added up all the time I’ve spent waiting around to feel ready? I'd probably pass out. Because the lesson is always the same: Confidence comes after you start working—not before.
My friend Lizzie is looking to sublet her lovely 1-bedroom apartment in Bed-Stuy in Brooklyn for the month of June or July, or for a few weeks somewhere around in there, if you or anyone you know is looking for a crash pad! She lives on the parlor floor of a brownstone one block from the Utica stop on the A/C line. Lotta light, lotta plants. Email her at lizzie.crocker@gmail.com for more details!
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Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara