How to make something good (by watching something bad)
Oh, hi friends!
One of my favorite things is to see a play, musical, movie, or TV series that I love and which inspires me.
One of my other favorite things is to see a play, musical, movie or TV series that I very much do NOT love.*
Maybe it’s fun to hate on something a little bit.
Maybe it’s because it makes me appreciates what I do like much more.
Or maybe it’s because it can light a fire under you to make something yourself.
The same idea holds true for working or interviewing at a job you don’t really want — the notion of doing that from 9-to-5 can spur you to greater or just different heights.
That’s why it pays to try things. It’s all in the contrast.
(*This Brass Ring Daily was brought to you by Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which I very much did not love.)
Photo by Daryan Shamkhali on Unsplash
See your escape.
Dripping down bricks.
See how they drape,
Playing their tricks.
“If you want to simplify your day, then don’t complicate it by juggling multiple projects, tasks, or even ideas at once.”
This was a quick and helpful story by Josh Spector with seven strategies for streamlining your day. And yes, even though this advice about monotasking sounds simple, of course it’s much more difficult to execute.
I wanted to share how this has played out in my own life — when I was first writing (and later editing), finishing an entire piece top to bottom would take days (and that's generous...). I’d make false starts, get distracted, double-back, etc.
Later when I had to put out the culture section every week at Newsweek, I realized…I don’t have that much time! So while the days were filled with meetings and brainstorming and other time-sucking activities, I’d usually do most of the heavy editing at night after people had gone home. No one was around, and I wanted to leave soon, so my concentration wouldn’t break. Lo and behold, I realized editing an 800-word story actually only took an hour or two?!
When I became a freelance writer and editor, I had to learn this lesson all over again. Yes, you need time to research and digest, but the more you force yourself to work from top to bottom (or vice versa) and try to complete something, the more you realize you can do this again and again. That’s how last week I wrote a song in an hour — something I hadn’t done all year!
Does this make sense outside of my weird little brain? One way to try it: Look at the clock and note the time when you start in on something, then try to stay focused, and note the time again when you’re done. I promise you will surprised.
Some Monday mood music, courtesy of Lucinda Williams. “Compassion” was adapted from a poem written by her father Miller Williams. (hat tip to Richard Bruno!)
Have compassion for everyone you meet
Even if they don’t want it
What seems conceit is always a sign
Always a sign, always a sign
For those you encounter, have compassion
Even if they don’t want it
What seems bad manners is always a sign
Always a sign, always a sign
Do you like these daily emails? Please share with a friend!
Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara