GarthBox

Every artist is torn between two philosophies – one of perfect or one of speed to market/feedback/contribution/etc.

The remarkable artists, though, are the ones that seek out the optimal blend of near-perfect and near-fastest.

Consider the concept of counting viable and dead yeast cells.

To explain, a sample of yeast is collected, diluted to proper cell density and then filled in a hemocytometer and observed through a microscope. Peering through the microscope, you’ll see 5 x 5 grid and within each square is a 4 x 4 grid. The perfectionist will say to count the cells in every square. The speedster will say count the cells in one square and move on. Both scenarios will either hinder or hurt the result or impact that can be made. So the optimally agreed-upon method is to count the squares in the four corners and the center, run some basic math that assumes that collective count is the same and keep the work moving forward.

It’s not the fastest way forward. It’s not the perfect way forward. It is, however, the most efficient way.

And efficient artists are the ones that build the most stable following the quickest; the ones that create meaningful change with minimal disruption; the ones that can bring something remarkable to market the fastest.

Stay Positive & Seek The Balance

Photo credit

There are bound to be moments that the pocket opens.

The QB has a chance to run it for a first down. The motorcyclist gets told the ride they were eyeing is available for a test drive – but only this afternoon. The boss tells you they have a new, more senior opportunity in a different division and you have first dibs.

When your pocket opens will you be ready to leap?

It might not be open today, but you can start imagining the positive scenario today – it makes it far easier to lean in later by starting to lean in now.

Stay Positive & Leaping Isn’t Reckless If It’s Anticipated

Photo credit

It’s accurate and not accurate to note something major has happened in a particular moment.

Perhaps it was experienced in that moment; a love found, a motorcycle purchased, a donor acquired.

But if you peel back the moment, you begin to see the thousands that led up to it.

The thinking and planning and ruminating about it. The slight shift in decisions we made to get to where we are at now. The outside influences (again, outside our control) that have moved to align with this moment.

This is why there is no such thing as an overnight success.

It’s also why it’s important to focus on the details that might lead up to what you want – whether you recognize them in hindsight or not, they matter in the journey of getting what you want in the moment.

Stay Positive & Plant More Seeds

Photo credit

I agree with Daniel Pink that regret can be a good thing.

(If you’re interested in the topic at large, get your hands on Dan’s book.)

The issue is that it can be. There’s no default setting. It requires the hardest action of us to get positive value out of it; it requires us to decide to.

We can use regret of inaction to be what drives us to take action in the future.

We can use regret of action to apologize and make things right now.

The hardship arises from the fact that we can use either of those regrets (of action or inaction) to degrade our self-worth instead of using it to change our behavior (now and/or later).

There’s no science that indicates that’s the default setting. Thus, it’s an active choice we can make to learn and grow or to have it take us on a downward spiral.

Stay Positive & Sort Of Obvious Which To Choose Then, Right?

Photo credit

In the last week I’ve been surrounded by some exceptional artists.

A brewer. A judge. A fiddler. To name a few.

One particular thread stands out from my conversations with them about how talented they are and impressed I was with their skill and how they handled particular situations. That thread is that each shared stories of how they floundered at first before they got as good as they are now.

And not just a story. Stories. Plural.

They floundered first and then again and again and again – in different ways, trying different things and learning in different ways to get as skilled as they are now.

First, just imagine how skilled they’ll be if they keep pushing the boundaries and floundering more.

Second, just imagine how relieving it is to know that’s part of the process – no need to let your mistakes degrade your self-worth.

Stay Positive & Keep Growing

Photo credit

We often don’t think of love as a skill. It should come naturally, right?

I’d argue it doesn’t. Even in the moments it feels natural, there were a series of thoughts and actions and observations we had that made us love something.

That said then, it’s not only the responsibility of a leader to train team members on the skills that help them perform the tasks and responsibilities of their respective positions, but to also train them to love the brand and it’s offerings.

When that love shines, there’s no better marketing.

Stay Positive & Passion Connects

Photo credit

There’s a place for consistent, uniform goods.

There’s a place for personalized, unique goods, too.

Either direction, there’s also the opportunity to humanize the goods; to craft or display them in a way that makes someone feel seen.

Stay Positive & More Humanity, Please

Photo credit