Thursday 4 August 2011

Those Who Do It Do It

Everyone needs encouragement. Everyone needs a push. Everyone goes through dry spells.

But if it's six months later and you're still saying to your friend "Start the script!" or "send me the DVD" then don't bother.

When you add up the pep-talks and Facebook messages you realize you've spent 20 hours encouraging one person who has yet to spend 7 minutes creating their blog or filming their scene or applying for that job.

Those who want to do it do it. I'm doing this stuff every day. Even those do-ers who have stressful office jobs and grumpy kids to feed still find ways to put the hours in.

There are some people I know who I love to pieces, they're genuinely wonderful, fascinating people; but they're not doing the work. They're talking about doing the work and they're talking about starting the project next month or next year-- just like they did last month and last year.

It takes so long to get good. You've gotta be busy failing and getting rejected every single day. Those who sit at home rejecting themselves before anyone else can, they're a drain on your time and energy.

Do the work. And help others who are doing the work. And appreciate that some people are suffering and hurting and struggling, and for a while they can't do the work. Everyone goes through that.

But those who say they'll do the work but never do-- those waiting for the summer to end or the Olympics to start before they work, they're just wasting away.

Everyone has a dream. You're either someone who does it or someone who tweets quotes about doing it but never does. And either way is fine. But if you're creative, you have to focus on the job. It takes so long to get great and we have to put the hours in. Ask anyone who made it and they'll tell you the exact same thing.

Care to share?

6 comments:

  1. Thank you, Kid, I needed to hear that!

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  2. Words of wisdom. Might actually have to pay attention to them... :)

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  3. This is exactly what I needed to read right now. Thanks, kid.

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  4. Sitting at home rejecting oneself won't take one too far. Sage advice, Kid.

    Nobody wants to waste their time. Nor should they. ;)

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  5. Thank you for those words which reinforce how I feel but not always act on. Some days I have to force myself to pick up the sketchbook and pencils and I am not sure why because I love drawing. I guess it is a sort of discipline that goes with the desire? Anyway I do love your posts on creativity. Your sincerity is so encouraging.

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