When we think of making a project bigger, I often think of scale – more customers, more impact, more media, more sales, more money. While there’s nothing wrong with scale, if you look at those thoughts, it’s obvious that I’m thinking about how it could be bigger for me. I […]
Category: creativity
Minimum Viable Project
You might have big dreams about how something is going to get created, or implemented, or launched. You might also have very real constraints that will prevent that optimal ideal from coming into reality – at least at the very start. Instead of being discouraged, what’s the minimum viable version […]
Doing Things Differently
There’s a cost to doing things differently, as by definition, you’re diverging from the norm.People aren’t hesitant around change and uncertainty, and the more innovative and radical you are, the most hesitancy there will be. But what might be the opportunity cost of doing things the same way as you’ve […]
Small Sprints and Experiments
I’ve first-hand realized that I excel in small bursts of activity. I’m more at ease with the flurry and pressure of a sprint than I am with the long haul. Yunzhe Zhao reinvented her life through month-long sprints, but the thing is that you don’t even need to commit to […]
For You Vs. For Others
If you’re looking to create a successful business quickly, find a need that many people have that you can fill, and fill it. If you’re looking for personal satisfaction, create things that you would love yourself. At the end of the day, you need to decide if what you’re offering […]
Feeding the Birds
We recently started putting out a bit of bird feed in our backyard to try and attract more birds. Intending to replenish a day’s worth of feed in our homemade bird feeder, I ended up spilling a bunch of seeds onto the ground. What initially might look like a mistake […]
Or….
“I have to choose between these options” or “These are my options right now.” “I’m stuck” or “I’m feeling stuck and I’m curious as to what’s blocking me.” “So what? I don’t care” or “So what? Are you going to let that stop you?” “I’ve always screwed it up” or […]
Judo of Constraints
I never really got into martial arts as a kid for a few reasons – the first is that my primary interest in martial arts was learning how to be a ninja, and the second is that I hated the rigors and discipline that is the basis of martial arts. […]
The Great Equalizer
People try to exert status in all sorts of ways. Having their admin bring you coffee. Driving a sports car. Accessorizing with designer watches and handbags. Lifting tons of weight at the gym. Casually mentioning the Amazon best-seller book they wrote. Even if they’re smarter, more conventionally attractive, wealthier, more […]
Expert Sourpuss
I will occasionally see people raving about some highly-edited artist’s process video that blows their mind. Think VR painting, or the whole “paint it upside down then flip the canvas.” I’m somewhat embarrassed to say my first instinct is sometimes “Eh, that’s just showy, they could have achieved the exact […]