Ground Rules

I purchased this domain and made my first post. Now what? Well, for starters I should probably lay out some ground rules for myself.

First off, I have no interest in pretending to be an authority on anything other than my own first hand experiences. Second, I want to keep what I have to say each post short(ish) and to the point. Third, I want to share a little about my trials and tribulations in the pursuit of this idea of “Do Less Comma Better”. Fourth, my goal is to post once a week and engage with comments that seek to add depth to the post.

With that said, here is some background about how I personally process the world in the hopes that it will clarify why I think Do Less Comma Better is important. My imagination moves fast and casts a big net. This is a great asset for someone that enjoys creating things, teaching, and more. But it can also be a problem.

Here’s an example. I like watching various woodworkers online showing projects and processes. Once in awhile they will make use of a tool that looks slick and isn’t currently in my arsenal. My imagination takes the cue and begins the fireworks. First I think about the budget issue of if I can afford it. Then I think about where I can store it. I don’t currently have a spot available which clearly means I have to create new storage or update my current storage because I like a very organized woodshop. Next I start (mentally) designing new cabinets, drawers, dividers, and the like so that everything has the perfect place that is efficient and glorious to look at. Inevitably along the way I discover (still in my mind) four or five additional tools that would make the construction of the fictitious new storage system easier and better and of course those new additions require a re-design of the already re-designed mental model of the shop that doesn’t exist. Simultaneously I’m planning new projects with the as-yet-unpurchased-future-tools and devising places for these tables, cabinets, and decorative pieces that will adorn some idyllic mental house (which incidently will now need new paint and flooring to match the future objects that I have not yet made). Of course this whole process takes about 2 seconds.

I’ve done this in nearly every aspect of my creative life as long as I can remember. The outcome usually ends up being resignation that none of my imagined futures are achievable within my current resources, or starting on the project and never progressing very far once the reality of the task becomes clear.

My strategy of late is that after the above process plays out, I write down in exhaustive detail, ever sequential step required. This has done three things for me. One, it forces me to assign time required to every step. When I imagine a big project, I’ve discovered that mentally I don’t account for time required, which is a problem if you are trying to bring that idea into the world. Two, once I see clearly everything required it becomes much easier for me to cost-benefit whether or not tacking this idea is worthy of my time. Third, once I begin on this idea I can check of single tasks at a time and get the satisfaction of slowly progressing through the 271 required steps to completion.

Hampering the way my “idea machine” is not the goal. I love the process of asking “what if” and seeing where it leads. My core challenge is how I bridge the gap between my ideas and how I “Do Less Comma Better” for maximum impact.