Time, Attention, and Creative Work. After 4 years and a lot of productivity pr0n, we’re shifting gears. Re-learn how to use 43 Folders. Then back to work. [»]
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43Folders.com is Merlin Mann’s website about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work.
Real Advice HurtsMerlin Mann | Dec 3 2008
In the wonderful Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott talks about the incredible, ripping pain she felt after having her tonsils removed. All she wanted to do was chug pain killers and let the stupid thing heal, but, Anne’s doctor gave her some advice that she found as unbelievable as it was painful: he told her to chew some gum. Turns out that, as with a lot of injuries, the entirely sensible impulse to protect and baby a wounded area was the opposite of what Anne actually needed in order to fix the problem. So, by enduring the excruciating pain of chewing gum for just a few minutes, the muscles in her throat suddenly unclenched, and Anne’s pain went away forever. The advice Anne wanted wasn’t the advice she needed. And, like we all eventually learn, the best advice you’ll get in life hurts like hell at the time. Because it has to. And, maybe that’s part of what what bugs me about all the “tips.” read more » POSTED IN:
Photography, and the Tolerance for Courageous SuckingMerlin Mann | Dec 1 2008As I’ve started shooting photos more often, I’ve picked up on some interesting patterns: habits, if you like. And, as I struggle to absorb the insane physics of capturing light with some glass and a black box, I accept upfront that the improvements to my actual photos will be slow, incremental, and, largely undetectable to anybody but me — a fact that’s never more painfully clear than when I swoon over the work of the more talented friends who inspire me (Heather, Ryan and Chris each come to mind here). But, being instantly great at this couldn’t be further from the point. Although I started taking photos to become a better photographer, I keep taking them because I’ve learned to love the process. And, luckily, at least as far as I can tell, dedication to the process can’t help but make you a better photographer — or a better whatever, for that matter. read more » POSTED IN:
Sample Chapter from "The Creative Habit"Merlin Mann | Dec 1 2008The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life (Free 1st Chapter) As long as I’ve outed myself as an obsessive fan of Twyla Tharp’s The Creative Habit, it seems sensible to point you to this free excerpt of the book, which includes the full text of the book’s first chapter. While it doesn’t capture the clear-eyed usefulness of the book nearly as satisfyingly as each subsequent chapter does, it will give you a feel for why this book’s different from your garden-variety aspirational artist porn — this woman does not believe in “natural genius,” and she damned well expects you to work your ass off, every day: read more » POSTED IN:
Louis C.K. on Starting Over; Carlin's Artful ProcessMerlin Mann | Nov 26 2008ILIS Interviews Louis C.K. - AST Forums
Instead of going conservative by gluing new treads onto old tires, he did something tantamount to suicide for a working comic; he threw out his whole set and started over. read more » POSTED IN:
Twyla Tharp, on Failing WellMerlin Mann | Nov 26 2008YouTube - Twyla Tharp on the Subject of Motivation and Creativity As I get older, I’ve learned to really appreciate people who are smart, opinionated, and ornery — yet still have the plasticity of mind to synthesize new ideas and be okay with sometimes failing. Feels like a big pattern for making this stuff work over time. POSTED IN:
Driving Around the BuffaloMerlin Mann | Nov 26 2008
It’s purely coincidental that today is my 42nd birthday, right? Eh. Maybe. Still, seems like as good a day as any to tell you what I’ve been thinking about, so, here’s a little present to myself. read more » POSTED IN:
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Inbox ZeroThe original 43 Folders series looking at the skills, tools, and attitude needed to empty your email inbox — and then keep it that way. Don’t miss the free video of Merlin’s Inbox Zero presentation. Making Time3-part series on attention management for artists and makers. Read Bad Correspondence, The Job You Think You Have, and One Clear Line. |
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