Doing Less and Creating More

I learned a lot about creativity with one year of 📫 Side Notes. I’m aware of its power and more convinced all humans share a deep desire to create. Once an idea takes flight, it can take a life of its own. It’s fun to watch something you create become something you didn’t expect. I’m certain this letter will continue to change and I strive for the better. Some of my ideas were ok, but the writing was poor. I hope to improve my writing noticeably. Thanks for hanging in there, especially during those first few letters. I'm happy I began and put some words out there.
 
Ira Glass explains this concept more eloquently:

“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you.

A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work.
 
Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions.”

For this next year, I plan to recall a mantra - “Do Less, Create More.”  Doing less will allow me to focus on what I value the most. This will push me to dive deeper into current projects to see where they lead. Paradoxically, I hope to accomplish more, by “doing less”.  
 
This Side Notes letter makes the cut and will be sticking around for 2020! It pushes me to discover new ideas and be curious in my daily life. It will remain a way for me to connect themes across what I’m reading and point out generally good things. A few of this year's good things consisted of Friendship, Psychological Health, Wisdom, and Mountains. 

Alongside more good things, I expect to focus on what I’m most interested in, such as Experience Creation. My absolute favorite thing is gathering with good people for shared experiences and meaningful connections. My background in event planning paired with a love for exploring, good meals, and courageous friendships all funnel my thoughts to the importance of strong relationships (work, personal, creative, etc.) in our lives and how to seek them out.
 
One project that I’m excited to share (slightly) more about in the coming weeks is a retreat with a diverse group of friends happening in February. Myself and ten others will head to the mountains for some fresh air and energy. We will spend time undistracted and use each other as idea testers and a sounding board of support. The stronger and more open the group is, the higher the tide may rise. Or at least I hope.