In my last post I mentioned wanting to take time to write about what “rules” would work for me in life, referencing the chapter on Seth Godin in Tim Ferriss’ book Tools of Titans.
There are no real rules, so make rules that work for you. (241)
What do I mean by “rules”? I guess guidelines might be a better word. Or principles. Principles and guidelines to help me live more authentically, and decide each moment how I want to use the precious time allotted to me? In the words of Mary Oliver:
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
I want to create. And I want space for creativity. I love wide berths of space around obligations, to sit, walk, think, and let my mind wander.
I love how Thoreau puts it (quoted by Maria Popova in Tools of Titans):
The really efficient laborer will be found not to crowd his day with work, but will saunter to his task surrounded by a wide halo of ease and leisure. There will be a wide margin for relaxation to his day. He is only earnest to secure the kernels of time, and does not exaggerate the value of the husk.” (408)
With that in mind, here’s what I’ve learned:
If I do not think about how I want to fill my days, my days will be filled for me
In order to think about what I want, and how I want to spend my time, I need to make time for writing. Writing helps me organize and unblock thoughts that keep me from creativity. Think The Artist’s Way (Julia Cameron).
There is no excuse for not doing the things I want
There will always be limitations of time, money, attention, and resources. There are countless people, with fewer resources and privilege, and more limitations, who have done more than I ever will.
I want to view limitations more as creative constraints. Boundaries to work within, rather than walls to climb over.
Regarding time: I always have a choice in what I say “yes” and “no” to. To make space for creativity, I need to say “no” more.
Social media apps are designed to be addicting
Social media has been incredibly helpful for reaching people across the world with my music. However, it can be incredibly distracting.
It has also become less helpful over time for organic reach, because Meta, TikTok, and YouTube have changed their recommendation algorithms. Meta and TikTok particularly prioritize:
- Viral content (to get and keep your attention)
- Advertised and shop content (to get your money)
So what do I want my relationship with social media to be like?
I think, given the current landscape, unless I advertise or make more engaging content, I acknowledge that my online organic reach will only go so far. I’ve experimented with advertising, which has been incredibly helpful with new releases and selling vinyls. Sometimes I think, “Ideally I’ll figure out how to make more engaging content.” However, even as I write this I realize, it’s not primarily how I want to spend my time. Again, from Tools of Titans, Popova says:
When Kurt Vonnegut wrote ‘Write to please just one person,’ what he was really saying was write for yourself. Don’t try to please anyone but yourself…. The second you start doing it for an audience, you’ve lost the long game because creating something that is rewarding and sustainable over the long run requires, most of all, keeping yourself excited about it…. Trying to predict what [an audience will] be interested in and kind of pretzeling yourself to fit those expectations, you soon begin to begrudge it and become embittered—and it begins to show in the work. It always, always shows in the work when you resent it. And there’s really nothing less pleasurable to read than embittered writing. (410)
The same goes for music. Writing for others has always left me feeling empty. When I truly write for myself, for the joy of it, that is where the magic is.
Somehow I forget, again and again, that trying to fit myself into molds that corporate entities have defined for me, is the death knell for creativity.
So the answer is not “create more engaging content”. That is chasing an ever elusive goal, created by board room executives. Vanity metrics (views, likes, time watched, shares, etc.) are external pressures and constraints placed on us by corporations whose end-goal is solely the maximization of profits, not creative flourishing.
I am again reminded that the important thing is to do the work, day in, and day out. Show up, everyday, uncompromisingly. I already know what I am supposed to be doing. I just need to keep doing it, and stop trying to re-invent the wheel.