We become creative when we ship the work

Not the other way around

It’s not complicated, but it’s surprising.

The work makes us who we are.

If you want to be a runner, go running. Go running every day and now you’re a runner.

And the same simple approach works for anyone who signs up to do work we call creative.

Do the work, ship the work, now you’re creative.

Not the other way around.

Don’t wait for it to be perfect.

Don’t wait to be inspired.

And don’t wait for someone to give you a badge or a diploma or a label.

Simply do the work.

Ship the work.

Repeat.

Of course, your early work won’t be the answer to whatever question you’re asking. That’s not the job of the early work. The job is to open the door for the next round of work.

Hitting a piñata is difficult. After all, you’re blindfolded. Now, imagine trying to hit one on the very first try, with certainty.

Far better to realize that finding your way forward involves swinging the stick.

We do the work and then we become creative.